4-H is the youth development program of Washington State University. 4-H is where there’s fun in learning and hands-on experiential education. One of the ways youth can participate in 4-H is by joining a 4-H Club.
What is a 4-H Club?
Clubs are the foundation of the 4-H program. A club can be any size from a small group of kids from one neighborhood to a larger club consisting of youth from all over the county. Each club is led by volunteers in their community.
What happens in a 4-H Club?
A 4-H club usually concentrates on one or more projects such as gardening, woodworking, small animals, food and nutrition, photography, STEM, etc. 4-H members build leadership by electing officers and conducting their own business meetings; work together on community service activities; meet new friends; and most important, have lots of fun.
What age must you be to join a 4-H Club?
The following groups are identified for special programs and activity participation within the 4-H Youth Development Program (age based on age as of October 1 of the current program year):
| Cloverbud: | Ages 5 – 7 |
| Junior: | Ages 8 -10 |
| Intermediate: | Ages 11 – 13 |
| Senior: | Ages 14 – Less than 19 |
Cloverbuds are youth ages 5-7. This is a non-competitive learning experience.
Juniors are youth 8 years and older and may enroll in many different 4-H projects. Members of this age may exhibit their completed work to be judged for awards.
Intermediate and senior 4-H members also have special opportunities, such as participating in Know your Government, WSU Teen Conference, and the King County Teen Leaders of Tomorrow Club.
Youth may stay in 4-H until his/her 19th birthday (must be before October 1 of the current 4-H year). Youth older than 19 and enrolled in special education classes may belong to 4-H with the approval of the county 4-H Faculty.
How do you join a 4-H Club?
Look at our Open Clubs list – see if there are clubs in your area you want to call or visit. Some clubs may be full and not taking new members at this time.
If there is not a club available in your area, we would love to help you start a new 4-H club in your community. All you need is an adult volunteer who likes to work with youth, and five kids from three families. We will provide support, training, curricula and assistance for your club to be fun, educational, and successful.
Starting a 4-H Club
A 4-H Club:
- Is an organized group of youth.
- Has a planned program that is ongoing thoughout all or most of the year.
- Is advised by adult staff or volunteers.
- Typically elects officers.
- May meet in any location.
- Includes opportunities to learn skills through a wide variety of project experiences.
- Offers opportunities for leadership, citizenship/community service, and public speaking.
Steps in Establishing a 4-H Club
- Contact the county 4-H staff.
- Become a leader by attending local 4-H volunteer/leader training.
- Obtain county and state 4-H policies and guidelines.
- Assess youth, parent and community needs and interests.
- Recruit potential club members.
- Conduct an organizational meeting.
- Recruit project leaders and distribute curricula.
- Complete and submit enrollment and other appropriate reports.
- Assist with club by-laws preparation.
How Do We Recruit 4-H Members?
How Many Should We Have?
4-H clubs should have at least five members from 3 or more families. Some suggest that 6 to 10 members per adult leader is an optimum number. Limit your first group to a number with which you and your co-leaders feel comfortable!
Recruiting members is seldom hard to do. Start with a contact to your county Extension staff for names and ideas. You can always write newspaper articles, recruit at schools or church, or just talk up the club to parents and children you know.
Remember that 4-H must be available to all people equally without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or handicap.
How Do I Enroll My Members?
Washington State University King County Extension uses 4-HOnline 2.0 for enrollment, please contact the local office. All 4-H members must re-enroll every year. Enrollment begins on October 1st each year.
CURIOUS KIDS 4-H – AUBURN
Projects: Aerospace, STEM, LEGO’s, Photography – 8 years and up
Contact: Alex – cooperjuchems@mac.com or 253-670-5513
Meetings: TBD/Starts in October
We have openings for 4-H members.
TOP CATS 4-H CLUB – AUBURN & ENUMCLAW AREA
Projects: Cats – all 4-H ages
Contact: Caroline – 4htopcats@gmail.com or 253-414-7089
Meetings: Saturday 10 am – noon/once a month beginning October 19th
https://www.facebook.com/TopCatsKingCounty4H
We have openings for new 4-H members.
