4-H Youth Development and Outreach

4-H is a community for all kids! 4-H believes in the power of young people. 4-H recognizes that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world. 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. with the skills to lead for a lifetime.

4-H is delivered by Extension – a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences for young people to learn by doing. Kids complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and citizenship, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Youth have the opportunity to experience 4-H in every county and parish in the country – through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs, military programs and 4-H camps.

4-H is designed to meet the interests of the youth. It helps youth discover and develop life skills, and set personal goals. Involvement in project areas gives members the help needed to improve specific skills and explore new ones. Activities within clubs also introduce members to the importance of helping others through community service. 4-H is family oriented in that children and parents are encouraged to work together on projects and activities. 4-H is also enjoyable and an excellent opportunity to meet other families in the area.

The 4-H program in Colorado combines the efforts of youth and families, volunteer leaders, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Extension, county and state government and the US Department of Agriculture.

4-H provides an opportunity for young people to belong – to be a part of a group (club), to learn new things and do fun things together. 4-H enables youth to:

• Learn new skills, gain knowledge and develop positive attitudes.
• Develop and use their creative talents.
• Learn to make informed decisions and solve problems.
• Develop a feeling of self-worth, while respecting the rights and privileges of others.

For more than 10 years, 4‑H has partnered with Tufts University to study the effectiveness of its youth development programs. This first of its kind research study found that 4‑H’s unique hands-on approach gives kids the opportunity to learn by doing and build life skills. 4‑H Study of Positive Youth Development is a longitudinal study that began in 2002 and was repeated annually for eight years, surveying more than 7,000 adolescents from diverse backgrounds across 42 U.S. states. They discovered that kids (especially girls) involved in 4-H programs are:

• Four times more likely to give back to their communities
• Two times more likely to make healthy choices
• Two times more likely to participate in STEM activities

A 4-H club is a group of youth with similar interests. Groups meet to learn a new skill in a 4-H project area and have fun. They can be neighbors, friends and family members. The club determines when, where and how often they will meet and what projects they will work on.

4-H clubs are required to charter each 4-H year, which begins on October 1 and runs through September 30 of the following year. A 4-H community club member must:

• Be of the appropriate 4-H age (8-18 as of December 31 of the current 4-H year)
  • Note: Cloverbuds are 5-7 years old as of 12/31 of the current 4-H year.
• Enroll in 4-H via 4-H Online.
• Enroll in at least one 4-H project per year.
• Sign a 4-H member Code of Conduct.
• Pay state and local 4-H fees.
• Complete any additional county level requirements.

4-H offers a myriad of projects to appeal to youth regardless of their interests. We have something for everyone! Each 4-H member ages 8-18 can enroll in one or more projects that are offered by their club and taught by their volunteer leader. A project involves hands-on learning in a new skill over a period of several weeks or months. Most projects have a 4-H manual for reference and E-record to keep a journal of what was learned. Key features of a 4‑H project include:

• Youth‑chosen: Members select topics that match their interests.
• Experiential: Youth learn through doing, practicing, and reflecting—not just listening.
• Goal‑oriented: Projects involve setting goals, keeping records, and working toward improvement.
• Skill‑building: Projects develop technical skills as well as life skills like responsibility, problem‑solving, leadership, and communication.
• Ongoing: Projects are typically worked on over several months or a year, with increasing levels of challenge.

For information on types of projects, see 4-H Projects and Programs.

1. Pick a Club
   • Browse available 4-H clubs We recommend going to several different club meetings to find the best fit. Some clubs specialize in different projects. Contact the club leaders if you have any questions!
2. Create a 4-H Online Account
   • Create an online 4-H profile. Once registered, your new 4-H club will provide additional information about meetings and other opportunities.
   • Need help with 4-H Online? Visit the 4-H Online instructions page.
3. Payment
   • Membership dues are $25 per member per year. We accept both cash and check. View the FAQ about cost below for more information.
4. Pick a Project
   • 4-H’ers spend the year learning about the topic, then complete at the County Fair. Project areas include animal sciences, communication/arts/leisure sciences, family consumer sciences, mechanical sciences, natural resources, and self-determined projects.  If you have questions about a project, contact the Extension Office for more information.
   • Explore local projects
5. Download Your Project Manual and Record Book
   • Visit your specific project page on the Colorado 4-H site and find your project manual and record book. These will be your guides throughout the year.
   • If you need help, contact our office.
6. Make sure you complete the following tasks to finish the 4-H year as a member in good standing:
   • Attend 50% of 4-H club meetings.
   • Give a demonstration. A demonstration is a brief presentation you give at a club meeting. You can make a poster, PowerPoint presentation, how-to speech, or something similar. Select any topic related to your project area and talk to your club leader about scheduling your demonstration.
   • Complete community service. You can do this as a club or as an individual. Take pictures of you doing your community service to put in your record book.
   • Complete your record book. Attend record book trainings and workshops to help guide your record book process.
   • Create and showcase an exhibit at the Chaffee County Fair! This is the culmination of everything you have learned about your project throughout the year. This may look like showing your horse, dog, or market animal during the animal shows or exhibiting during the indoor project judging.
   • This could mean showing your animal at the Fair, or exhibiting at the indoor project judging. Be sure to follow the exhibit requirement rules.

Joining 4-H is a very rewarding, engaging, and fun experience. But it can also be overwhelming and new. We are here to support you! If you have any questions about what you just learned, contact our office!

Current Membership Rates: 

• Returning Members, New Members, and Cloverbuds – $25/member 

Enrollment fees provide a new 4-H member with training resources, leadership development opportunities, a county Fair experience, newsletters, e-Records, and so much more! A portion of this enrollment fee also goes to the Colorado State 4-H Office to provide statewide opportunities.

We have several payment options available:  

• Cash or checks may be dropped off at the Extension Office Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 pm. Our address is found on our contact page.
• Checks should be made out to “Extension Activity Fund”.
• Unfortunately we cannot accept credit card payments at this time.
• Enrollment assistance is available. For scholarships and payment plans please contact our office.

Have questions about enrollment? Visit the 4-H Online instructions page or contact our office for more information.

Use each button below to download County Fair rule books, forms, and state fair requirements.