08/07/2026
This week, the Shallotte Rotary Club had Jamie Lester and Kayla Harris of the Brunswick County N C Cooperative Extension Service speak to us about the many programs offered through the 4-H program. What fun programs they have for Brunswick County youth! Check out what they have on their website! Find a volunteer opportunity to help youth development programs!
4-H IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY
Growing Tomorrow& #39;s Leaders, Today — A Handout for the Rotary Club
What Is 4-H?
America& #39;s largest youth development organization, delivered locally through Cooperative Extension.
Head, Heart, Hands & Health The 4 H& #39;s guide every project — building thinking skills, compassion, hands-on ability,
and healthy living.
Research-Based, Hands-On
Learning
Curriculum grounded in university research (NC State & N.C. A&T), delivered through
real projects, not lectures.
Every County, Every Age Part of the national Cooperative Extension network — active in all 100 NC counties,
serving youth ages 5-18.
Youth Voice, Adult Guidance Youth lead projects and clubs with adult and teen mentors coaching alongside them, not
directing from the front.
4-H in Brunswick County — A Snapshot
21 Schools Reached Through in-school enrichment programming across Brunswick County.
Ages 5-18 Served From Cloverbuds through teen leadership tracks.
3 Program Pillars School enrichment, community clubs, and summer camps.
Local staffing: one full-time 4-H Extension Agent and one Program Assistant coordinate all school enrichment,
community clubs, curriculum development, and county-wide events — with growing demand for volunteers, guest
speakers, and program funding.
Our Core Programs
4-H Clubs Community-based clubs including Youth Council, Youth in Action, Earth, Hoof and
Feather, and Shooting Sports.
School Enrichment (All Ages) In-classroom 4-H lessons and School Gardens delivered in partnership with
teachers across all 21 Brunswick County Schools.
Summer Camps (Ages 5-18) Hands-on camps such as Camp Spark: Junior Engineers, with teen-led activity
stations.
LIT — Leaders in Training (Ages 13-
18)
A leadership pathway for older youth to serve as counselors and mentors across
camps and clubs.
State & Regional Events (Ages 13-18) Local youth delegations attend NC 4-H Congress and other statewide leadership conferences.
This Year& #39;s Highlights
Autumn Hatcher Accepted to
National 4-H Congress
Brunswick County 4-H member Autumn Hatcher was accepted to attend National
4-H Congress — one of the program& #39;s highest honors for 4-H members.
NC 4-H Congress Delegation A group of local youth traveled to Raleigh for the statewide leadership conference
— full itinerary, parent communication, and chaperone coordination managed
locally.
Camp Spark: Junior Engineers A brand-new one-day STEM camp for mixed-age youth, featuring five hands-on
engineering stations and teen-led facilitation.
Upcoming Events
County Fair 4-H project judging and exhibits at the Brunswick County Fair.
4-H Livestock Projects Youth raise and exhibit project animals, including Dairy Heifers and Turkey.
Bluebird Box Workshop In partnership with the Leland Area Garden Club, 20 youth will build bluebird boxes
for the northern part of Brunswick County.
Southeast District STEM Day A hands-on day of STEM exploration, outdoor learning, and teamwork. Participants
rotate through four interactive stations covering science, technology, engineering,
environmental education, and problem-solving challenges.
Community Partnerships
4-H in Brunswick County already partners with local organizations, including Brunswick County Public Schools,
Brunswick County Parks & Recreation, the Leland Area Garden Club, and Tractor Supply Co.
Where We Could Use a Partner
Demand for 4-H programming is growing faster than current staff capacity and funding.
Volunteers & Mentors Adult volunteers to judge presentations, coach clubs, and mentor teen leaders.
Program Funding Support for camp scholarships, curriculum materials, and event transportation.
Guest Expertise Local professionals to lead career talks tied to the workforce-readiness curriculum.
Meeting & Event Space Room for club meetings, trainings, and larger county-wide gatherings.
Partnership Opportunities
Ways the Rotary Club and 4-H could work together:
Volunteer & Judge Rotarians serve as judges for speech nights, project presentations, and camp mentors.
Speak & Connect Host career-panel visits tied to our LIT and leadership programming for older youth.
Sponsor & Fund Underwrite camp scholarships, curriculum supplies, or a matching-grant youth project.
Meet & Host Offer meeting space for club gatherings, trainings, or a county-wide showcase event.
What the Partnership Offers Rotary
Direct Community Impact A visible, hands-on way to invest in Brunswick County& #39;s next generation, aligned
with Rotary& #39;s own focus on youth service.
Shared Mission with Interact & RYLA 4-H& #39;s leadership pipeline complements Rotary& #39;s Interact Club and Rotary Youth
Leadership Awards programs.
A Trusted Local Partner One point of contact, backed by NC State & N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension, for
organizing volunteer and funding efforts.
Next Steps
1. Identify one or two areas of interest from today& #39;s opportunities
2. Connect us with a Rotary committee or point of contact
3. Schedule a follow-up conversation to shape the details
Jamie Lester • 4-H Extension Agent, Brunswick County
NC State & N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension • [email protected]
https://brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu/4-h-youth-development/4-h-programs-2/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTi4ulwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAGJyaWQRMVFsMlpJbHV4S2VpREN6NTFzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeCluknZMR-G_SJ--cbesI_Np-I2fQyS06PFPr4ZJ_Bbr7di4ZEZpcnifPXss_aem_gW2E1ZnUv_hPEVmaiOfFTg
Brunswick County 4-H partners with various organizations within the county to offer hands-on learning experiences. In 4-H you "learn by doing” and meet new friends that share your interests. You can…
