OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — After another successful Oklahoma 4-H Roundup brought hundreds of young people together for leadership development, competition and recognition, the organization’s partnership with the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma continues to demonstrate its lasting impact on youth across the state.
The 105th annual Oklahoma 4-H Roundup, held July 22-24 on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater, highlighted more than a century of leadership development while also showcasing a partnership that has invested more than $1 million in Oklahoma 4-H programs.
Since 2020, the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma has established a $1 million endowment supporting Oklahoma 4-H Roundup and statewide STEM programming. The foundation also has contributed more than $100,000 to the Oklahoma 4-H Innovate Summit.
The investment helps offset program costs, expand access to leadership opportunities and strengthen STEM education for thousands of Oklahoma 4-H members.
“Through their generous philanthropic support, our wonderful friends at Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma have empowered 4-H youth to gain invaluable STEM training and experience Oklahoma 4-H Roundup held annually in July on the beautiful Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater,” said Milford H. Jenkins, executive director of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation. “Each year Oklahoma 4-H is immeasurably humbled by the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma’s charitable investments in our 4-H youth and programs.”
Oklahoma 4-H Roundup serves as Oklahoma 4-H’s premier leadership event, bringing together youth from across the state for educational workshops, leadership development, contests and recognition programs. A highlight of the event is MCFOK Honor Night, which recognizes outstanding 4-H members from across the state.
In addition to supporting Oklahoma 4-H Roundup, the MCFOK’s investment has helped expand Oklahoma 4-H’s STEM programming.
The Oklahoma 4-H Innovate Summit prepares high school students to return to their counties and teach STEM lessons to younger members. That peer-to-peer model has dramatically increased the program’s reach, growing from 2,859 youth served in 2022 to more than 20,000 in 2025.
“I loved getting to meet new friends, see how others do things and learn how they can easily be applied in my county,” one Innovate participant said.
“I am more capable in engineering than I thought,” another participant said.
Dr. Kelly Wardlaw, Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development STEM specialist, said the program’s greatest strength is that participants immediately apply what they learn by leading STEM activities in their hometown communities.
MCFOK support has also enabled Oklahoma youth to attend the National 4-H Council’s Ignite Conference, where participants explore STEM career and strengthen their leadership skills alongside 4-H members from across the country.
“This experience has inspired me to pursue a career as a teacher or 4-H educator,” Oklahoma 4-H member Kate Wardlaw said.
Many Ignite participants return home to help lead Oklahoma programs such as STEM for Y’all and STEM Storytime, extending STEM learning opportunities to younger students throughout the state.
As Oklahoma 4-H looks ahead to the future, leaders say the partnership with the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma continues to create opportunities that prepare young people to become leaders in their schools, communities and careers.
Through sustained investment in leadership development and STEM education, the partnership is helping ensure Oklahoma 4-H members gain the knowledge, confidence and experiences needed to make a lasting difference across the state.
