4-H Site Navigation
Join a San Juan County 4-H Club
Every 4-H member joins a local club where they explore their interests, build friendships, develop leadership skills, and learn through hands-on experiences.
Not sure where to start?
- Find your island below.
- Review club descriptions.
- Contact a club leader.
- Attend a meeting before enrolling.
New to 4-H?
Not sure which club is right for your family?
Start with:
- Your island of residence
- Your child’s interests
- The projects they would like to explore
Many families visit more than one club before deciding which is the best fit.
Contact the 4-H Coordinator if you need help finding the right club.
Program Contact
Clinton Gauthier, 4-H Program CoordinatorPhone NumberCall or Text: (360) 350-2209 Email Address • sanjuan.4-h@wsu.edu
Find a Club by Interest
Animals
Dogs – Canine Kids
Cats – Caboodle Cat Club
Small Animals – Country Critters, Fur & Feathers, Lopez General
Livestock – SJI Livestock, Fur & Feathers, Lopez General
Arts & Crafts
Fur & Feathers
Lopez General
Shaw Island 4-H
STEM & Science
Shaw Island 4-H
San Juan SPIN
Foods & Baking
Sous-per Chefs
Lopez General
San Juan County 4-H offers 15 clubs across Lopez, Orcas, Shaw, and San Juan Islands, along with county-wide opportunities in leadership and special interest projects.
Current Clubs
While our clubs are primarily listed by island, they are open to anyone county wide. Each family is responsible for providing transportation to and from club meetings and as we all know the ferry schedule is not always friendly for inter-island travel!
No two 4-H clubs are exactly alike. Some focus on a specific project area, while others offer opportunities to explore many different interests. Browse the clubs below to find the best fit for your family, then contact a club leader to learn more and attend a meeting.
County Wide 4-H Clubs
Island Leaders
Perfect for youth interested in leadership, entrepreneurship, public speaking, and helping shape the future of San Juan County 4-H. Members develop leadership skills while planning activities and representing youth voices across the county.
Contact: Clinton Gauthier
Main Projects: Leadership & Entrepreneurship
Meeting Location: Hybrid out of Friday Harbor
San Juan SPIN Club
Designed for youth pursuing special interests or projects not currently offered through another local club. This flexible club helps members explore new ideas, emerging project areas, and individualized learning opportunities.
Contact: Clinton Gauthier
Main Projects: Special Interests, Short-Term Projects, Emerging Project Areas
Meeting Location: No set meeting location or leader
Lopez Island 4-H Clubs
Lopez Horse Rangers
A great fit for youth interested in horses, horsemanship, riding skills, and responsible horse care. Members learn through hands-on experiences while building confidence and responsibility.
Contact: Trisha Arnott
Main Projects: Horse
Meeting Location: Lopez Island
Lopez General Club
Ideal for families looking for a traditional community 4-H experience on Lopez Island with a variety of project opportunities. Members can explore livestock, gardening, baking, photography, small animals, leadership, and more.
Contact: Sage Dilts
Main Projects: Livestock, Small Animal, Gardening, Baking, Photography and more
Meeting Location: Lopez Island
Orcas Island 4-H Clubs
Fur & Feathers
Perfect for youth who enjoy a wide range of project opportunities, from livestock and small animals to arts, gardening, photography, and performing arts. This club offers something for nearly every interest on Orcas Island.
Contact: Dana Kinsey
Main Projects: Livestock, Small Animal, Performing Arts, Crafts, Gardening, Photography, and more
Meeting Location: Orcas Island
Shaw Island 4-H Clubs
Shaw Island 4-H Club
A multi-project community club that gives youth the opportunity to explore everything from animals and woodworking to STEM, arts, and rocketry. Ideal for families seeking a broad and flexible 4-H experience on Shaw Island.
Contact: Jan Sanburg
Main Projects: Large and Small Animals, Visual and Creative Arts, Woodworking, Rocketry, STEM, and more
Meeting Location: Shaw Island
San Juan Island 4-H Clubs
Caboodle Cat Club
Designed for youth who love cats and want to learn about feline care, health, showmanship, and responsible pet ownership.
Contact: Katy Foster
Main Projects: Cats
Meeting Location: Skagit Valley College – San Juan Center
Canine Kids
A great choice for dog lovers interested in training, handling, showmanship, and improving communication and teamwork with their dogs.
