4-H is a nonformal educational youth program, conducted by the University of California's Cooperative Extension as authorized by federal and state statutes. In each county, the local Extension staff (County Director and 4-H Youth Advisors) has the authority to administer the program in accordance with University and Extension policy.
4-H provides a wide variety of things to do and learn. Members belong to a group and take part in group events, or explore their own special interests on an individual basis. Youth may enroll in 4-H on their 9th birthday or when entering the 4th grade, whichever comes first, and may be members until the end of the calendar year in which they become 19.
The purpose of 4-H is to help young people discover and develop their potential. 4-H encourages young people to set their own goals and make their own plans and decisions. This helps boys and girls mature and builds their self-confidence. By being part of a group, 4-H'ers learn to understand other people and to cooperate with them. These are two basic skills for a happy, useful life.
GOALS: The goals of 4-H are to help young people:
Develop initiative and assume responsibility. Develop leadership
and be of service to others.
Develop the ability to live and work cooperatively with others. Acquire
knowledge and skills and explore careers. Achieve satisfaction from work
and accomplishments. Choose from alternatives and plan satisfying
lives. Develop positive self images.
4-H PROJECTS: Learning by doing in an atmosphere where learning is fun
is a basic philosophy
of 4-H. The project is where learning by doing takes place. Within the
project, members find things to learn, things to do, things to make, and
things to explore. A 4-H
project is:
Planned work in an area of interest to the 4-H member. Guided by a volunteer who is the project leader. Aimed at planned objectives that can be attained and measured. Summarized by some form of record keeping.
Each year a 4-H member takes at least one project. Members enrolling for the first time should be encouraged to take only one project. As boys and girls gain experience, the size of the project may be increased and/or additional projects may be selected. With their project leader and parents as consultants, members should select a project that will be a challenge, but not one that is larger than they can handle. Any project a 4-H member selects should be based on:
Their interests, needs, and time available. Their family situation. Suitability to the area in which they live The availability of necessary tools and equipment.
Some project groups meet once a week. Others meet once or twice a month. The purpose of these meetings is to guide the members in gaining knowledge, attitudes, skills, and habits needed to complete their work successfully.
Member's guides, reports, and records are available free to 4-H members for most projects. The volunteer who leads the project will obtain these for the 4-H members. 4-H record forms help the members keep track of what they do in their project work.
What projects are available?
Each county has a variety of projects to offer. The following is a list of general project areas that are offered:
Animal Science
Beef Cattle
Dairy Cattle 4-H is a nonformal educational youth program, conducted by
the University of California's
Cooperative Extension as authorized by federal and state statutes. In each
county, the local Extension staff (County Director and 4-H Youth Advisors)
has the authority to administer the program in accordance with University
and Extension policy. 4-H provides a wide variety of things to do
and learn. Members belong to a group and take part in group events, or
explore their own special interests on an individual basis. Youth
may enroll in 4-H on their 9th birthday or when entering the 4th grade,
whichever comes first, and may be members until the end of the calendar
year in which they become 19.
The purpose of 4-H is to help young people discover and develop their potential. 4-H encourages young people to set their own goals and make their own plans and decisions. This helps boys and girls mature and builds their self-confidence. By being part of a group, 4-H'ers learn to understand other people and to cooperate with them. These are two basic skills for a happy, useful life.
GOALS: The goals of 4-H are to help young people:
Develop initiative and assume responsibility. Develop leadership and be of service to others. Develop the ability to live and work cooperatively with others. Acquire knowledge and skills and explore careers. Achieve satisfaction from work and accomplishments. Choose from alternatives and plan satisfying lives. Develop positive self images.
MEETINGS: The 4-H members in a club elect their officers and plan, implement, and evaluate an annual Plan of Work. An adult volunteer leader coaches the club's officers and members in these activities and guides them as they acquire leadership skills. Any parent or adult volunteer leader may join the discussion during a 4-H meeting, but only 4-H members vote on matters that are brought before the club. The meetings also enable members and parents to get together to share experiences and interests. One of the good things 4-H offers is an opportunity to enjoy learning with family and friends.
4-H PROJECTS: Learning by doing in an atmosphere where learning is fun is a basic philosophy of 4-H. The project is where learning by doing takes place. Within the project, members find things to learn, things to do, things to make, and things to explore. A 4-H project is:
Planned work in an area of interest to the 4-H member. Guided by a volunteer who is the project leader. Aimed at planned objectives that can be attained and measured. Summarized by some form of record keeping.
Each year a 4-H member takes at least one project. Members enrolling for the first time should be encouraged to take only one project. As boys and girls gain experience, the size of the project may be increased and/or additional projects may be selected. With their project leader and parents as consultants, members should select a project that will be a challenge, but not one that is larger than they can handle. Any project a 4-H member selects should be based on:
Their interests, needs, and time available. Their family situation. Suitability to the area in which they live. The availability of necessary tools and equipment.
A 4-H project is supervised by the project leader with the help of the member's parents, but it is the 4-H member who must do the work. Some projects (raising plants and animals) involve the production of items for sale. Where this is the case, a business agreement should be established between the 4-H member and his or her parents.
Some project groups meet once a week. Others meet once or twice a month. The purpose of these meetings is to guide the members in gaining knowledge, attitudes, skills, and habits needed to complete their work successfully.
Member's guides, reports, and records are available free to 4-H members for most projects. The volunteer who leads the project will obtain these for the 4-H members. 4-H record forms help the members keep track of what they do in their project work.
What projects are available?
Each county has a variety of projects to offer. The following is a list
of general project areas that are offered:
Animal
Food Preservation
CScience
Beef Cattle
Dairy Cattle
Goats
Guide Dog Training
Horse and Ponies
Pets & Small Animals
Rabbits
Poultry
Swine (Pigs)
Sheep
Veterinary Science
Engineering
Aerospace & Rocketry
Automotive
Bicycles
Computers
Electricity
Small Engines
Woodworking
Home Economics
Foods & Nutrition
Clothing & Fashion
Childcare
Cooking
Leisure and Recreation
Camping & Backpacking
Outdoor Adventure
Arts & Crafts
Shooting Sports
Recreational Sports
Leathercraft
Photography
Natural Science
Gardening
Entomology (Bugs)
Forestry
Geology (Rocks and Earth)
Marine Science
Social Science
Communication
Safety
Citizenship & Leadership
Community Pride
Exchange Programs (Travel)