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Stark-Billings County | |
Want to Join 4-H?
Updated August 12, 2009
4-H...Where Kids Invent Themselves! Want to make a Big Difference in your life? Check out 4-H! It can be the element that Turbocharges your skills into your greatest invention...you!
Discover your hidden talents in over 100 action-packed projects customized to fit your own unique interests. Work on your own or connect with others to create super cool projects with major impact.
Build lasting friendships at exciting 4-H camps and incredible workshops planned by kids...for kids like you.
Develop mega-confidence. Let 4-H help you feel at ease when you express your ideas to a group.
Pump up your creativity and imagination. You can make anything possible!
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How Can I Join? |
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What Is 4-H? |
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Join: Members & Volunteers |
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4-H Clubs |
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4-H Projects |
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4-H Leaders |
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4-H Parents |
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Learn More |
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Get Involved Today |
It's simple. First you must be between the ages of 8 and 18 for most programs. You can join a Cloverbud group at 5-7 years of age. You'll probably want to join an existing club in your area, or you can get together with some other families and form your own club.
Just contact the county extension office. 4-H is part of the Extension Service in every state.
4-H provides fun filled, hands-on experiences under the direction of caring adults. What can you do in 4-H? Lots of things! See the North Dakota 4-H Site Map to learn about programs offered in North Dakota 4-H. Stark-Billings County also offers a few other self-determined projects. To participate in 4-H, you need to enroll in at least one project, but you can take several depending on your interests.
In each project, you'll develop skills that will help you become more competent at doing things on your own. You'll also learn valuable "life skills," those things you will use later, no matter what you do in life. 4-H is a fun way to also develop skills and hobbies you will enjoy for many years.
4-H is a non-formal educational program and an organization for youth. It is open to everyone regardless of race, religion, color, gender, national origin, handicap or place of residence.
Who is in charge of 4-H?
Nationally, is is managed by the Families, 4-H and Nutrition unit of the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At the State level, 4-H is sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Service of the Land-Grant Universities in each State and Territory. The people in charge locally are the Extension Agents/Educators in each county. County staff are members of the faculty of the University. Funding for 4-H is provided through a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the State University and County Commissioners.
What do the H's Stand For?
Head, Heart, Hands and Health. They're in the 4-H members pledge:
My HEAD to clearer thinking
My HEART to greater loyalty
My HANDS to larger service
My HEALTH to better living
When is National 4-H Week?
National 4-H Week is first full week of October each year.
| What is the 4-H emblem? A green four-leafed clover with a white "H" on each clover leaf.
The official emblem is copyrighted and may be used only as approved by 4-H. |
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What is the purpose of 4-H?
The purpose of 4-H is to enable young people to acquire knowledge, develop life skills and form attitudes that enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society.
What do young people learn in 4-H
Members learn by doing: practical skills and life skills that help them become capable, self-reliant adults. 4-Hers learn practical skills about things that interest them such as cooking, raising animals, environment, computers, and leadership. Life skills young people learn are skills, knowledge, attitudes and aspirations like decision-making, managing resources, and communications - those skills needed to function in a democratic society.
What are the advantages of being in 4-H?
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Young people in 4-H have an opportunity to: |
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develop as an individual |
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learn lifelong skills related to each project |
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make new friends through 4-H meetings, events, and activities |
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work with adult volunteer leaders |
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develop pride as they learn by doing |
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develop leadership skills and the ability to speak before a group |
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and explore projects that can lead to future careers |
Why do young people like 4-H?Young people like 4-H because they have fun with friends at meetings, social activities, tours, camps and fairs. They learn to do interesting things, called projects, such as taking care of growing things like animals and plants, redecorating their rooms, fixing their bikes, taking pictures, practicing cooking, caring for the environment and much more. Some help others learn with 4-H educational programs. 4-H'ers learn about things that interest them while having fun and new experiences.
How many people are in 4-H?
In 2000, there were 6,834,338 young people and 610,595 volunteer adult and teen leaders in 4-H nationwide.
In North Dakota in 2001, there were 6,218 4-H club members who were youth in groups that meet on a regular basis; and 508 organized 4-H clubs.
How can I become a 4-H Member or Volunteer?
Call the county extension office or a local 4-H leader if you know one. Talk to someone you know who belongs to 4-H. Find out if there is room in a club near you. If not, it's easy to start a new club with some of your friends or other interested young people and one or two adults willing to help. Check with the county extension office to find out what projects and activities are available.
What is a 4-H Volunteer?
A 4-H Volunteer is anyone who contributes their time, energy, or talent to 4-H and is not paid by Extension for their contributions.
How do I get involved?
Young people can participate in 4-H in a variety of ways: community 4-H clubs, project clubs, special interest groups, school enrichment, and special activities. Young people can even participate as an individual when no other way is available.
What else do 4-H members do?
4-H club members have a wide variety of educational activities offered by the community, county, and state. Some of these activities are tours, workshops, achievement programs, camps, statewide conferences, exchanges, exhibits and fairs. 4-H club members can participate county-wide, state-wide and nationally.
How can I get a 4-H club/group organized?
Your local Extension staff will work with you to help organize a new 4-H club. Host a meeting with the young people who are interested and the adults who are willing to help. Publicize it through the school or any place young people and their parents can be reached. The Extension office has 4-H promotion materials available.
What do we do at the first meeting?
