About Us
Contributions from Chelan and Douglas County 4-H Clubs or members are encouraged. Contact the Webmaster for details.
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4-H is the Youth Development organization of Washington State University.
It is delivered in communities across the state in partnerships with each County Government. Every County in the state of Washington has 4-H programs thanks to this collaboration. 4-H is also part of a national organization that helps guide the program’s policies and operations to insure uniformity across the country and to enhance the potential engagement of each 4-H member. The program is over 100 years old, rooted in the history of Cooperative Extension’s own beginnings. See the 4-H Story for more details.
Thank you for visiting our page and please let us know if you have further questions or for assistance locating a club with the project you are interested in.
What is 4-H All About?
4-H provides hands-on learning opportunities for kids from ages 5 through age 18. Youth can choose from a number of projects to be involved in, ranging from Animal Science to Environmental Science to Expressive Arts. 4-H offers workshops, clinics, conferences, camps, community service projects and leadership development opportunities at the local, state and national levels. 4-H clubs are groups of young people with adult volunteers who meet regularly for their chosen projects. 4-H members form lifelong friendships, develop leadership skills, and practice real-life application of concepts through project work. 4-H is not just for youths, parents and adult volunteers are also involved in 4-H. Contact us for more information on joining a 4-H club, or becoming a volunteer.
Membership and Enrollment Requirements
Membership is open to youth ages 5 by October 1 of the current 4-H year, through age 18 on October 1 of the current year. The “4-H Year” runs from October 1 through September 31 of the following year.
Age Divisions
Cloverbud Ages 5-7
Junior Ages 8-10
Intermediate Ages 11-13
Senior Ages 14-18
There are Some Restrictions
- Members must be 8 years old by October 1 of the current 4-H year to be eligible for the following:
- large animal projects including beef, dairy, large goat, equine, sheep, llama, and swine.
- competitive situations, including livestock shows or sales.
- food preservation projects using hot water bath or pressure canning methods.
- projects using firearms or motorized vehicles.
- Cloverbud members may enroll in pygmy/miniature goat, horseless horse projects, other small livestock as well as other projects
How is 4-H Delivered?
For the most part, 4-H depends on parent/family members to serve as adult volunteers to mentor and guide youth in the 4-H experience. The have access to the other staff in the local Extension office as appropriate. and the “Guides” that are available for them to use are written by educational specialists from around the country. These materials can be seen by clicking HERE.
1. Organized 4-H Club – Neighborhood or Community-based
An organized group of youth with adult volunteer leaders, youth officers and a planned program carried out throughout all or several months of the year. These may focus on a single project or be, multi-project, even whole community clubs. The club meets on their own schedule at the homes of the members, volunteers or a community setting.
2. Individual 4-H
Planned learning experiences that occur independent of a formal group setting, as an individual, or family effort, with mentoring coming primarily from the parents, grandparents or other family person(s). All the prjoects and opportunities available to an organized club are also open to the Individual.
3. After School Programs
Available on a self-supporting basis, usually when grant funds have been secured or when requested and supported by the school. 4-H project materials and other resources are available. Call the 4-H Office for details (509-667-6540).
4. Challenge Experiential Learning
“Learn by Doing” at its best. For school groups, families and 4-H clubs. See our web pages for more information:www.ncw.wsu.edu/4h/challenge/
5. Eco-Stewardship Program
Promotes respect for our environment while exposing youth to the knowledge and skills needed to be good citizens and stewards of the world we live in. See our web pages at: www.ncw.wsu.edu/4h/ecostewardship.html
Volunteers Needed!
Do you have skills or knowledge that you would enjoy passing on to others? Everyone has some kind of expertise that could benefit the youths involved in 4-H. Volunteers are needed in a variety of projects, from sewing, to horseback riding, to public speaking. If you have experience in one of the projects, or just want to help children achieve their goals, being a 4-H volunteer is for you.
For a comprehensive list of all the projects and opportunities available through the Chelan-Douglas 4-H program, and statewide programs, click HERE
Why Should YOU Volunteer?
- Have fun with kids
- Be a mentor and have a positive impact on kids
- Stay young and active
- Receive training and develop new skills
- Meet new people and make friends
- Be a leader in your community
How Do YOU Become a Volunteer?
- Complete enrollment forms and volunteer applications
- You will be screened through Washington State Patrol
- Attend training session
4-H in Chelan & Douglas Counties
There are approximately 200 leaders and 400 members, enrolled annually in the many programs that are part of Chelan-Douglas 4-H. Our members participate in activities in their clubs, at county, state and national levels as well.
In 4-H, members design their own learning experience and lay out their plan of action in Record Books, enlisting the assistance of their 4-H Leaders and their parents. Members range in age from 5-18. Project expectations become more difficult as the 4-Her gets older. Cloverbud members ages 5-7, have some limitations when joining 4-H. We believe they are too young, developmentally, to safely handle large animals and that competition is not an appropriate learning strategy for this age group. Accordingly, they may not enroll in large animal projects because of concerns for the member’s safety; also, they are not permitted to be judged competitively. For example they may exhibit at county fair but their exhibits – small animals or still life entries – are automatically given special ribbons; they are not judged against the standards for the exhibit as are those of all other members.
In our program, you can decide if you want to be part of the competitions that are available in 4-H or not. If not, the full range of projects and most county, state and national opportunities are still available to you. Why not check out the many programs that are available through Chelan – Douglas County 4-H, where we “Make the best, better!”