The 2021-2022 4-H enrollment begins October 1st! As youth head back to school, be sure to put 4-H on your list of activities to check out!
What is 4-H?
With over six million members, 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization! The four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health and represent 4-H’s commitment to providing youth development and educational opportunities that teach important skills such as critical thinking, generosity, service, problem solving, and healthy living.
“To Make The Best Better” is the 4-H Motto. The slogan is “Learn By Doing.” The idea that youth should be given the opportunity to learn and do through hands on experiences is at the core of 4-H. 4-H is a project based educational program, allowing members to explore and participate in many different projects that have the potential of becoming life long skills and hobbies.
But My Kids Don’t Live On A Farm
Living on a farm or having a background in agriculture is NOT a requirement in 4-H. While we often think of dairy shows and pig barns when we think of 4-H, there is so much more to 4-H to than showing animals. I was a member of the Marquette Pacemakers 4-H Club in Barron County, Wisconsin for 13 years and have supported the program as a leader for the past 15 years. The closest I’ve come to an animal project is participating in our club’s Dairy Bowl team. As a 4-H member, I participated in projects such as cake decorating, cultural arts, computer applications, public speaking, photography, and natural sciences. My main project was shooting sports. I didn’t live on a farm and I never took an animal to the fair. Check out the list of project areas available in Dodge County 4-H!
So How Do You Get Your Kids Involved?
4-H is open to all youth in grades Kindergarten through one year after High School graduation. Youth in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade can enroll as Cloverbuds. Youth in 3rd Grade become Explorers and have a limited selection of projects. In 4th Grade and beyond, members can select from all project areas.
The first step in joining 4-H is finding a club. This map shows where clubs are located in Dodge County. Call the Positive Youth Development Educator at the Extension Dodge County Office at 920-386-3790 for information clubs in your area!
Can Adults Be Involved Too?
4-H is a youth development organization. However, the mission of 4-H could not be carried out without adult volunteers. There are opportunities for adults to be involved as leaders at the club, county, state, and national levels. There are many ways to be involved as a leader, depending on your interests and availability. If you are interested in volunteering as a leader, contact the Positive Youth Development Educator at the Extension Dodge County Office for more information.
For Me, 4-H Was More Than A Few Projects, It Was a Way of Life
Being involved in 4-H was one of the best things I did as a child and it continues to be a passion as an adult. For me, it was about more than taking projects to the fair. It was a way of life. 4-H taught me how to be a leader in my club and community. It gave me the opportunity to explore many skills and hobbies. Perhaps most importantly, it taught me how to serve others. I have recited the 4-H Pledge hundreds of times.
I pledged clearer thinking, greater loyalty, larger service, and better living not to myself, by to my club, my community, my country, and my world. 4-H taught me that we all have value and that my actions can and do impact others. I love 4-H and I cannot wait until my baby can be a cloverbud.
