A black banner image with icons representing the various programs of the 4H Program.
Clallam County
4-H Program
WSU Extension > Clallam County > 4-H Program

4-H Program

Learn more about the 4-H Brand Essence.

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The 4-H Mission

4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

In 4‑H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every youth has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. 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.

Who can join 4-H?

4-H is open to every youth, ages 5-19, without discrimination! Join 4-H today!

There are four age groups in which you can do a wide variety of projects and activities:

  • Cloverbuds: ages 5-7
  • Junior: ages 8-10
  • Intermediate: ages 11-13
  • Senior: ages 14 to less than 19

Shooting sports and large animal projects require youth to be at least 8 years of age to participate.

A participant’s 4-H age is determined by the age of the youth by October 1st of the current 4-H year.

About 4-H

The 4-Hs stand for Head, Heart, Hands, & Health.  With our full selves we have fun creating Positive Change in our world.  There’s even a 4-H pledge about how we help to create this change.

I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

The 4-H Pledge
The 4-H Pledge.
The 4-H Pledge
An infographic about the 4-H Vision.
The 4-H Vision

The 4-H Motto

“Make the Best Better”

The 4-H Vision

A world in which youth and adults learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change.

Annually, 4-H’ers participate in

  • 5 million Science Projects
  • 2.5 million Healthy Living Projects
  • 2.5 million Citizenship Projects

The 4-H Approach

“Learn by Doing” in 5 steps.

  • 1. Experience
  • 2. Share
  • 3. Process
  • 4. Generalize
  • 5. Apply

4-H uses an experiential learning model, which means we “learn by doing” through hands-on experiences.

4-H volunteer leaders and staff make sure that youth have a safe place to dive right into what they want to learn!

Once we dive in, we always take time to share so that we can take our experiences to deeper levels of understanding.

An Infographic showing the 5 steps of the 4-H approach.
The 4-H Approach – Do, Reflect, Apply
an infographic about the Essential Elements of 4-H
The Essential Elements of 4-H

The “Essential Elements” of 4-H

Belonging – Mastery – Independence – Generosity

The Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development are basic principles upon which the 4-H Youth Development Program operates.

Incorporating these elements enables the 4-H Program to focus on positive outcomes desired for youth; provide programs for all young people; view youth as central actors in their own development; and consider the development of the whole young person.

The 4-H Office is located at 1914 W. 18th St, Port Angeles within the WSU Extension Office.

WSU 4-H Youth Development is committed to providing safe and inclusive environments for all youth and adults regardless of race; sex; gender; sexual orientation; gender identity; gender expression; religion; age; color; creed; national or ethnic origin; citizenship; physical, mental, or sensory ability; genetic information; and/or status as an honorably discharged veteran or member of the military.

WSU Extension Programs and Employment are available to all without discrimination.

Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension Office.