AUBURN VALLEY TAILWAGGERS – AUBURN
Projects: Dogs – all 4-H ages
Contact: Kirsten – kirsteniweber@gmail.com or avtdogs4h@gmail.com or
253-334-5121
Meetings: Monday @ 630 pm – begins October 14th
We need additional volunteers and also need an Agility Trainer
Website: https://kc4hdogs.wixsite.com/avt4h/info#!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/avt4h/
We have openings for new 4-H members.
We welcome new volunteers and Agility Trainer volunteer.
MUCKLESHOOT SYA YA 4-H – AUBURN
Projects: horses, STEM, various
Contact: Kelly – kelly.ferguson@muckleshoot-health.com or 253-333-3605
Meetings: Tuesdays 4-6 pm at the Muckleshoot Big Blue Barn
Website: https://muckleshootsyaya.com/
KELSEY CREEK CRITTERS – BELLEVUE
Projects: Rabbits, Poultry, Cavies – ages 8-18, Cloverbuds accepted only from already enrolled families, please.
Contact: Kandi – kandi@dodrill.net
Meetings: first three Tuesdays of the month, 630-830 pm
We have openings for new 4-H members.
We have openings for additional volunteers.
https://www.facebook.com/kelseycreekcritters/
MAPLE VALLEY MARKSMEN – BLACK DIAMOND
Projects: Rifle, Shotgun & Archery – ages 8-18
Contact: Robert – maplevalleymarskmen4h@gmail.com or 206-405-0401
Meetings: Firearms every 2nd & 4th Monday at 530 pm
Archery every 1st & 3rd Monday at 530 pm
We have openings for new 4-H members.
We need volunteers who have backgrounds in safe use and handling of firearms.
https://www.facebook.com/MapeValleyMarksmen/
BLUE RIBBON 4-H – BLACK DIAMOND & MAPLE VALLEY
Projects: Llama, Rabbits, Sheep & Chickens – 8 years and up
Contact: Heidi White – heydiddi@hotmail.com or 253-426-9549
Meetings: 630 pm/begins October 30th
We need additional volunteers for all projects!
https://www.facebook.com/Blue-Ribbon-4H-Club-1413706108871113/
We need resource volunteers for all of our projects.
We have openings for 4-H members.
CLASSIC RIDERS – BUCKLEY
Projects: 4-H Horse – all ages
Contact: Lori – lori75@outlook.com or 253-307-0758
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of month at 630 pm begins 10/8/2019
https://www.facebook.com/groups/160188907758036/
We have openings for new 4-H members!
TEKERZ ROBOTICS – BURIEN
Projects: Robotics – 7th -12th grade
Contact: Chris – tekerzrobotics@gmail.com or 425-351-4737
Meetings: Tuesdays & Thursdays 5-8 pm Highline Robotics Alliance; August – March, Saturdays
We need additional volunteers and mentors for Engineering, Business and Graphic Artists.
We have openings available for new 4-H members.
https://www.facebook.com/first3574
SKUNKWORKS – BURIEN
Projects: Robotics – 7th -12th grade
Contact: Andy –
Meetings: Highline Robotics Alliance
Instagram – @Skunkworks1983
Must be a student in the Puget Sound region to participate.
CASCADE HOME EC – ENUMCLAW
Projects: Cooking, Sewing, …
Contact: Jim or Nancy
Meetings:
CLOVERLEAF – ENUMCLAW
Projects: Goats, Robotics, STEAM
Contact: Susan – 206-909-2643 or
City/Meeting Location: Enumclaw
Day & Time of Meetings: 3rd Thursday each month at 7 pm
Age 8-18 and Cloverbuds
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/502193283142888/about/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/502193283142888/about/
Cloverleaf 4-H Club (has to be exact because there are several similar sites for other state clubs)
EVERGREEN EQUESTRIANS – ENUMCLAW
Projects: 4-H Horse – all ages
Contact: Jennifer – evergreenequestrians@gmail.com or 253-861-8231
Meetings: begin October 3rd – First Thursday of month at 630 pm at Thunder Mountain Middle School
We are accepting new 4-H members.
We need additional volunteers for all projects!
