Join NoVA 4-H Nature Club
Our Program
This club is both a learning opportunity and a way to get to know other likeminded peers. Our aim is to support members as they explore their interests and grow into leadership positions. Members can choose to be full 4-H members or may only wish to participate in the outings. Members may be fully virtual for the online and hybrid sessions and may conduct their own outings and activities on their own time if they are not able to attend an in-person outing. We want this to be as flexible as needed for participants.
Alternate activities for remote participants will be available in the Learn section of this site.
Although this is primarily geared toward ages 9-18, younger siblings are welcome to join families on our outings and learn with us during the Topic Overview sessions.
Each month, we will host at lest 3 sessions:
Topic Overview (Virtual):
During the first few weeks of each month, we will introduce the monthly topic and discuss logistics for our monthly outing. Reference materials for each topic are located in the Learn section of this site.
Outing (In Person):Â
We will visit sites in the NoVA area related to the monthly topic (for example, a bird walk for Ornithology month or visit a river for fish and river habitats for Ichthyology month). These may be led by a Master Naturalist, Park Ranger, or an expert in the field.
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4-H Business Meeting (Hybrid):
During each month, we will hold 4-H Club Member meetings to plan group service projects and fundraisers (if desired). Club members will prepare short presentations on topics and will discuss ways to represent this club in the NoVA area and beyond.
4-H member meetings will be held in-person at Compass Homeschool Enrichment in Herndon, Virginia AND online so all can participate. If you wish to attend in-person and are not members of Compass Homeschool Enrichment, a $15 insurance fee for the full year will be charged (note, this is a one time fee for each 4-H year).
Club members are not required to join 4-H. However, 4-H members will be able to vote on service projects for the year, participate in 4-H contests and programs, run for a 4-H officer position, and enjoy many of the benefits 4-H offers.
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To learn more about 4-H, please visit 4-H.org or for Virginia's 4-H program visit the VA Cooperative Extension 4-H site.
Our programs are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.
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If you are a person with a disability and desire assistance or accommodation, please notify us through our contact form on this site no later than 48 hours in advance of the event or session. We will provide captions for virtual sessions.
Types of Activities
In this club, members may...
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Lead a group activity for a topic that captures their interest (such as a nature walk, a citizen science project, or other activity)
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Compete in EnviroThon or the wildlife habitat education program (WHEP) or other nature related contest
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Represent the club at a fair or other event
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Participate in or lead community service projects related to protecting habitat (Adopt-a-park, Save Our Streams, Water Quality Monitoring, Bluebird box monitoring, plant a tree, or remove invasives)
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Create a presentation or video to show to the club after completing an activity of interest
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Run for a 4-H club officer position to develop leadership skills
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Collaborate with other club members to raise funds for service projects (not required)
Year at a Glance
Meeting theme and presentations may shift to accommodate guest speakers and/or field trips
Get Involved
NoVA 4-H Nature Club is a youth leadership club spanning multiple counties in Northern Virginia. We are focused on learning about nature, exploring local natural areas, and using that knowledge to take a leadership role in the community and become change agents for environmental awareness and conservation.
We aim to provide a fun and engaging learning experience for our members while also instilling in them a sense of responsibility towards the environment and their community.
In the intake form, indicate your planned participation level - whether you will be involved in all three monthly sessions, two sessions, or just the monthly outings.
(NOTE: you can change your level - this just helps us better plan events)