4-H Youth Development
Locally over 500 youth participate in 4-H. Our program can be divided into three areas: Camping, Community Programming and School-based programming.
Camping: Madison youth have the opportunity to participate in several summer camping programs offered locally, through the Northern Virginia 4-H Center and other 4-H Centers across the state. Each June approximately 70 youth ages 9 - 13 load the buses and travel to Front Royal for five days of 4-H Junior camp fun! While at camp youth participate in fun classes, have time for swim and recreation and enjoy nightly campfire.! Besides Junior camp local youth have the opportunity to participate in other specialty camps offered by the NOVA 4-H center including: Outdoor adventure camps, Horse camp, Cloverbud camp and more. Madison also hosts a regional Stockman's camp for those youth interested in the livestock industry and livestock judging. Each summer approximately 20 teens participate in a 4 month in-depth leadership program which trains them to serve as teen counselors for the camping program.
Community Programming: Madison currently has seven active 4-H clubs including: Adventure Club, Centaurs Horse Club, Dairy Club, Helping Hands, Home Ec Club, Livestock Club and Menagerie Club. Youth can also participate in 4-H through the Share-the-Fun Talent Show and Summer Workshops. Madison 4-H also partners with the local Boys and Girls club to provide educational programming.
School-based Programming: Madison 4-H partners with the local school system on several programs. The third grade classes participate in a year long Agriculture and Natural resources program. Monthly class room lessons and a field day reinforce SOL topics and help students learn the importance that Agriculture and Natural Resources plays in their lives. The fourth grade presentation contest help students learn and practice their oral presentation skills. The embryology program teaches students about science and respect for life. Students hatch chicks in the classroom and witness the exciting miracle of life. Students take the responsibilities of caring for the fertilized eggs and then the chicks after they have hatched. Following each session, the hatched birds are given to local farmers.