Welcome to Pacific County 4-H!
4-H is the youth development education program of Washington State University Extension, which is conducted jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, your state land grant university (WSU) and Pacific County. Today 4-H is everywhere–in cities, suburbs, small towns, and rural communities. In the 21st century, 4-H serves a broad clientele with expanded programs using a variety of ways to “learn by doing.”
4-H teaches life skills that lead young people to become self-directing, positive, contributing members of our society. These life skills include positive self-esteem, effective communication, a sense of responsibility to oneself and one’s community, sound decision making and a strong sense of belonging. These skills give young people the tools necessary for successful adulthood. The 4-H mission is reached through a number of delivery methods that relate to the total concept of youth development.
4-H club work has something for everyone – more than 140 projects from which to choose! Membership in Pacific County clubs is open to youth ages 5 to 19. Traditional clubs are organized and managed by volunteer adult leaders who work with the WSU Pacific County Extension Office to teach life skills education through 4-H project work. Learning life skills helps club members become competent, contributing adults.
Clubs are located in all parts of the county to make membership convenient. Enrollment in 4-H occurs annually beginning on October 1st. The results of 4-H project work are frequently seen at the County Fair in August of every year.
Who can join 4-H?
4-H is open to every youth, ages 5-19, without discrimination!
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 on October 1st of the current 4-H year to participate.
How to Join 4-H
You can join 4-H in a few easy steps:
- Find a Club:
- Find a club that offers leadership in a project you’re interested in. Contact the extension office to find a club or start your own.
- Decide on a Project:
- There are numerous different project opportunities for 4-H members to participate in and with self-determined projects. Follow this link to find the list of projects.
- Enroll in 4-H online:
- Get involved and HAVE FUN!
Need help? Please contact the extension office or take a look at this enrollment guide.
*Please note there are no enrollment fees for Pacific County 4-H youth. To ensure that our 4-H programs are available to all who wish to participate, all enrollment fees are paid by the Pacific County 4-H Leaders Council.
Please Visit or Contact Us!
We warmly welcome you to Pacific County 4-H! Whether you are new to the Clover or already part of the 4-H family, we hope that you’ll find what you’re looking for on our website. If not, please email or call the extension office.
WSU Pacific County Extension Office
Office Phone: (360) 875-9331
Mailing: P.O. Box 88
Street: 1216 W Robert Bush Dr.
South Bend, WA 98586-0088
Find us on Google Maps
Office Hours: M, W, Th: 8:30am – 1:30pm
Pacific County Extension Faculty & Staff
Toni Gwin, Extension Educator – 4-H Youth Development
Phone: (360) 875-9331, (360) 642-9331, (360) 267-8331, or (360) 484-7331
Fax: (360) 875-9304 | tgwin@wsu.edu
Sue Carbaugh, Administrative Assistant
Phone: (360) 875-9331 | scarbaugh@co.pacific.wa.us
Vision
Washington State University 4-H Youth Development is developing young people to become productive citizens who are engaged in positive change, meeting the needs of a diverse and changing society.
Mission
4-H youth development education creates supportive environments for all youth and families to reach their fullest potential.
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization. We reach out to kids and their families to build skills for real life. 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/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.
Did you know that 4-H…
- Has more than 7 million participants between the ages of 5-19 (grades K-12)
- Has more than 600,000 volunteers, working directly and indirectly with youth
- Has more than 45 million 4-H alumni
- Has been around since 1902 and going strong while adapting to the many changes within society
