Join
Thank you for your interest in the 4-H program. 4-H is a community of young people across Kansas engaged in learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Caring adults that support our programs are essential for youth to achieve their potential based on the guidance, respect, skills, knowledge, and wisdom adults can share.
4-H is a nationwide program. Each of the four Hs of the clover represent ways youth can grow and develop.
- Head, critical thinking, problem-solving;
- Heart, self-discipline, integrity, communication;
- Hands, serving others; and
- Health, choosing healthy lifestyles.
Raising great kids is a challenging task, but it’s easier when you have a team of people behind you. 4-H clubs are groups of families that do just that. Through working together, families share knowledge and interests to help kids learn practical skills and important values.
4-H had its beginnings in rural America, but it now serves youth in urban and suburban, as well as rural, communities. Kansas 4-H is open to youth between the ages of 7 and 19. The new 4-H year starts in October, so many prefer to join 4-H at the start of the school year. 4-H enrollment, however, is open year-round,
so youth can join any time. In order to show at the County Fair, you must be enrolled by May 1.
4-H clubs generally meet monthly. These meetings give youth opportunities to share their project work (speak), plan community service activities, and practice running meetings. They may have ‘sub-clubs’ for individual projects, led by adults or teens within the club. For specialized projects like horses, many counties have county-wide project clubs that operate in a similar fashion.
A GUIDE TO THE 4-H PROGRAM FEE
4-H Online Family Resources
*Use this link to enroll or to find the form for sponsor coupons.
Go to the 4-H Online Family Resources for guides for family and adult enrollment and re-enrollment, resetting your 4-H Online password, payment sponsors and instructions in Spanish.
How to select projects
A 4-H member should base their project selection on the following:
- Their own personal interests, needs and capabilities. Be sure the project is within the age and ability of the member.
- Suitability of the area in which they live.
- The amount of time needed to complete the project. The member and parents should be aware of the amount of time a member has to work on the project and how much time the project requires.
- The cost and needs of a project. The member and parents must consider how much a project will cost. Is there enough space for the project or is additional equipment required?
- Are project leaders available to help with the project in the club or are the parents willing to help the member with the project?
Projects are selected at the time of enrollment. 4-H members must be enrolled in the appropriate projects to be eligible to exhibit the project at the county fair.
Resources for selecting projects
District Wide Project Leaders
Contact the Extension Office for leader contact information for the following projects.
4-H Cloverbuds
The overall purpose of the 4-H Cloverbuds program is to foster the development of life skills that are essential for the cognitive, social, emotional and physical maturation of 5- and 6-year-old youth by providing a unique educational opportunity.
JOIN 4-H CLOVERBUDS TODAY!