Get acquainted and have fun with a group mixer and refreshments. Talk about and demonstrate projects the group might like or be interested in learning. Give this part some thought beforehand, and talk with the Extension agent or an experienced 4-H leader. You might also involve some 4-Hers to talk about what they do. Also discuss when, where, and how often the group will meet.
How often do 4-H clubs meet?
Most area clubs meet once a month. It depends on the group and what it wants to do. 4-H clubs may organize at any time of the year. Sometimes members have to be enrolled in a project by a certain time to be eligible for a specific activity, like a fair. Check this with the county Extension office.
Where do 4-H clubs meet?
Any place large enough and is convenient for the members of the group. Some clubs meet at leaders' or members' homes. Some meet in a central place such as a school, church or community room.
What do 4-H'ers do at meetings?
Programs for meetings focus on business, educational, social, and service activities. At club meetings 4-H'ers usually do four kinds of things: project work, business meeting, recreation or social activities, and special-interest programs. Sometimes, after a short business meeting, members work on their projects or have an educational activity, then play a game or two. Other times, the meeting will be devoted entirely to one thing: everyone may bring a dog and practice obedience training; help elect officers and plan the club programs; visit a local historic site, or plant flowers at a local public building.
What are 4-H projects?
4-H projects are specific areas of planned experiences for young people to learn, such as training pets, making clothing, growing plants, or building rockets. 4-H projects are in-depth learning experiences for 4-H members. A wide range of projects are offered.
Are 4-Hers expected to do their own project work?
Yes, with help and support. 4-H is a learn-by-doing program. Leaders, junior leaders and parents may tell or demonstrate to members how some things should be done, but 4-H'ers are expected to learn how to do things themselves.
What is an exhibit?
An exhibit is an object or display designed to help young people feel they are capable and that they have accomplished something. Ideally, exhibits motivate members to learn and to have fun in a 4-H project. Exhibits are usually associated with a fair, but members can exhibit their projects at club meetings, community events and other opportunities. Members are not required to exhibit their work or participate in competition. However, participation in competitive activities and exhibits is encouraged as an educational, recognition and public awareness opportunity. An exhibit is not an end in itself, nor does it measure the learning that takes place in the process. A first-place blue ribbon is only one measure of success. Fair premiums, ribbons and other awards are incentives and symbols of recognition in many areas for those who choose to participate. Self-recognition and self satisfaction for having completed a project are important rewards.
Are projects done individually or as a group?
Both. Some projects, like biking and planting trees for conservation, are more fun when done as a group. Others like making a dress or building a bookcase will be done individually by each member of the group.
What is a 4-H leader?
An adult volunteer or teen who works voluntarily with a group of 4-H youth.
Are there different kinds of leaders?
Yes, some teach members how to do things and are called "project leaders". These leaders usually have a special interest or skill, such as photography, computers, sewing, or gardening. Others who help a group get organized and run their meetings are called "organizational leaders". "Activity leaders" coordinate a designated activity of the 4-H club, such as Family Night, tours, community service projects, club exhibits, recreational events, public speaking, and fund raising.
Where would I learn to be a 4-H leader?
Your primary source for help would be the NDSU Extension Office in your county. To prepare you for your responsibilities as a 4-H volunteer, you will receive materials you need to organize a 4-H club and help you with your job. Be sure to ask the name of an experienced leader near you whom you can call if you have questions. Extension agents and other volunteers will provide personal help throughout the year.
How can parents support their 4-Her?
4-H parents make sure their 4-H'er gets to meeting and has supplies, equipment, and materials for projects. 4-H parents give support and generate confidence by teaching their child to accept both defeat and success. Parents assist with club projects and activities.
How can parents help 4-H leaders?
Recognize that leaders are unpaid volunteers. They should offer help in any way they can. They can attend a 4-H meeting or offer to hold meetings in their homes.
How do you encourage parents to help?
Ask them. Be specific about jobs with which the 4-H group needs help. Think positively. People who expect help will probably get it. Offer a choice of jobs. People have different amounts of available time, interests, skills, and abilities. Ask 4-H members to invite their parents to become involved.
4-H is the largest out-of-school youth development organization in the US. Theres a 4-H program in every county of our country! Here are some of the ways you can be a 4-Her and join the fun.
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Join a club thats in your area |
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Start a 4-H club |
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Join a special interest groupa group that gets together for a short time to study one thing, or to participate in one activity |
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Enroll as an individual and study what you want, when you want. |
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Make a family club, right at home. |
Any way you choose, contact the NDSU Extension Office in your county and enroll today!
Who can be in 4-H?
4-Hers are in grades 3 and up (age 8 through 18 as of September 1) are invited to join. Younger kids, ages 6 and 7, are introduced to 4-H in the Cloverbud project. 4-H is open to everyone regardless of race, religion, color, gender, national origin, handicap or place of residence. 4-H is sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Service of our states 1862 Land Grant University. Contact the county extension office to learn more about 4-H.
Parents, grandparents and other adults who like kids4-H needs you as a volunteer! Important roles for volunteers include being a club leader, showing youth how to do a skill you know, listening, sharing the fun, and working together to improve our community and world! Contact the county extension office today!
4-H celebrated its 100th Birthday in 2002! Happy Birthday 4-H!
For more information contact:
Kurt Froelich, Extension Agent/Stark-Billings County
(701) 456-7665Samantha Roth, Extension Agent/Stark-Billings County
(701) 456-7665
Go to Stark-Billings 4-H Youth Development Page
Go to Stark-Billings Extension Office Home Page
Go to North Dakota 4-H Home Page