Contact: Alex Forgie-Williams
Main Projects: Dogs
Meeting Location: Skagit Valley College – San Juan Center & Marie Boe Building
Country Critters
Perfect for youth interested in rabbits, cavies, and poultry. Members learn animal care, husbandry, showmanship, record keeping, and exhibition skills.
Contact: Megan Brown
Main Projects: Cavy, Poultry, Rabbit
Meeting Location: Marie Boe Building
Natural Sciences Club
Ideal for curious youth who enjoy exploring the natural world through hands-on learning in entomology, environmental stewardship, biology, geology, and outdoor exploration.
Contact: Megan Brown
Main Projects: Entomology, Environmental Stewardship & Exploration, Natural Sciences
Meeting Location: San Juan Island
Ramblers General Club
An excellent starting point for new families and members looking to learn about 4-H opportunities, county activities, and project options before specializing in a particular project area.
Contact: Clinton Gauthier
Main Projects: General 4-H Information
Meeting Location: San Juan Island as needed
Rising Star Bakers – Elementary Aged Youth
Created for younger youth who enjoy baking, cooking, and learning kitchen skills. Members build confidence while developing food preparation and nutrition knowledge.
Contact: Anthony Calandra
Main Projects: Baking & Foods
Meeting Location: Marie Boe Building
San Juan Island Livestock
A great fit for youth interested in large animal projects including beef, dairy, goats, sheep, and swine. Members learn animal husbandry, responsibility, leadership, and fair exhibition skills.
Contact: Elexis Fredy
Main Projects: Beef, Dairy, Goats, Sheep, Swine
Meeting Location: Skagit Valley College – San Juan Center
Sous-per Chefs – Middle & High School Aged Youth
Designed for middle and high school youth who want to expand their culinary skills, explore food science, and learn more advanced cooking techniques.
Contact: Anthony Calandra
Main Projects: Foods
Meeting Location: Marie Boe Building
Still Life Society
Perfect for creative youth who enjoy photography, woodworking, sewing, horticulture, crafts, and other non-animal project areas. Members are encouraged to explore their interests while developing practical skills and creativity.
Contact: Kathryn Gauthier
Woodworking Contact: Leslie Neal
Main Projects: Horticulture, Photography, Woodworking, Sewing, Crafts, and more
Meeting Location: Skagit Valley College – San Juan Center
Interested in Starting a 4-H Club?
Don’t see a club that matches you or your youth interests? Want to help youth explore a project area you’re passionate about?
Starting a 4-H club is a great way to build opportunities for young people in your community while sharing your skills, knowledge, and interests with the next generation.
Whether you’re interested in:
- Animals and agriculture
- Arts and crafts
- STEM and robotics
- Outdoor education
- Cooking and baking
- Leadership development
- Or something entirely new
the San Juan County 4-H program can help you turn your idea into a youth learning opportunity.
Many of our clubs started because one caring adult saw a need and decided to help make it happen.
Getting Started
We’d love to talk with you about your idea.
Contact the San Juan County 4-H Office to discuss:
- Your project area or club concept
- Volunteer certification requirements
- Or learn more on the Volunteer with 4-H page
- Available curriculum and resources
- Club startup expectations
- Support available from county staff and volunteers
Ready to Explore Your Idea?
Email: San Juan County 4-H
Phone: (360) 350-2209
Start here before recruiting youth or selecting a meeting location. We’ll help guide you through the process.
What Is a 4-H Club?
A 4-H club is an organized group of youth who meet regularly with at least two certified adult volunteers to learn, lead, serve their communities, and explore project areas that interest them.
4-H clubs provide youth opportunities to develop:
- Belonging
- Mastery
- Independence
- Generosity
through hands-on learning experiences.
Basic Club Requirements
A recognized 4-H club generally:
- Includes at least five youth from three different families
- Meets regularly throughout the year
- Provides youth leadership opportunities
- Operates under approved club guidelines or bylaws
- Is led by certified and trained volunteers
- Follows all Washington State 4-H policies and financial guidelines
- Welcomes all eligible youth
Important Planning Deadlines
If you are interested in starting a new club:
- New animal project clubs should be established by March 1
- New still life project clubs should be established by June 1
All new clubs must be reviewed and approved by the WSU Extension Office and comply with San Juan County 4-H Leaders Council policies.