4-H
Youth Development

Interested in ropes courses and team-building?
Click to visit our 4-H Challenge Program website and find out how it can be used with your club, students, coworkers, or family!

What is 4-H?

4-H members "learn by doing." Through hands-on learning experiences, youth members, with guidance from adult volunteers, learn useful skills they can use throughout their lifetimes.

Over 100 years of success proves educational philosophy of "learn by doing"

How can I join 4-H?

Any boy or girl, 5 years old and in kindergarten through 19 years of age, may participate in the 4-H Program.

The 4-H year begins in October with enrollment open to new 4-H families through April each year. Parents should contact the 4-H office in October as early in the 4-H year as possible to be placed in contact with a club in your vicinity.

Do I have to have animals or live on a farm?

Nope! 4-H Clubs can explore any subject area or project that interests them! Project areas include but are not limited to: Expressive Arts, Family Living, Mechanical Sciences, Environmental Stewardship, Plant Sciences, Social Sciences, Animal Sciences, and Self-Determined projects.

Click to see more project topics!

Every 4-H member selects at least one project. A project is what the member decides to learn about, make, or raise. Members choose projects that fit into their family, community, and the way they live. Sharing projects with parents brings 4-H into the family and the family into 4-H.

4-H Members also participate in many of the following activities to enrich their 4-H experience:

Public Presentations
4-H members show and tell others how to do something they have learned. Members learn public speaking and communication skills while helping others.

Record Keeping
4-H members keep a written record of what they have done during the 4-H year. Keeping records helps members evaluate their learning and develop business sense.

Recreation
4-Hers learn to enjoy life, themselves, and their association with others in social activities.

Community Service Projects
The entire club can plan a project. In community service projects, 4-H'ers do things to improve their community. 4-H clubs often choose projects in conservation, beautification, safety, or health.

County Contests and Fairs
4-H members can choose to take part in judged contests. Through the judging process members learn how to "make the best better," or in other words, how to improve their projects. Contests and fairs also give members a sense of pride and accomplishment. 4-H'ers receive ribbons and prizes for their efforts. The Thurston County Fair is our showcase event of the year. The fair always falls on the first weekend in August and runs Wednesday through Sunday.

4-H Camp and Conferences
Many 4-H members choose to attend 4-H camps and conferences. A variety of day camps and overnight experiences are available to choose from, for both younger members and teens. Partial scholarships or "campships" are often available.

Who Helps 4-H Members?

4-H members are taught by adult volunteer club leaders. Every club has one or more adult leaders. Leaders teach, organize and oversee the club, help club officers conduct business meetings, and keep parents updated about 4-H activities and deadlines.

There are a variety of leadership roles:

• Main Club Leader - club organizer
• Project Leader - works with members on their projects
• Activity Leader - responsible for one or more activities. Examples are:
  recreation, record keeping, public presentations, and community service.
• Resource Leader - someone knowledgeable about a specific project area that clubs can turn to for assistance or advice.

Adults interested in becoming volunteer leaders may contact the 4-H office to attend the required 4-H Orientation Night and complete the application and screening process. Volunteer adult leaders can start a brand new club anytime starting in October through April.

To learn more or to join 4-H call:
(360)867-2157
or e-mail:
Emily Killeen, 4-H Program Coordinator

Please note that our office has moved to a new location:

4131 Mud Bay Road West
Olympia, WA 98502