The California 4-H program is a part of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), a statewide network of the University of California. Led by research-driven programming from UC ANR, 4-H is a youth development program for youth ages 5-19 that promotes hands-on, experiential learning. Youth members and adult volunteers from all backgrounds and locations in California are welcome. The purpose of a 4-H club is to provide positive youth development opportunities that enable youth to reach their full potential as competent, confident, leaders of character who contribute and are connected to their communities. We encourage leadership and responsibility and teach life skills and community involvement while the kids try new experiences. We do not tell the kids any of that though; that is our little secret! We tell the kids: 4H is about making friends, having fun and trying new things.
Members and leaders in Community Clubs meet regularly and have a planned program that is carried out through all or most of the year. 4-H clubs usually meet once a month in the evenings or on weekends for the club meeting. All members are expected to attend the community club meetings. Depending on the age of the child the meetings may seem boring or overwhelming until they start to understand what is going on at the meeting. At these meetings, The youth officers run the meetings using parliamentary procedure. The president writes the agenda, the secretary takes the minutes, the treasurer gives the financial report (after he/she balances our checkbook). Committee chairman (all 4-H youth members) give committee reports, members give project reports; they learn public speaking (shhh … another secret). The youth members run the club and decide how to spend club funds, what events the club will hold and take part in, what rules we will have or change, etc. 4H is all about belonging to the community and giving back to our community, so clubs participate in community service (also known as service learning).
Members also attend project meetings. A 4-H project is planned work in an area of interest to the 4-H member; guided by a 4-H adult volunteer who is the project leader; aimed at planned objectives that can be attained and measured; summarized by some form of record keeping and with a minimum of six hours of project instruction. Project meetings are held once a month (usually), these meetings are held at leader’s home or suitable public location. They typically last 1 hour. The projects available are limited to having adult volunteers willing to lead those projects. All adult volunteers have been fingerprinted and background checked. They offer their time and experience to help our members explore and learn new things.
4-H is for youth between 5 and 19 years of age by December 31st of the program year (July 1 – June 30). Primary members are youth 5 and 8 years old. Primary members cannot enroll in large animal projects. Approved primary member animal projects are dogs, rabbits, rats, cats, poultry, cavies, mice, embryology, bees, entomology, marine science, pygmy, Nigerian dwarf goats and therapeutic animal projects. Primary members also cannot enroll in shooting sports projects. All other projects are open to primary members. Some clubs have a primary member project that is designed just for them, as an introduction to 4H. It is also a way for them to establish friendships and bond with other members their age. When they attend the community meeting, it is easier and more fun for them if they see, recognize, and interact with others their age.
Joining 4H is easy. Go to www.v24honline.com, set up a profile, fill in personal data, choose the club you wish to join, and then pick the projects that your child is interested in. https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in