Become a 4-H Member
4-H welcomes youth with ages ranging from 5 to 18 by October 1st of the current 4-H year.
To become a member of 4-H club, you will need to find a club that has your project interests and to meet all enrollment deadlines and sign up on 4-H Online, the Washington State 4-H enrollment database. Before signing up as a member, please contact the office so we can assist you with the process – contact us at sanjuan.4-H@wsu.edu
The program fee is $25 for the state and $10 for the local program. If this fee is a barrier to joining, please contact the Extension Office for financial assistance.
For more information about how to use 4-H Online, please refer to our member resources or contact the local Extension office.
Enrollment direction in Spanish – Guía de inscripción 4-H en español
Translation made possible by: The Honeywell Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region
How does a 4-H’er successfully complete the year?
4-H Year-End Completion Requirements
- Participate in 2/3 of the local club meetings, or meetings with leaders or special interest groups.
- Submit a 4-H Permanent Record Book for evaluation by August 31 to your leader.
- Exhibit a poster, project or booth at the San Juan County Fair.
- Present a demonstration within the club or group.
- Participate in a community service project(s).
Further Suggested 4-H Activities
- Hold office in a local 4-H club.
- Serve on a 4-H club or county committee.
- Attend a San Juan County Leaders Council meeting.
- Mentor another 4-H member.
- Organize a service learning activity for your 4-H group.
- Attend 4-H educational activities (i.e. 4-H Camp, State Conference, N.W. Teen Rally, NW Regional Teen Summit, State Forum, Know Your Government)
After completing their 4-H year, members receive a certificate and pin.
Want to start a 4-H club?
Contact your WSU Extension Office or visit the Volunteer with 4-H 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.
Current clubs in San Juan County are listed here.
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 (PDF) Updated 10/1/2024