PHOTO PROVIDED Clinton County Commissioners, back row from left, Angela Harding, Jim Russo and Jeff Snyder, are pictured with representatives of Penn State Extension and the Clinton County 4-H Program. They are, front row from left, Penn State Extension Coordinator Ethan Howard, Clinton County 4-H Youth Development Coordinator Christine Showers and her son, Zane, who is a member of 4-H.

LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County 4-H Program continues to grow each year according to representatives of the organization.

During its voting session this week, the board of commissioners celebrated the program by proclaiming March 15 through 21, 2026 at Pennsylvania 4-H Week.

The program is delivered by Penn State Cooperative Extension in rural areas, small towns and cities in all 67 counties and involves 77,000 youth ages 5 to 18.

The program has more than 6,000 adult volunteers that engage and mentor youth in learning activities and hands-on projects in topics such as animal science, civic engagement, STEM and health and wellness.

“Pennsylvania 4-H Week showcases the incredible ways that 4-H inspires kids to achieve and highlights the remarkable 4-H youth in the county who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them,” the proclamation read.

Following the unanimous approval, the board heard from Ethan Howard, of Penn State Extension, and Christine Showers, 4-H Youth Development Coordinator for Clinton County. Showers also brought her teenage son, Zane, who has been involved in 4-H since he was eight and currently serves as treasurer of his chapter.

Howard thanked the board for their continued support of the programs.

“Our partnership with county governments is the only reason 4-H continues to exist, especially in its current form,” he said.

In introducing Showers, Howard emphasized her hard work in Clinton County for its youth programs.

“Chris here has continued to do a wonderful job with the program and she’s great to work with,” he said.

Showers told the board that Clinton County’s 4-H program grows year after year.

“Every year it grows leaps and bounds with new kids and new families,” she said.

Showers touched on the enrollment numbers between 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.

“Our enrollment period started in October. Last year we ended with 143 enrolled kids through the state system,” she said. “This year we’re already up to 170 enrolled members and we have a few months to go until enrollment ends.”

Last year, she said the county was able to test a pilot program, Cloverbud Livestock, which saw kids ages 5 to 7 learn more about livestock, agriculture and animals at the Clinton County Fair.

“We had classes for just them to have hands on experience in front of the crowd, in front of the judges and just be a part of that whole fair week,” she said. “It was my favorite part of the fair this year.”

The program had 15 kids enrolled last year, with up to 28 enrolled this year.

“Because people saw us at the fair and saw the youngers kids have such a blast,” she said.

In Western Clinton County the North Bend 4-H Club held a week-long STEM camp which will be expanded this year. Kids outside of the North Bend Club, non-4-H members, will be able to attend the week, though they will have to pay a $30 fee for supplies.

Following remarks, Commissioner Angela Harding thanked Showers on behalf of the board for the work she does.

“We are just hugely impressed with the effort you put into this program and everything you have done for Clinton County. But specifically for the young people in Clinton County, getting them involved and the energy that you provide,” she said.