Want to start a 4-H club?
Contact your WSU Extension Office or visit the Volunteer Resources page for a 4-H volunteer application.
New animal project clubs must be established by March 1 of the current 4-H year, and new still life project clubs must be established by June 1 of the current 4-H year, according to San Juan County 4-H Leaders Council Policy. All potential clubs must be vetted and approved by the WSU Extension Office.
4-H Club Definition
The WSU 4–H Youth Development Program and the 4–H National Headquarters define a 4–H Club as an organized group of at least five youth from three different families who meet regularly with a minimum of 2 Certified 4–H Volunteers or staff for a long–term, progressive series of educational experiences.
The Club Purpose
The purpose of a 4–H Club is to provide positive youth development opportunities to meet the needs of young people to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity—the Essential Elements—and to foster educational opportunities tied to the land–grant university knowledge base.
Structure of a 4-H Club
- Enrolls at least 5 youth members from at least 3 families
- Conducts a minimum of 6 regular club meetings per year, with many holding 9–12 regular meetings throughout most or all of the year, and often supplemented by project meetings, camps, fairs, and other 4-H learning activities
- Selects youth officers or youth leaders to provide leadership to the club
- Provides youth involvement in leadership and decision-making
- Has written operating guidelines, bylaws, or a constitution approved by members to govern the club or group
- Meets in any location—a home, community center, military installation, library, public housing site, school, afterschool program, and/or many other places that are agreeable by the club
- Submits a written program of work to the WSU Extension county office for the current 4-H year
- Meets interests and needs of youth in same-age or cross-age groupings and using single project or multiple project formats
- Enrolls any youth eligible for 4-H membership, regardless of race; sex/gender; sexual orientation; gender identity/expression; religion; age; color; creed; national or ethnic origin; physical, mental or sensory disability, including disability requiring the use of a trained service animal; or genetic information
- Is advised by Certified 4-H Volunteers who have been screened and trained
- Follows all financial policies, guidelines, and practices
Source: Washington State 4-H Policies and Procedures Manual 2021/2022
Want to join an existing club?
Contact the WSU Extension Office to connect with club leaders and members.
Click here for more information about joining 4-H.
Project availability depends on volunteer support, and those volunteers are often parents or guardians of our 4-H members. Learn more and apply for volunteering with 4-H here.
Lopez Island
- Horse Rangers – Horse
- Lopez Livestock General Club – Beef, Dairy, Swine, Sheep and Goats; Photography
Orcas Island
- Fur & Feathers – This is a multi-project club, which includes Cattle, Rabbit, Poultry, Goat, Sheep, Cavy, Swine, Gardening, Photography, Crafts, and Foods
San Juan Island
- Community Club – Meets once per month and is open to youth interested in all 4-H project areas (small and large livestock, horse, crafts, sewing, baking, citizenship, and self-determined projects)
- Bits & Spurs – Horse
- Country Critters – Rabbit, Poultry, and Cavy
- San Juan Island Livestock – Sheep, Goat, Dairy, Beef, and Swine
Shaw Island
- Shaw Island Rocks, Shoots and Roots – Visual and creative art projects, Woodworking, Rocketry, and self-determined projects
Virtual 4-H Club Opportunities
- 4-H Knitting Club – Beginning knitting starting October 9, 2021, with monthly meetups. For more information, contact Toni Gwin: tgwin@wsu.edu