Citizens from around the state or around the world can follow participants in a 4-H walk-a-thon without taking a step.

Those who can’t wait along a trail to cheer 4-H alumni, who will walk through three counties later this week to benefit the 4-H camping program and West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp, can follow them via Facebook and Twitter.

The 62-mile annual trek begins at 6:50 a.m. Friday, July 15, at Camp Good Luck (Randolph County 4-H Camp), on Bell Crouch Road, near Elkwater. After winding through Upshur County, the journey ends at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp, 160 WVU Jackson Mill Road, near Weston, in Lewis County.

Twenty-one alumni and supporters of 4-H are walking to earn pledges while initiating a new fundraiser to celebrate the 90th anniversary of camping at WVU Jackson’s Mill. Many of the walkers also participated in last month’s annual Outspoken for 4-H Bicycle Ride, which traveled 250 miles through eight counties and also ended at WVU Jackson’s Mill.

On Sunday when the walkers arrive at Jackson’s Mill, they will be greeted by 300 youths eager to kick off the annual weeklong Alpha II 4-H Camp.

Until then, 4-H members and friends throughout West Virginia can follow the hikers on Facebook at “Following the 4-H Trail” and on Twitter at “www.twitter.com/4htrail.”

Honoring the state’s 4-H history, the journey begins at Camp Good Luck—considered the first county 4-H camp in the state—and ends at WVU Jackson’s Mill, the first state 4-H camp in the nation.

The “West Virginia 4-H Trail: One Incredible Journey” website has the road-by-road route at www.ext.wvu.edu.

Both Outspoken and the 4-H Trail were created by Jeff Yokum, a West Virginia 4-H alumnus. Both events promote 4-H’s goals for health. Yokum said that the 4-H Trail was designed to be less rigorous than Outspoken, and it will give more people the opportunity to be part of a 4-H awareness-raising project.

The 4-H Youth Development Program, conducted by the WVU Extension Service, reaches one of every four West Virginia youths. Available in each of the state’s 55 counties, 4-H helps young people develop leadership skills by involving them in learn-by-doing activities in club, camp, and individual projects.

—WVU—

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CONTACTS: Alex Coffman, 4-H Trail participant
304-642-0434

Ann Berry Bailey WVU Extension
(304) 293-5691 or (304) 376-7740