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                        If You Have The Energy,
                             4-H Has The Fun!

 

What is 4-H?

4-H is an experiential youth development program for boys and girls.  4-H is offered in many ways including:

  • Project or Community Clubs

  • After School Programs

  • School Enrichment

  • Overnight and Day Camps

 

4-H Vision statement:

4-H . . . A leader in developing Idaho’s youth to become responsible, productive citizens, meeting the changing needs of a diverse society.

 

4-H Mission statement:

4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential through working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

 

 What do youth gain by being involved in 4-H?

Adult volunteers help 4-H youth learn practical life skills and gain subject matter knowledge though project activities.  Life skills are “skills that help an individual to be successful in living a productive and satisfying life” such as:

 

  • Social skills

  • Conflict resolution

  • Cooperation

  • Communication

  • Keeping records

  • Planning and organizing

  • Goal setting

  • Service learning

  • Problem solving

  • Decision making

  • Self-esteem

  • Teamwork

  • Leadership

 

How is 4-H administrated?

In Idaho, 4-H is a part of the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System.  Each county has an Extension office which administers the 4-H program.  At the national level, 4-H is a unit of the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension System (CSREES) within the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the federal partner of the state land-grant university system.  4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant universities’ Cooperative Extension System.

 

 

Who Can Belong?

 

4-H is for all youth -- city or country, rural, urban or small town -- from all racial, cultural, economic, and social backgrounds between the ages of 8 and 18 who are interested in learning practical subject matter skills, life skills, and who want to have fun interacting with other youth with the same interests. Cloverbuds are pre-4-H age, 5 to 7 years old.

 

All members can choose from any of the projects listed under the project list.  These include projects in the following areas:

 

          Foods
          Clothing - sewing, knitting, crochet

          Sciences - Geology, Entomology, Environmental

          Art/Photography/Theater

          Leadership/Government/Citizenship

          Livestock

          Small Animals/Pets

          Horse

          Natural Resources/Gardening/Soils
          Engineering, Aerospace, Woodworking

          And much more

 

Please see the Cloverbud page to see what types of materials and activities this age group can be involved with.

 
How Do I Join 4-H?

 
Each year members submit (or their leader submits for them) an enrollment form to remain active in 4-H.  The 4-H member enrollment form is available for the 2008-2009 project year at the link above or from your 4-H leader. The back of the enrollment form requires the member, parent, and Leader to sign the Idaho Youth Commitment to Excellence.

To find a club, either call the 4-H Office at (208) 377-2107 or contact a current 4-H leader you may already know. 

If at any time you have any questions, please call the 4-H office.