San Juan County 4-H Family Guidebook

Why Join San Juan County 4-H?

4-H fills a gap in San Juan County that many of our other great youth programs can’t. We offer experiential learning in over 140 state sponsored 4-H projects, many of which are not widely available through other youth programs in San Juan County. We are uniquely positioned as the primary youth agriculture education outlet in San Juan County. We provide opportunities for youth to develop life skills while exploring project areas that genuinely interest them.

Through San Juan County 4-H youth can:

• Build lifelong friendships
• Learn new skills and hobbies
• Work with caring adult mentors
• Explore leadership opportunities
• Serve their communities
• Exhibit projects at fair
• Travel to regional and state events
• Develop confidence and independence

New to 4-H? Start Here

Getting started is easy.

Step 1: Find a Club

Explore local clubs and connect with a club leader to learn more about meeting schedules and project opportunities. A list of clubs is located at the end of this guide.

Step 2: Attend a Meeting

Visit a club meeting and determine if the club is a good fit for your family.

Step 3: Enroll Online

Create your family account in 4-H Online and complete enrollment for all youth and volunteers.

Step 4: Choose Projects

Select one or more project areas that your club offers and that interest your child.

Examples include:

• Livestock
• Horse
• Rabbits
• Poultry
• Photography
• Cooking
• Sewing
• Robotics
• Gardening
• Public Speaking
• Leadership
• And so many more!

Step 5: Stay Connected

Read monthly newsletters and communications from your club leaders.

Step 6: Participate

Attend club meetings, project activities, workshops, and community events throughout the year.

Step 7: Showcase Your Learning

Many members share their project work at the San Juan County Fair through exhibits, presentations, educational displays, and showmanship competitions.

Step 8: Complete Your Year

Finish your record book by September 30 to complete the 4-H year and qualify for year-end recognition and awards.

What Is Expected of Families?

Successful 4-H experiences are built on family involvement.

Families are encouraged to:

Support Participation

Help youth attend meetings, activities, and events. Parents are always welcome to stay and participate in club meetings, activities, and events. Please confirm with the club leader or event coordinator before leaving a youth unattended at a meeting or event.

Stay Informed

Read newsletters, emails, and club communications.

Encourage Learning

Support project work at home and celebrate progress.

Volunteer

4-H is made possible by volunteers. Families are encouraged to help with activities, events, and county programs whenever possible.

Communicate

Stay in contact with club leaders and county staff regarding questions or challenges.

Ways Parents/Guardians Can Help

• Become a certified volunteer
• Help with fair setup, exhibit supervision, barn coverage, Marie Boe Building coverage, and other valuable pieces during fair.
• Assist with transportation
• Share project expertise
• Serve on committees or Leaders Council
• Ask questions and be willing to learn along with your youth!

Enrollment and Reenrollment

Parent Quick Reference Calendar

Clubs and Projects

4-H members participate through local community clubs and project areas that match their interests.

A project is a topic that a member explores throughout the year. Projects help youth build skills, set goals, solve problems, develop responsibility, and share what they have learned with others.

Project areas may include:

Members may enroll in one project or several projects depending on their interests and available time.

Project opportunities vary by club and volunteer availability. Some projects meet regularly with a project leader, while others are completed more independently with support from family members, mentors, and volunteers.

If your family is interested in a project that is not currently offered, please contact the Extension Office to learn about available resources or volunteer opportunities.

4-H curriculum and educational resources are available through the county office and Washington State University Extension.

County Fair and 4-H

How Fair Fits Into 4-H

The San Juan County Fair is an opportunity for members to showcase what they have learned throughout the year. While participation in fair is encouraged, the fair is only one part of the 4-H experience.

Members may participate through:

• Exhibits
• Educational Posters
• Demonstrations
• Showmanship
• Animal Projects
• Leadership Activities

Record Books

Cloverbuds are encouraged but not required to complete record books.

Record books are more than paperwork. They help members reflect on their learning, document goals and accomplishments, and develop important life and career skills.

Code of Conduct and Enrollment Agreements

Participation in 4-H requires agreement to:

• Washington State 4-H Code of Conduct
• Photo Release Policies
• Assumption of Risk Agreement
• Evaluation Participation Consent

These agreements are reviewed and accepted during enrollment through 4-H Online.

Full policy documents are available on the Washington State 4-H website and through the Extension Office upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to participate in fair?

No. Fair participation is encouraged but not required.

What if my family doesn’t own animals?

Many 4-H projects do not involve animals. Youth can participate in photography, sewing, cooking, STEM, leadership, environmental education, and many other project areas.

How much time does 4-H require?

Participation varies by project and family goals. Most members attend regular club meetings and spend additional time working on their projects throughout the year.

Do I have to volunteer?

No, but certified volunteer support helps strengthen the program. If you are interested in sharing your expertise with youth, we would love to talk with you about volunteer opportunities.