<st1:PlaceName> <st1:place><span style="font-family: Pooh"><font face="Arial" size="5">Frequent Questions About 4-H Frequently Asked Questions
About 4-H and 4-H Clubs

What is 4-H?

4-H is a volunteer-led organization that reaches boys and girls through small groups called clubs and sometimes in classrooms. 4-H members decide for themselves which of more than 60 projects they want to learn more about. Most projects use hands on learning experiences to teach subject matter and life skills such as cooperation, leadership, and decision making - skills that can be applied over and over for a lifetime.

 

Who can join 4-H?

4-H is for boys and girls who are currently in the 3rd-12th grade. It is open to everyone, regardless of race, religion, color, disability, gender, or place of residence. 

Many counties offer a pre-4-H program called Mini 4-H for youth who are in 2nd grade.

Who provides leadership for 4- H?

4-H is sponsored in Indiana by the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University. Nationally, it is part of the Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Local leadership is provided by Extension Educators in the county offices of the Cooperative Extension Service, which is supported financially by county, state, and federal tax dollars.

What do the H's stand for?

Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. This is the 4-H pledge--

"I Pledge
My head to clearer thinking
My heart to greater loyalty
My hands to larger service
My health to better living
For my club, my community, my country, and my world."

What is the 4-H Emblem?

A green four-leaf clover with a white "H" on each clover leaf.

Why do young people like 4-H?

They have FUN with friends at meetings, social activities, tours, trips, camps, and fairs. They learn to do interesting things such as take care of animals and plants, redecorate their rooms, fix their bikes, take pictures, practice cooking, and collect rocks. And, they help others to learn more about their 4-H project, provide leadership to younger kids, and learn about themselves.

How do you join?

Call your County Extension Office or a local 4-H leader (if you know one). In Tippecanoe County call 474- 0793.

What are 4-H projects?

A 4-H project is a series of learning experiences for 4-H members. More than 60 projects are available from the from the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University. Most projects have manuals to assist the 4-H'er with his or her project. The five projects with the highest enrollment are arts and crafts, foods, swine, photography, and clothing.

What is a 4-H project manual?

A project manual contains help and direction needed to complete the project. Some projects have a manual for each division. Others have one manual which the member uses throughout his or her 4-H career. A manual may range from two pages to 50 pages and may cost from 50 cents to $5.

What does a 4-H project cost?

It varies. A member enrolled in crafts might use supplies from around the home to practice the skills he or she is learning and have no additional expense. A member who buys and keeps a saddle might invest hundreds of dollars. Members should consider cost as they select a project. It should be realistic to the family situation.

Are 4-H members expected to do their own project work?

Yes--with help. 4-H is a "learn by doing" program. Leaders, junior leaders, and parents may tell or show a member how, but members are expected to learn how to do things themselves. One of the principles of 4-H is that allowing a youth learn to do builds self worth.

What is an exhibit?

An exhibit is an object or display designed to help a young person show what she or he has accomplished. Ideally it motivates a youth to learn and to have fun in a 4-H project. An exhibit is not an end in itself, nor does it measure all the learning that takes place from completing a project.

What do 4-H clubs do at meetings?

4-H clubs usually do five general kinds of things: project work, conduct business meetings, recreation or social activities, community service work, and special interest programs.

Do they do all of those things at one meeting?

Sometimes they have a little business meeting, work on their projects for awhile, then have recreation. Sometimes the whole meeting is devoted to one thing. Everyone brings his or her dog and practices obedience training or they elect officers and plan the club program or they have a pizza-making party or tour a local factory.

Who plans the program for the club?

Members of the club. If the club is small, this might be done at a meeting of the whole group. If the club is large, ideas come from everybody, and a committee puts together a program.

When do clubs meet and how long do meetings last?

This depends on the group. Many clubs meet for an hour or two after school, in the evening or on Saturday. The most important thing is to have a regular time to get together, one that members and their families can remember.

As a 4-H parent, how can I help my child?

Counsel with your son or daughter in the selection of 4-H projects that are interesting and can be conveniently financed. Show your interest and enthusiasm after the projects have been selected. Read over the project manual with your child and help him or her understand what to do, when to do it, and how to carry out different phases of the project. Assist your son or daughter with project work, but don't do the job for him or her. Your job is to teach, not to govern; to guide, not to control. Learn to give increased freedom as your child develops.

 Tippecanoe County Cooperative Extension Service