Being a member of a 4-H club gives children year-round involvement, and without question, provides them with the most well rounded 4-H experience. As a club member, children develop life skills including leadership skills, communication skills, social skills and project skills as they participate in monthly club meetings, community service projects, citizenship activities, and club outings. There are three types of clubs available in Salt Lake County 4-H:
4-H Chartered Club – The chartered club consists of 5 or more members from 3 or more families that meet at least six times a year, and youth engage in active leadership roles.
Family 4-H Club – The family club consists of less than 5 members or from less than 3 families that meet at least six times a year, and youth engage in active leadership roles.
Salt Lake County 4-H Community Club – The community club is an open club with unlimited number of members, led by the 4-H office staff and community volunteers, meets at least monthly in a community facility. For more information about locations, dates, times, and projects, click here. 4-H Community Clubs do not run throughout the summer. Clubs will start again in September 2010.
Volunteer Led: 4-H Clubs are organized in communities throughout Salt Lake County. Clubs are led by parents and community volunteers who have been screened and trained by Extension personnel. If interested in becoming a leader, click here.
4-H Club Fees: Annual membership fee is $1 for 4-H club membership or $2 for 4-H horse or ATV club membership to provide accidental insurance during 4-H activities and events. Some clubs may ask each member to contribute money toward the cost of project supplies and/or providing some of the project supplies. As a member, you are required to pay for the expenses associated with the projects you select. These expenses range widely depending on the project.
Grades: The club experience tends to be better if the members are close in age. Generally, clubs are organized for members in three different grade divisions: Junior Division, grades 3-5; Intermediate Division, grades 6-8; and Senior Division, 9-12 grades. This, of course, can vary from club to club, depending on needs. Grades K-2 can be involved in 4-H as Cloverbuds, which is meant to be an introduction to the 4-H program.
Meetings: Clubs generally meet at least once a month and as often as weekly. A typical club meeting includes opening pledges, a short business meeting led by club officers to allow members to discuss future activities, a hands-on learning activity, and social time, including some recreation and refreshments. Meetings usually last 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, depending of the members' ages.
Projects: Club members, parents, and leaders select the projects they will explore during the year. One club might learn about bats and make a bat box; another club might make electric lamps and learn about circuits; still another might learn how to force narcissus bulbs and make flowerpots to donate to an area assisted living home. For club resources or a list of curriculum categories and project areas, click here.
