4-H Clubs

Being a member of a 4-H club gives children year-round involvement, and without question, provides them with the most well rounded 4-H experience. As a club member, children develop leadership skills, public speaking skills, and social skills as they participate in monthly club meetings, community service projects, citizenship activities, and club outings.

Volunteer Led: 4-H Clubs are organized in communities throughout Carbon County. Clubs are led by parents and community volunteers who have been screened and trained by Extension personnel. Since 4-H is a family program, parents and guardians are actively involved at club functions and meetings.

Grades: Generally, clubs are organized for members in three different grade divisons: 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th; however this varies from club to club. The club experience tends to be better if the members are close in ages.

4-H Age Categories

• Cloverbud 4-H Members: Kindergarten - Second Grade(K-2)

• Junior 4-H members: Third - Fifth Grade (3-5)

• Intermediate 4-H Members: Sixth - Eighth Grade (6-8)

• Senior 4-H Members: Ninth - Twelfth Grade (9-12)

Jr. Leaders - grades 7th-8th, may assist adult leaders in a club or activity

Teen Leaders – grades 9th-12th, may lead a club with an adult willing to help them

Home school member age levels are determined by chronological age as of January 1

Special needs members – participants older than 19 years of age may be enrolled in 4-H with the approval of the county/state 4-H staff.

For all age categories the grade is determined by the grade the member is in as of January 1 of the current calendar year. That is, youth who are in grades K, 3rd, 6th, and 9th, as of January 1 of the current year, participate in these respective categories.

Large animal projects require youth to be in 3rd – 12th grades, and not younger than 8 years of age by January 1 of the current year.

Eligibility for 4-H membership terminates upon graduation from the twelfth grade. Seniors may exhibit through the summer of their graduation year. 4-H'ers are then eligible for collegiate 4-H membership.

The county of residence is the primary county for 4-H enrollment. A member may transfer from one county to another as residence changes, but shall not be enrolled in more than one county at the same time.

Certain project areas may require a minimum meeting attendance, record book requirement or other requirement for involvement in certain aspects of the project. This may apply particularly to horse and livestock projects – check with your Extension office for any special project requirements.

Meetings: Most Carbon County 4-H clubs meet during the sumer months, others may meet once a month in the evenings, or after school. The only cost of 4-H membership is a supplemental insurance of $1 for most members and $2 for members with more dangerous projects such as horse, ATV, and shooting sports. There are no uniforms to purchase. A typical club meeting will include opening pledges, a short business meeting led by club officers to allow members to discuss future activities, a hands-on learning activity, and social time, which often includes recreation and refreshments. Meetings usually last 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, depending on the members' ages.

Projects: Club members and parent helpers select the projects they will explore during the year. In order to qualify as a project in 4-H there must be at least 6 hours of learning activities related to that project. One club might learn about bats and make a bat box, another club might make electric lamps and learn about circuits, still another might learn how to force narcissus bulbs and make flowerpots to donate to an area assisted living home.