Virginia 4-H Military Clubs
As military families navigate the challenges surrounding deployment, reintegration and frequent relocations, the Virginia 4-H Military Partnership provides the consistency and connection of 4-H experiences in a safe and nurturing environment. Knowing their children are in quality programs, service members can better focus on mission readiness.
Virginia 4-H Military Clubs can be found on Air Force, Army, and Navy installations across the state.
Youth of military families (Active Duty, Reserve, and Guard) have accessibility to 4-H programs in all counties and most cities.
Explore this website to learn how the Virginia 4-H Military Partnership offers opportunities for military youth to thrive..
Goal of 4-H Military Partnership:
Military readiness through 4-H positive youth development for youth, families, and communities.
Virginia 4-H
- Youth Participants: Ages 5-18
- 4-H Program Locations: All counties, most cities, and 11 military installations with 14 sites
4-H Program Areas: Civic Engagement Healthy Living STEM & Agriculture
To stay up to date on how to get involved in Virginia 4-H, visit your local 4-H program's webpage & follow them on social media. Look at the Virginia 4-H Facebook and Instagram pages.
What Is 4-H?
- 4-H is the nation's largest youth development organization that grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow.
- 4-H programs empowernearly 6 million youth across the U.S. to develop critical life skills.
- As a program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA, 4-H serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of . . .
- 110 public universities
- 3,000 local Extension offices
- 110 public universities
- Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries.
The 4-H Moto:
"To Make the Best Better"
"During 4-H club meetings, youth demonstrate more confidence in their own ideas, opinions, and abilities." - Military Child Youth Professional
"As a result of the gardening project, youth had more interest in making their own foods instead of having processed foods from stores." - Military Child Youth Professional
"I learned how to be responsible for myself and my belongings without my parents around." - Residential/Overnight Camper
"It was hard work, but it was worth it in the end." - Youth Participant of Incredible Wearables STEM Challenge
2021 National 4-H Military Partnership Report .
Did You Know?.
According to the Virginia Department of Education . . .
- Virginia has the highest number of military school-aged children in the nation.
- More than 77,000 military-connected students reside and attend public schools across the state.
History of Month of the Military Child
The Month of the Military Child provides opportunity to recognize and honor our youngest heroes, military children. Established by former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger in 1986, the Designation of April as the Month of the Military Child acknowledges the significant role military youth play in our communities. These youth face many challenges that are unique to their situation, such as having a parent deployed, frequent moves, new schools, and leaving friends. Their ability to adapt to these challenges deserves our respect.
Military 4-H Partnerships are supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, 4-H Headquarters; U.S. Army Child, Youth and School Services; U.S. Air Force Child and Youth Programs; U.S. Navy Child and Youth Programs; and Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H Program (Virginia Tech and Virginia State University) through grant funding at Kansas State University.