RAINIER RABBITS – ENUMCLAW
Projects: Rabbits and Cavies – all 4-H ages
Contact: Ashleigh – rainierrabbits@gmail.com or 253-797-7411
Meetings: Wednesdays at 6 pm – begins October 30th
https://www.facebook.com/Rainier-Rabbits-4-H-Youth-Club-187726647943033/
We have openings available for new 4-H members.
SIRIUS DOG CLUB – ENUMCLAW
Projects: Dogs – all 4-H ages
Contact: Sarah – siriusdogclub@gmail.com (email only)
Meetings: Wednesdays at 630 pm – Muckleshoot Library once a month & at Argus Ranch 3 times a month
Facebook page – private group/4-H members & families only
We have openings available for new 4-H members.
MOUNTED MAGIC – ISSAQUAH & HOBART
Projects: 4-H Horse – all 4-H ages
Contact: Rebecca – reroper@yahoo.com or 206-713-0197
Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6 pm beings 9/11/2019 – Mirrormont Club House
We have openings available for new 4-H club members.
HOMESTEADING HALF-PINTS – MAPLE VALLEY
Projects: Rabbits, Poultry, Cavies, Gardening, Art and Science
Contact: Michele – michelepilon28976@gmail.com
Meetings: begin October 21st, 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, 530-630 pm at Maple Valley Grange
https://www.facebook.com/mvhomesteadinghalfpints4H/
SNOQUALMIE VALLEY EVERGREENS – NORTH BEND
Projects: Rabbits & Livestock – all 4-H ages
Contact: Amy – aimshoe@gmail.com or 206-713-2146
Meetings: Wednesdays at 6 pm begins 10/9/2019
https://www.facebook.com/SnoqualmieValleyEvergreens4H/
We have openings available for new 4-H members!
GOLDEN HORSESHOES – RENTON
Projects: Equine 4-H Horse
Contact: Michelle -mlnewberg@comcast.net or 253-905-8594
Meetings: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7 pm begins 10/12/19
We have openings available for new 4-H members.
https://www.facebook.com/Golden-Horseshoes-4H-Club-166016963600958/
CEDAR RIVER RASCALS – RENTON
Projects: Cats, Crafts, Photography – ages 8-15 years
Contact: Nancy – nancygs122047@comcast.net or 425-255-5190
Meetings: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month – 630-830 pm
We have openings available for new 4-H members!
https://www.facebook.com/crr4H/
COOPED UP IN SEATTLE – SEATTLE
Projects: Poultry, Sewing, Gardening, Photography, Cooking & Baking – ages 9-19
Contact: Barbara – barbaramoen@msn.com or 206-331-2170
Meetings: Second Saturday of month 10 am – 12 noon beginning October 12th
We have openings available for new 4-H members.
We need more volunteers in Poultry!
https://www.facebook.com/CoopedUpInSeattle4H
STITCH IN THYME – SEATTLE
Projects: Creative Arts, Food & Nutrition, Photography & Leadership – ages 5-18
Contact: Anna – alzagelow@gmail.com or 206-349-3267
Meetings: Varies for teen group; Cloverbuds 1st Thursday afternoon of month
Instagram: stitch_in_thyme4h
A BOOK OF ADVENTURE – SOUTHCENTER/TUKWILA
Projects: Cooking, Sewing, STEM – ages 5-18
Contact: Floy – flzwez@yahoo.com or 206-473-0876
Meetings: Friday 12 – 2 pm
We have openings available for new 4-H members!
TEEN LEADERS OF TOMORROW – SOUTHCENTER/TUKWILA
Projects: Leadership – ages 7th grade and up
Contact: Floy – flzwez@yahoo.com or 206-473-0876
Meetings: 3rd Thursday of month 630 -830 pm
We have openings available for new 4-H Teen Leaders of Tomorrow!
VASHON ROCK RIDERS – VASHON
Projects: 4-H Horse – ages 8-18
Contact: Marie – marievsh@yahoo.com or 206-463-2065
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Saturday at 10 am – Paradise Ridge Park begins 9/28/2019
We have openings available for new 4-H members!
| City | |||
| Auburn | Lucky Horseshoes | Horse | |
| Bellevue | Eastside Hushpuppies | Dog | |
| Enumclaw | Cascade Home Ec | Cooking | |
| Enumclaw | Ganados | Livestock | |
| Vashon | Eyes of the Future | Guide Dogs | |