What Virginia 4-H Congress Is
Virginia 4-H Congress is the state's biggest annual gathering for 4-H teens and the adult volunteers who work with them. It mixes competition with workshops, leadership and fun, and it is built to develop life skills and leadership. Delegates stay on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg. The most recent Congress ran June 16-19, 2026.
Who Can Attend
Congress is for enrolled 4-H youth (the stated target is ages 14-18) and adult volunteers. Competitors must be 14 to 19 as of September 30 of the 4-H year, and mixed-age acts that include members under 14 are not eligible. Registration is online only, through 4-H Online (v2.4honline.com), using the enrolled member family account.
Ways to Attend and Fees
| Option | Cost | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Congress | $310 per person (youth and adults) | Lodging Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights in air-conditioned double-occupancy dorms, eight meals (breakfast Wednesday to Friday, lunch Wednesday and Thursday, dinner Tuesday to Thursday), Congress T-shirt |
| One-day competition | $70 per person | Congress T-shirt and Wednesday lunch in Dietrick Hall |
| Color Run/Walk | $10 | Includes a T-shirt; proceeds support Congress |
| Digital slideshow, delegation photo, unit photo | $5 each | Optional extras |
After you submit, a confirmation email arrives, then an agent approves the registration, and a second email gives payment options. Each delegate pays individually through the local unit office.
How It Works: The Week
- Tuesday: arrival, dorm check-in, a self-guided campus scavenger hunt and the Welcome Congress Mixer on Dietrick Lawn, hosted by the State 4-H Cabinet. The opening session featured Clovers and Company from Georgia 4-H.
- Wednesday: workshops at 9-10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., lunch in Dietrick Hall, competitions and the evening Color Run/Walk.
- Thursday: a workshop from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m., unit photos, and the 4-H All-Star tapping ceremony in the afternoon, followed by All-Star orientation.
- Friday: the closing ceremony honors award winners, National 4-H Congress delegates and Innovative Programming Award winners, and installs the 2026-27 State 4-H Cabinet.
Throughout the week there are Beyond Ready mini workshops, an Opportunity Fair, Congressional Games between districts, and at least one dance, with an alternate activity for those who prefer it.
Competitive Events
Competing requires Congress registration, either the full program or the one-day option, and each competitor must have first taken part in a unit or district qualifying contest. Areas include:
- Discussion Meet, Extemporaneous Speaking, Public Speaking and Radio Spot
- Fashion Revue (constructed or purchased garment), Food Challenge and Table Setting
- Science Fair Presentation and Display
- Share the Fun in combination, dance, drama, instrumental, variety and vocal
- Presentations in many subject areas, including animal science, citizenship and leadership, natural resources, plants, soils and entomology, shooting education, STEM and the arts
Scoring uses the Danish system: blue ribbon 90-100, red ribbon 75-89, white ribbon 74 and below. The top blue ribbon in each category earns a medal. Each participant may compete in only one event, and parents, coaches and agents may not enter the contest rooms.
Workshops
Recent workshop topics included drones in agriculture, soil health, stream health and bugs, livestock judging, a Virginia Tech application workshop, a helmet lab challenge, horse opportunities in 4-H, and applying to be a Virginia 4-H All Star.
Scholarships and Refunds
- Need-based scholarships are limited. Awardees pay a $200 deposit.
- Department of the Air Force Youth 4-H Event Scholarships are first-come, first-served for ages 5-18 from Air Force-connected families in Virginia, and can be used for Congress or Virginia 4-H camps.
- Refunds were available until June 1, minus a $50 processing fee. After that, only a youth not admitted for medical reasons could get a refund, minus $50.
Key Dates
For the 2026 Congress, registration opened March 13 and closed at 11:59 PM on May 15. The event ran June 16-19.
Questions
Do I have to stay all four days?
No. Full attendance is encouraged but not required, and one-day competitors must pre-register.
Can my parents watch my contest?
No. Parents, guardians, coaches and agents may not enter the contest rooms.
Who do I call?
The State 4-H Office at 540-231-6372, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; call at least five days before the event to request accommodations. TDD: 800-828-1120.
Official Links
- Virginia 4-H State Congress: Virginia Cooperative Extension event page
- 2026 Congress General Information Packet: fees, rules, schedule
- 4-H Online: registration
- Virginia 4-H Congress article
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Virginia FFA State Convention
Annual state FFA convention and agriscience fair held at Virginia Tech, where the organization was born. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 8-11, 2026.
- Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame Induction
Honors industry leaders nominated by the Virginia Cattlemen's Association, Virginia State Dairymen's Association, Virginia Pork Council, Virginia Sheep Producers Association and Virginia Horse Council. Most recent event Oct. 30, 2026.
- Winter in the Woods 4-H Specialty Camp
Winter weekend outdoor specialty camp for 4-H youth at Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are December 5 to 6, 2026.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Fluvanna 4-H County Contest Day
Fluvanna 4-H members compete at County Contest Day, scheduled for January 16, 2027 at the Fluvanna Community Center. It is the only contest on the county 4-H calendar this season.
VA | Organizer: Fluvanna 4-H Official event details - Holiday Lake Cloverbud Camp
Summer weekend camp for young Cloverbud 4-H members at Holiday Lake in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are June 18 to 20, 2027.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.