4-H Youth

What is 4-H?

4-H is a learn-by-doing educational program that helps youth grow and develop into positive citizens. Lifelong learning is the key to 4-H and is done through 4-H projects, teamwork, responsibility, problem solving, leadership development, community involvement, public speaking, record keeping, decision making and group activities.

4-H is completely hands on which makes learning more fun and interesting, but also gives you chances at College Scholarships, showing your animal at Fair, responsibility as a leader and complete control of your 4-H involvement.

4-H is not only learning, it’s FUN !

4-H also uses local organizations, businesses and resource people to teach you not only about your field of interest but lets you customize your interest into a way you have never seen.

How Does 4-H Work?

4-H is a volunteer based organization. The 4-H Extension Agent and 4-H Program Assistant supervise the volunteers and the program.

4-H is the youth program of the Extension Service, which is a cooperative effort of Curry County, Oregon State University and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Who Can Join 4-H?

Membership in the Curry County 4-H program is open to all youth in grades K-12. Youth in grades K-3 may participate in the 4-H Adventures program. This non-competitive, group-oriented program allows youth to explore many topics such as natural resources, the community, foods, science, art and more.

Youth in grades 4-12 may join 4-H project or community clubs, which are led by volunteer leaders.

There are more than 50 projects available in the following curriculum areas:

School classrooms, short-term programs, and special events are also ways youth can get involved in 4-H.

How to Join 4-H !

Beginning with the 2009-2010 program year, we have had to add an enrollment fee. This is an Oregon 4-H Program state fee which is being assessed for every county to combat the declining levels of state funding to all public services programs such as 4-H in Oregon. The annual enrollment fee is $15.00 per member if paid before January 25^th, 2010! The fee will be $20 for enrollment collected after that date. The fee is only assessed for the first (2) family members who join 4-H. Although this is required, no individual will be refused membership because of their inability to pay this fee. Contact the Extension Office if need assistance.

How to Become a 4-H Leader

To get the process going or just to inquire, please call or stop by the Curry County Extension Office, 29390 Ellensburg, Gold Beach, OR 97444. Our phone number is 1-800-356-3986 or 541-247-6672. You can also email Deborah Cyparski or Sheri Legat.

There are three things you need to do to become a leader:

Complete a Volunteer Leader Application Form which includes 3 references
Attend a 4-H Leaders Training and Orientation Meeting
Complete an Enrollment Form

4-H Volunteering is more than helping kids. It’s the fact that you are helping your community by enriching children’s minds and letting them be "themselves". When a person volunteers, they don’t do it for money, but for a better purpose. 4-H has a great purpose! The mission of 4-H is to help young people become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. Come help us out!