NC 4-H Congress was a full week of leadership, service, workshops, elections, and fellowship with 4-H'ers from across North Carolina.
This year's theme was Lights, Camera, Action!, and the whole event carried that energy. From the opening ceremony and pin exchange to Lead to Change, service projects, district meetings, workshops, and the Clover Gala, each day had a different pace but the same great feeling.
What I liked most was how Congress brought together so many parts of 4-H at once: leadership, public speaking, service, elections, recognition, and time to meet people from other counties.
Check-In, Opening Ceremony & Pin Exchange
The week started with check-in at the McKimmon Center, delegation move-in, dinner, and the opening ceremony. It was the kind of first day where everything felt busy right away, but in a good way. The opening ceremony introduced the state and district officers, included roll call and greetings, and set the tone for the rest of Congress.
11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Congress check-in and information table opens
6:45 - 8:00 PM
Opening ceremony with officer introductions, roll call, greetings, and Honor Club tapping
9:15 PM
Congress delegate evening activity - pin exchange
The pin exchange is where delegates meet people from other counties and trade decorated clothespins. It is simple, but it makes it much easier to start conversations and meet 4-H'ers from across the state.
Lead to Change, State Finals & the Evening Session
Tuesday had a lot happening at once. Leading to Change activities ran through the day, while state finals presentations and outdoor cookery were happening too. Later, the evening session brought everyone back together for the Lights, Camera, Action! dinner, alumni recognition, senior recognition, 2025-2026 NC 4-H State Council Member Engagement Officer Emily Pirhalla's Clover Talk about resilience, a talk or speech from keynote speaker Cassandra Caldwell, and the start of getting to know the state officer candidates.
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Leading to Change activities
9:15 AM - 5:00 PM
NC 4-H presentations state finals and outdoor cookery
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Evening session with dinner, recognition, 2025-2026 NC 4-H State Council Member Engagement Officer Emily Pirhalla's Clover Talk about resilience, keynote speaker Cassandra Caldwell, and candidate introductions
After the evening session, delegates had several options happening around the same time, including project work, campaigning, the silent disco, the game room, and the quiet room. It made the day feel long, but also memorable because there was always something different to step into depending on what you wanted to do.
A Clover Talk is a 10-15 minute talk given by a current state officer about a significant experience or idea, like resilience or life in the green jacket. It is their stage to share one last piece of advice, thank their fellow officers and the people who helped them, and inspire other 4-H youth to keep going.
Service Projects, Workshops & Talent Showcase
Wednesday focused a lot on service and learning. The schedule included evaluating the State Council 4-H candidates through Civic Minds, a Kids Voting NC civic engagement activity, Hands to Service projects, lunch, two workshop sessions, county-led cultural experiences, and the NC 4-H Talent Showcase. For my Hands to Service project, I helped pack 500 Habitat for Humanity thank-you bags, and later my county went to an escape room.
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hands to Service projects
1:15 - 3:30 PM
Congress workshops: Sessions 1 and 2
7:30 - 8:45 PM
NC 4-H Talent Showcase
Tours, Elections, Workshops & the Clover Gala
Thursday started with the Congress group photo and then moved into tours and experiences. The afternoon included the Lead to Change project gallery and elections, county voting delegates, more workshops, and election results. That night was the Clover Gala, which wrapped up the week with dinner, officer recognition, a slideshow, delegation photos, and the candlelight ceremony.
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Morning kickoff, Congress shirt group photo, and dismissal to tours and experiences
9:00 - 11:30 AM
Tours and experiences
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Lunch on campus at Fountain Dining Hall
1:30 - 2:30 PM
Lead to Change project gallery and elections
7:15 - 9:00 PM
Clover Gala - dinner, recognition, wrap-up, slideshow, and county delegation photos
10:45 PM
Candlelight ceremony and State Council officer installation
Breakfast & Heading Home
Friday was mainly checkout and travel day. We checked out of the dorms, started the drive back to Union County 4-H, and stopped for breakfast at the State Farmers Market Restaurant. The complimentary biscuits were so fresh and delicious, which made the travel morning feel a little better.
9:00 AM
Check out at dorms
10:00 AM
Travel back to Union County 4-H
10:30 AM
Stop for breakfast at the State Farmers Market Restaurant
11:30 AM
Continue on to 4-H
1:30 PM
Arrive back at the Union County Agricultural Center for parent pickup
By the end of Congress, I was tired in the way you only get after a week full of people, sessions, and late nights. But I also left with a stronger appreciation for how much 4-H gives teens a place to lead, serve, and try new things.
Thank you to North Carolina 4-H, the state and district officers, advisors, volunteers, and everyone who helped make Congress happen.
NC 4-H Congress was busy, meaningful, and definitely worth the full schedule.