While many traditional youth organizations seem to be shrinking, or disappearing altogether, there appears to be one bright spot with 4-H.

A new club is ready to begin meeting in Chester, with the first official gathering set to take place Oct. 1 at the Chester Municipal Building. It is being assisted through the efforts of the Hancock County Family Support Center.

There also are efforts to establish a new club in Weirton, with meetings at the Mary H. Weir Public Library.

They join several already established in our area, and, to me, that’s a good thing as it provides more opportunity for our youth to learn and be involved in their communities.

All local 4-H clubs are organized under the umbrella of the WVU Extension Service, with Zach White offering guidance in Hancock County and Jason Rine in Brooke County, along with several volunteers and Extension staff.

I spent much of my youth and teen years involved in Scouting, although there was a brief excursion with 4-H in the mid 1980s when a few people tried to establish a club at Colliers Primary School. I don’t remember it lasting long enough to really do much as far as projects, but, through a quick Internet search, it appears as though other efforts were made at some point between then and the school being closed.

Other members of my family, and various friends, have been involved in the organization, either as a member or a volunteer, and I’ve seen much of the good 4-H has done.

We often think of the agricultural elements traditionally associated with the program, but it also helps to develop leadership skills and civic engagement, with hands-on activities and community projects.

In many areas, the culmination of those activities is put on display at county fairs and other community gatherings.

Hancock County no longer has an annual fair since the Oldtime Fair ceased a few years ago. I’m hopeful that, perhaps, one of these days some type of county fair can make its return.

For much of its history, though, 4-H played a big role in the fair’s operations. In the more recent years, that may have been relegated to an informational booth or some youth activities, but I can remember when local clubs were a cornerstone by presenting farm and animal projects, often with a showcase and even an auction.

It wasn’t quite as big as we see at some other county fairs, such as Jefferson County in Ohio, and Washington County in Pennsylvania, where agricultural elements are the backbone of the event, but I clearly remember attending a few fairs and seeing a series of large tents set up with some of the youth showing off their pigs, sheep, and maybe a few rabbits.

Brooke County’s 4-H clubs did participate in the Brooke County Fair this year, with a pet show, pumpking decorating contest, a kids farmers market, and other activities offered.

Each youth-based organization offers something different, both with a focus of the program and based on the age range.

Younger levels may focus more on social interaction, learning about the community, and fun activities, while older levels look toward competitions, earning achievements, or projects in service to the community.

There are camps, whether for a few hours, a couple of days, or full weeks at a time.

The point is, they are providing our youth with an outlet and a chance to learn and grow. They gain insights and experiences to the world around them, meet people their own age, pick up new skills and find ways to be involved.

I would love to see more such opportunities for our youth, and hope to see additional growth, for various youth organizations, in the future for our area.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)