4-H Youth Are Beyond Ready: Cape May County Joins National Celebration of Leadership, Learning, and Service

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Cape May Court House – From the 4-H fairgrounds to classrooms, community gardens to fishing boats, 4-H youth in Cape May County are proving they’re not just ready for the future – they’re Beyond Ready. Each year in October, National 4-H Week is celebrated, and it is a time to share how 4-H equips young people with the skills, confidence, and resilience to lead in a world full of opportunity and change. Through the Beyond Ready initiative, 4-H will help prepare 10 million youth for work and life by 2030.

As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H empowers young people nationwide with hands-on learning experiences through clubs, camps, school programs, and community events. This year Cape May County 4-H members, Lilly Carr, Josie Griebau, Eddie Hoover, Rainbow McAtee, Autumn Richards, Julianna Romano, Owen Ross, and Amelia Worthington attended 4-H Winter Camp where they had an amazing experience with teens from different counties in New Jersey.

The Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program provides opportunities for youth to develop public speaking skills, lead community service projects, raise livestock, develop skills in archery, fishing, and much more. Cape May County’s Nathaniel McCrone honed his public speaking and leadership skills when he served as both New Jersey and Cape May County 4-H Senior Equestrian of the Year. Nathaniel not only represented Cape May County but New Jersey 4-H at a variety of events including the 2025 New Jersey Agriculture Convention and Trade Show held in Atlantic City, NJ in February.

Through 4-H participation, our youth combine their interests with learning practical skills so they can make a positive difference in their own lives and in the community. Cape May County 4-H gives our youth a space to grow into leaders who care deeply about their community and future. We see that every day in the way they show up to learn and lead,” said Linda Horner, Cape May County 4-H Program Coordinator.

Become a part of Cape May County 4-H! We offer nearly twenty 4-H clubs in a variety of topics for young people in kindergarten through one year out of high school. Many of them are currently accepting new members, such as Archers of America, Clover Kids, Little Critters, Science Rocks, and Get Your Brick On Lego 4-H club.

During National 4-H Week, we salute nearly 400 Cape May County 4-H members, volunteers, and supporters who proudly wear green and participate in variety of community service projects throughout the year.

The Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program staff and volunteers deliver 4-H programs that help youth learn by doing. From showcasing their projects at the Cape May County 4-H Fair each year in July or participating in food collections to support local families like members of the Little Critters and the Clover Kids did earlier this year collecting donations for the Branches of Cape May County Food Pantry, youth are learning skills such as teamwork, resilience, and communications skills that will serve them in their career and for life.

If you are looking for fun, friendship, and new experiences, now is the perfect time to explore what 4-H has to offer. To start your 4-H adventure, visit our website capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu, find a club that sparks your interest, call the 4-H club leader, and then attend a meeting.

For more information about the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program, please call 609-465-5115, ext. 3606, visit our website capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/

and like us on Facebook at Cape May 4-H or Instagram at cape_may_4h.

The 4‑H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station – Cooperative Extension. 4‑H offers educational programs to all youth, grades K–13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.