“Enchanted Evening Ahead”: 4-H Gala Blends Fun, Fundraising, and Forest Magic

At the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where summer camps echo with laughter and fireworks light up the sky, the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center is preparing for something entirely new. This sparkling, woodland-inspired fundraiser aims to do more than dazzle.

On October 25, the 4-H Center will host its gala, themed “Enchanted Forest”, a celebration designed to highlight the center’s wide-ranging impact across Northern Virginia and raise critical funds for youth programming, facilities, and accessibility improvements.

The dining hall and surrounding event space will be transformed into a glowing woodland retreat, complete with fairy lights, a gourmet s’mores station, and forest-themed décor across the Tom Baker Memorial Terrace. But beneath the beauty, there’s a serious purpose: to raise $50,000 to support youth development and ensure the 4-H Center’s programs remain open and inclusive for all.

“This is more than a party,” said Katie Tennant, executive director of the Northern Virginia 4-H Center. “It’s a way for the community to see all we do—from summer camps to school field trips to leadership retreats—and to help us continue that mission into the future.”

Tennant, who has become a bit of a local celebrity thanks to her appearance on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior, says she hopes the gala will bring the Center the attention—and funding—it truly deserves.

“People are always surprised to learn what all happens at 4-H,” she said. “We serve 19 counties, not just Warren County. Our campers come from as far as Arlington and King George. During summer, we’re packed with activity, and in the off-season, we host everything from corporate retreats to faith-based gatherings.”

The gala will feature catering from local favorite The Apple House, including their signature dishes and desserts. Local restaurants are contributing sweets, and guests can enjoy a gourmet s’mores bar under the stars. Shenandoah Valley Axe Throwing is donating a unique silent auction experience: a private session with a professional axe thrower—Tennant’s husband.

“It’ll be a fun, relaxing night with dancing, photo booths, a DJ, open bar, and a great silent auction,” said Tennant. “And it’s all happening right here on our beautiful campus.”

Among the auction items are a ruby and diamond necklace from Jean’s Jewelers, private wine tastings, a rare Snuffy Smith cartoon artwork, and getaway packages from local businesses. The gala also features appearances by special guests, including The Honorable Wallace Covington, a longtime 4-H supporter, and several former 4-H staff members who will share how the program has shaped their lives.

Funds raised will go toward restoring key facilities and creating an ADA-accessible high ropes course, a vital upgrade for the many campers with special needs, including those in the 4-H Center’s Camp Corral program for children of wounded, ill, or fallen military families, as well as its cancer support camps.

“We’re trying to expand what access really means,” Tennant explained. “It’s about building confidence in kids who don’t always get those chances. It’s also about making our spaces safer and more inclusive for all.”

The gala is also raising funds to support the hiring of a Development Director—someone who can focus full-time on keeping the center financially sustainable throughout the year.

A Warrior in the Woods

Tennant herself is proof that overcoming challenges is part of the 4-H spirit. A former college athlete turned nonprofit leader, she recently returned from filming Season 18 of American Ninja Warrior in Las Vegas. Competing at age 40 with a decade between appearances—and after managing life with ulcerative colitis—Tennant’s story is one of resilience.

“I don’t fit the typical mold of a Ninja competitor,” she said. “I’m in my 40s, 50 pounds heavier than most women out there, and I’ve got chronic health issues. But that’s the message: You can do hard things.”

Her staff couldn’t be prouder.

“They’ll brag about it to campers,” she laughed. “They’ll say, ‘Did you know our boss is an American Ninja Warrior?’ But I hope they’re also learning that grit and grace matter just as much as strength.”

Tennant’s approach to leadership is shaped by her own 4-H experiences and by the young people she serves.

“It’s not about the obstacle course. It’s about showing up—for yourself, for your community, for the kids. That’s the legacy we’re trying to build here.”

A Center With Roots

Founded in 1975, the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center is a place where thousands of kids come every year to learn, grow, and explore. Its sprawling mountain campus offers a wide range of activities, including archery, swimming, leadership programs, team-building ropes courses, and environmental education.

Open year-round, the center also serves as a community hub, hosting family reunions, dance performances, church retreats, and youth events. Its facilities include an auditorium, amphitheater, shelters, cabins, and trails—many of which need updates after years of steady use and weather wear.

“People forget that we’re not just a camp,” Tennant said. “We’re an educational and conference center with the space to host up to 300 people indoors, plus outdoor options most towns would dream of. We just need help getting the word out—and keeping the lights on.”

The gala is already seeing strong support, with more than 20 local sponsors signed on, including Jean’s Jewelers, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Broadview Automotive, and Bill Long’s Auto Care Clinic.

A Night to Remember

Tickets for the Enchanted Forest Gala are $100 and include dinner, drinks, dessert, entertainment, and access to all auction items and activities. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, October 25, at the 4-H Center in Front Royal.

“This is a celebration of community, of youth, and of the belief that we’re all capable of more than we think,” Tennant said. “We just need a little space to grow.”

Visit the Northern Virginia 4-H Center Facebook page or website for more information.