4-H is a voluntary, educational program for youth ages 5-18. Its approach to youth development is through hands-on learning. Clubs are groups of 4-H members and their families, who meet to conduct business meetings, participate in community service, come together to learn about one specified project area or many projects based on members’ interests, practice speaking/presenting to a group and socialize with others.

There are a variety of clubs in Caldwell County, but 4-H members can pursue their project interests regardless of if they are in a club specifically targeting that project area. It is encouraged that members join clubs because experiences in 4-H are greatly enhanced through club membership.

Here is a listing of current 4-H clubs in Caldwell County:

Appalachian Aces 4-H Club

This club is centered around the sport of archery and is for youth ages 9-18. Instructors have held twice-monthly meetings this spring, and weekly meetings with archery practices will resume in May. The club will practice and meet at the Caldwell Agricultural Fairgrounds on select Thursdays. Their spring schedule is as follows: 

• Every Thursday in May at 6:00 p.m.

Weekly meetings will resume in May — members can stay tuned for updates from the Club Leaders. This club is currently at capacity. However by summer, the club will be adding riflery as a discipline and expanding membership, with meetings for those practices at another location in the county. Stay tuned for an announcement in that regard.

Baton Elementary Bear Paws 4-H Club

Fourth and fifth-graders at Baton Elementary School in Granite Falls can join an after-school 4-H club. It usually meets the last Monday of the month while school is in session from 3–4 p.m. If youth there are interested, they should tell their teacher they want to join 4-H and participate.

Cooking 4-H Club

The Cooking 4-H Club meets to cook, bake and have fun with food. They meet on the third Monday of the month in the evening from 6-8 p.m. Their roster is full at this time based on kitchen space. Send an email to Sarah Kocher <sarah_kocher@ncsu.edu> to be added to the 4-H Club’s email list.

The Cooking 4-H Club meetings are held in Lenoir at the Caldwell County Meeting Rooms and Cooperative Extension kitchen.

Circuit Breakers 4-H Club

The Circuit Breakers 4-H Club is for youth ages 10-18, and focuses on science and technology topics. Fun activities in STEM and electricity are planned for each meeting. The club is currently preparing for a drone competition. Meetings are held at the Extension Meeting Room (120 Hospital Ave., Lenoir). They are held on the first Monday of the month, unless there is a close holiday (ex: Fourth of July).

Spring schedule for Circuit Breakers:

• May 8
• June 5
• July-no meeting
• August 7

Additional practices for Game of Drones might be added. The contest is April 29. Members’ families should watch their emails for announcements about any additions.

Cloverbuds of Caldwell County 4-H Club

The Cloverbuds Club is for youth 5-7 but older youth can also join or volunteer. Age-specific activities on topics such as pets, nature, and science will be offered. Club meetings will be on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month during the school year at 6 p.m. at Caldwell County Meeting Rooms (below the library in Lenoir) unless members are notified otherwise. 

Upcoming 2023 meeting dates:

• Meetings will resume with school year

Saddle 4-H Club

The Saddle Club, which focuses on the horse project, meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. No horse is required to join, and it is open to youth ages 5-18.

It meets outside at 4912 Carpenter Rd, Granite Falls, NC 28630 (Lisa Deal’s barn) until Daylight Saving Time in the fall. Then it moves indoors to Lakeview Baptist Church (325 Shasta Ln, Lenoir, NC) for winter meetings. With a rich history, the Saddle Club is the longest-standing 4-H Club in the county.

Livestock 4-H Club

The Livestock Club welcomes youth to learn about livestock species – cattle, sheep, goats, etc. through hands-on activities. Unless otherwise announced, it meets at 6:00 p.m., usually at the Caldwell Agriculture Fairgrounds off of US 321 in Lenoir. Many members raise and show livestock, but it is not a requirement to join. It is open to youth ages 5-18.

Meeting dates for 2023:

• June 13
• July 18
• Aug-Dec TBD