Welcome to Catawba County 4-H
4-H is a youth development program through Cooperative Extension for children ages 5-18, offering a variety of clubs and activities led by dedicated volunteer leaders. These clubs meet at different times and locations throughout Catawba County, and 4-H also provides classroom programs, after-school activities, and summer enrichment. Focused on STEM, Healthy Living, and Leadership, all programs are available at little to no cost, thanks to local and state government funding.
Catawba County 4-H offers youth the chance to learn, create, and engage in hands-on activities. Whether you're interested in robotics, photography, plants, cooking, or horses, 4-H provides exciting opportunities. Participants may also have the chance to attend summer camp, visit the county fair, or even travel! The best way to get started is by joining a local 4-H Club.
What 4-H Offers:
- Opportunities to make new friends
- Exciting trips to new places
- The chance to learn new skills
- Ways to get involved in the community and help others
- Recognition and awards for achievements
Registration:
Let us know what you are interested in by emailing or calling Dana, the 4-H Program Assistant, dmflorez@ncsu.edu or 828-465-8247. Before participating in 4-H activities, you need to complete 4-H Enrollment and Medical Forms on 4-H Online.
Club List for 2026-27
Animal & Plant Sciences
Poultry 4-H Club
Ages: 5-18
Meetings: 1st Tuesday of the Month, 5:30-6:30pm,
at the Agricultural Resources Center.
Members are introduced to Poultry Science with hands on activities. Interested members compete @NCState at Avian Bowl and Poultry Judging each summer.
Leaders: Robyn Townsend, robyn.townsend@live.com, Tabitha Yates, and Leah Livingston
Catawba Livestock Club
Ages: 5-18
Meetings: 1st Monday of the Month, 6:30pm, at the Agricultural Resources Center.
Members are involved in learning about agriculture, animal science, and showing livestock.
Leader: Alisha Lidke, 828-217-2551
Catawba 4-H Equestrians
Ages: 6-17
Meetings: 1st Monday of the Month, 6:30pm-7:30pm, in the Mountainview Area
Members participate in hands on learning activites related to horses, and participate in a variety of community service projects.
Leaders: Brian & April Bean, sweetpeasgat@gmail.com
D.I.G. -Discoveries in Gardening
Ages: 5-18
Meetings: 2nd Thursday of the Month, 6pm, at the Agricultural Resource Center
Members of the Discoveries in the Garden club explore plants, nature, and related topics.
Leader: Sue Stulpin, catawba1469@yahoo.com
General & Healthy Living
STAR Explorers 4-H Club
Ages: 5-12
Meetings: Meet Monthly, typically the 3rd Friday
Great for first time 4-H families who want to learn about 4-H, enjoy hands on activities and field trips. Email for details on their next meeting.
Leader: Jessica Stamey, jessica.r.stamey@gmail.com
Clover Explorers 4-H Club
Ages: 5-12
Meetings: 3rd Friday of the Month, 1pm, at the Agricultural Resource Center
Members discover 4-H with lots of different hands-on learning activities with a different topic each month.
Leader: Lisa Ortiz, lisa.ortiz25@gmail.com
4-H Hiking Club
Ages: 5-12
Meetings: 4th Friday of the Month, 10am, email for location
Hike a variety of local trails, parents hike with their 4-H’ers.
Leader: Lilia Pina, liliapina5@gmail.com
Kicking Clovers Taekwondo
Ages: 5-18
Meetings: 2nd& 4th Friday of the Month, 4pm, at the Agricultural Resource Center
Members learn Taekwondo for better health and confidence. New members start in September and in January. $10 fee at belt testing in the Spring, scholarships available.
Leader: Ronnie Hicks, dohickle03@gmail.com
STEM & Technology
It’s Electric Club
Ages: 9-18
Meetings: 2nd Thursday of the Month, 4-5:30pm, at the Agricultural Resources Center.
Explore electronics with hands-on activities including simple and parallel circuits, LED bulbs, batteries, and more.
Leader: Sue Stulpin, catawba1469@yahoo.com
Home H STEM Club
Ages: 6-12
Meetings: 2nd Friday of the Month, 10am-12pm, at the Agricultural Resources Center.
Members explore different activities each month, including engineering design process, LEGO robotics, and more!
Leaders: Lori Devine & Lilia Pina, liliapina5@gmail.com
Amazing Circuits Robotics Club
Ages: 9-18
Meetings: 1st& 3rd Thursday of the Month, 4-5:30pm, at the Agricultural Resource Center.
Members learn the basics of robotics with different building and coding challenges.
Leader: Jeffery Kiefer, jkiefer@cvcc.edu
4-H Library LEGO Robotics
Grades: 2nd-4th
Meetings: offered in 5-6 week sessions throughout the school year in cooperation with Catawba libraries.
Students use LEGO to learn about teamwork, block coding, and motorizing LEGO builds.
Leader: Dana Florez, danaf@catawbacountync.gov
Cooking, Shooting, & Community Clubs
Teen Cooking Club
Ages: 12*-18
Meetings: 3rd Thursday of the Month, 5-7:15pm, at the Agricultural Resource Center
Members will learn cooking skills and share their favorite recipes. *12 as of the start of the school year
Leader: Kelli Sigmon, kelliajo@hotmail.com
Top Shots Shooting Sports
Ages: 8-18
Meetings: Wednesdays, March-September, 6pm, at the Catawba Valley Rifle & Pistol Club
Offering shotgun, rifle, archery, and muzzle loading. Accepting new members at the beginning of the calendar year. Interest meeting held in January.
Leaders: Emily Kanupp, ejkanupp@gmail.com
Juntos 4-H Club
Grades: 8th-12th
Meetings: offered at Arndt Middle, St Stephens High, Challenger High School
Students explore options for career training and secondary education through academic coaching and bilingual family nights.
Leader: Yulibeth Yanez-Chavez, yyanez@catawbacountync.gov
Catawba County Youth Council
Grades: 9th-12th
Meetings: 2nd Monday of the Month, 6:30pm, at the Agricultural Resource Center
Students from each high school work on projects and participate in citizenship and leadership programs. Great resume builder!
Leaders: Donna Mull, dhmull@ncsu.edu and Dana Florez
All club participants must register yearly at 4HOnline.com, which includes health, medical, and transportation consent forms.
Contact Information:
Dana Florez
4-H Program Assistant, 4-H Youth Development
Phone: 828-465-8247
Email: dmflorez@ncsu.edu
