New Hanover County 4-H invites new and prospective 4-H families to join us for our End of Summer Fun 4-H Event on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at the New Hanover County Extension and Arboretum Office, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.

This special event is the perfect opportunity to discover all that 4-H has to offer. Families will have the chance to meet our staff, learn about clubs, projects, camps, and volunteer opportunities, and connect with other families who share an interest in positive youth development. Whether your child enjoys science, agriculture, leadership, art, or community service, New Hanover County 4-H has something for everyone.

Dinner will be provided, creating a fun and relaxed evening for the whole family. Please RSVP by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, so we can plan accordingly. Register using the End of Summer RSVP Google Form.

The event comes on the heels of an outstanding summer for New Hanover County 4-H. Since joining the team in February, Cecilia Tadt, our new 4-H agent, has been working to bring fresh energy and new ideas to the county’s 4-H program. Her vision of reintroducing traditional 4-H programming while creating new opportunities for youth has already made a significant impact.

When registration opened in May for the 2026 Summer Fun programs, families responded with overwhelming enthusiasm. Offering a diverse lineup of camps for youth ages 5–18, New Hanover County 4-H filled 91% of available program spaces during Cecilia's first summer leading the program. The tremendous response reflects the community's excitement for 4-H and highlights the growing demand for quality youth programming.

Throughout the summer, participants explored new interests and developed valuable life skills through hands-on experiences in art, gardening, leadership, citizenship, and many other engaging activities. These programs encouraged youth to build confidence, discover new talents, develop leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and strengthen their connection to their community.

The success of the 2026 Summer Fun season would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers, community partners, families, and sponsors. Their support created meaningful experiences that will have a lasting impact on the youth of New Hanover County.

As we celebrate an incredible first summer under Cecilia's leadership, we are grateful to everyone who helped make these programs possible. We look forward to welcoming new families at our End of Summer Fun Event and continuing to expand opportunities for even more youth to learn, lead, and thrive through New Hanover County 4-H Summer Fun Programs in 2027.

Cecilia Tadt is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for N.C. Cooperative Extension in New Hanover County, located at the New Hanover County Arboretum. She can be reached at cecilia_tadt@ncsu.edu.