4-H facts, fiction
What is 4-H?
4-H is an informal, educational organization for youth between the ages of 7 and 18. 4-H focuses on developing life skills.
What is a 4-H Club?
A 4-H club is a group of five or more youth with the guidance of an adult leader. Clubs meet on a regular basis. Members hold offices and participate in business meetings, group decisions, and community service and leadership positions.
What's a 4-H project?
4-H projects are in-depth learning experiences for 4-H members. Training pets, making clothing, repairing computers, growing plants, and building rockets are just a few examples.
Why join 4-H?
4-H is fun with friends; learning and doing cool things; meetings, camps, workshops, social activities, trips, and fairs; leadership opportunities and helping others, and responsibility, hard work and success.
Isn't 4-H for farm kids?
4-H is open to everyone. A majority of 4-Hers across the USA lives in cities.
Must parents know 4-H?
Parents don't have to have 4-H experience for their children to participate or enjoy 4-H.
Does it take a lot of time?
You choose your level of involvement in 4-H. 4-H is a family affair, allowing your family to be together. You can make it work for the time you have.
How much does it cost?
4-H has no membership registration fee. There may be costs associated with project materials and activities that members choose to participate in.
What's the 4-H emblem?
The 4-H emblem is a four-leaf green clover with 4 H's, one on each leaf. The four H's represent:
— Head: critical thinking, problem solving
— Heart: self-discipline,
integrity, communication
— Hands: serving others
gHealth: healthy lifestyle
Do you get awards?
4-H'ers are constantly being encouraged and rewarded, from the pat on the back to scholarships to help pay for college. The big events during the 4-H year include:
— Achievement Night: An annual celebration for 4-H members, parents and leaders which recognizes individual and club successes for the past year.
— County Fair: The county fair is the main event where 4-H'ers can display exhibits that represent their project work. It provides members an evaluation of their exhibits and offers an opportunity for the public to see their work.
— Kansas State Fair: The 4-H division of the Kansas State Fair is for 4-H'ers 10 years and older who qualified at their county fair. The state fair is held in September in Hutchinson, Kansas.
— Leadership Forum: A conference is for teens 14 and older at Rock Springs 4-H Center. Delegates attend classes, hear motivational speakers and share ideas.
Who do I call to join?
For the club nearest you, contact the Marion County Extension office at the courthouse annex, (620) 382-2325.
