Texas 4-H Roundup cancelled due to COVID-19

Texas 4-H Roundup, considered the pinnacle event for all of Texas 4-H members, which attracts thousands of youth to Texas A&M University in College Station each June, has been cancelled due to COVID-19.

Texas A&M University recently announced that all summer sessions will be held online and canceled all youth campus activities. Subsequently, Texas 4-H Roundup organizers have decided to cancel this year’s event, which has been held on the Texas A&M campus since 1946. Texas 4-H has more than 46,000 members.

“COVID-19 has been an infamous component for us as we make decisions about spring and summer events,” Montza Williams, Ed.D., 4-H program director for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, said in a letter to parents April 7. “We have tried to be extra cautious when making decisions about the unknown and people’s health. Since the onset, we have watched the virus continue to spread and infect a multitude of Texans and other Americans.”

Protecting the health and well-being of 4-H youth, parents and those helping make Roundup a signature event was paramount in the decision, Williams said. 

 “I and the Texas 4-H faculty, along with AgriLife Extension administrators, have studied alternatives, but we decided that postponing the event was not a feasible option given the current information available to us,” Williams said.

He said administrators will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and listen to recommendations from the CDC, governor and federal government while decisions are made about future Texas 4-H Youth Development programs.

“I know the decisions we make will not make everyone happy, but know that we are working to make the best decisions we can while keeping you and the community at large in our focus,” he said.

Williams, citing it as a “silver lining,” said virtual learning has been offered to 4-Hers since the COVID-19 disrupted daily activities.

“Agents, leaders and members have gotten creative and are using social media as a resource to teach, learn and stay connected,” he said. “It will be interesting to see what components remain when we come out on the other side of this pandemic. Until then, follow precautions and stay safe.”                      

Learn more about Texas 4-H.