What is 4-H?

4-H is a national youth development program that has been in existence for more than 100 years. The primary goal of 4-H is to assist youth in developing life skills that help them live productive and satisfying lives.

4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential by working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

4-H believes in the power of young people. 4-H recognizes that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world. 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization —empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. with the skills to lead for a lifetime.

4-H focuses on youth learning by doing – this means projects are hands-on and youth driven. Youth focus on hobby exploration, leadership development, community service, expanding on life skills and more!

What is a 4-H Club?

A 4-H club is a group of youth with similar interests. Groups meet to learn a new skill in a 4-H project area and have fun. They can be neighbors, friends and family members. The club determines when, where and how often they will meet and what projects they will work on.

What do 4-H’ers do?

4-H Projects: Youth choose projects based on their interests and learn from caring adult volunteers and scientifically backed curriculum throughout the course of the year, creating a final project that can be exhibited at the county fair.

4-H Clubs: Youth will learn how to use parliamentary procedure, the value of committees in order to accomplish work and cooperative skills through social interactions with club members.

4-H Events, Camps, and Conferences: There are many camps, conferences and events that 4-H members may attend. These opportunities are located around the state and nationally.

Develop Life Skills: Each 4-H member completes community service to become more civically involved in their community. Demonstrations presented annually develop public speaking skills.

Why 4-H?

4-H provides an opportunity for young people to belong – to be a part of a group (club), to learn new things and do fun things together.

4-H enables youth to:

• Learn new skills, gain knowledge and develop positive attitudes.
• Develop and use their creative talents.
• Learn to make informed decisions and solve problems.
• Develop a feeling of self-worth, while respecting the rights and privileges of others.

Jefferson County 4-H Goals

• Youth, through 4-H involvement, develop their potential and are leaders in their communities.
  All youth have access and engage in programs and opportunities.
• Youth engage in high quality, diverse, and relevant learning opportunities.
• Youth are surrounded with competent, prepared staff and volunteers.
• The Jeffco 4-H system develops the capacity to effectively impact the lives of youth throughout the state.

The four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health

Our Motto: To Make the Best Better

Our Slogan: “Learn by Doing”

4-H Pledge:
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
my heart to greater loyalty,
my hands to larger service,
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

WHO
Youth ages 5-18. Kids ages 5-7, can participate in Cloverbuds – an introductory 4-H program. 

COMMITTMENT
Becoming a 4-H member means a year-round commitment. The best time to join is between October and April – the earlier the better! Enrollment for the program year begins on October 1st. Youth work on projects and learn valuable skills through June. In July, members can exhibit projects at the Jefferson County Fair. Exhibiting/competing at Fair is optional unless interested in competing at the Colorado State Fair.

ACTIVITIES
Members attend monthly club meetings, complete community service, work on projects, and participate in social and/or educational events hosted by clubs or the County Extension office.

BENEFITS
4-H is FUN! Members make new friends, experience new things, participate in leadership roles and learn hands-on skills through projects like livestock, cake decorating, shooting sports, and much more!

COST
Annual dues are $45 for ages 8-18*, and $15 for ages 5-7*. Members are responsible for project supply costs.

*All program ages are the age of youth by December 31st, 2024.

GET STARTED
Interested in joining 4-H? Enrollment has opened for the 2024/2025 program year!

Have you picked your project and club? Click the Enroll button below!

Have questions? Email our program assistant Christine at cjacquot@jeffco.us for help!

Important Enrollment Dates:

Volunteer with Jeffco 4-H 

Adult volunteers play an important role in the 4-H program by helping youth succeed and learn important life skills. 4-H staff provide our volunteers with all necessary materials, support and training. Learn more:

• Volunteer Opportunities
• 4-H Leader Enrollment

Become a 4-H Leader Today – Help make a difference in the lives of our young people!

Volunteers help make up the core of 4-H and are critical to the success of its youth. In Colorado there are more than 8,000 volunteers who give their time, skills and talents to help grow today’s youth. These volunteers serve in a number of capacities: some choose to help at summer camps, teach a workshop or lead a club, while others chaperone an event, lend their professional skills, develop lessons, or help at the county fair. As they provide hands-on guidance, worldly experience and mentorship, volunteers also offer young people another critical component – a healthy adult role model who helps them grow their confidence and explore their dreams for the future.

Benefits of Volunteering with 4-H:

In addition to growing and empowering youth, 4-H volunteers benefit from their involvement by:

• Building new friendships
• Forming connections with youth
• Improving your community and making a difference!
• Gaining leadership
• Building and developing new passions
• Creating positive change in youth and your community
• Enhancing and growing your own skills as you help young people build theirs
• Creating a lasting legacy
• Sharing your knowledge and expertise with new generations

Ways to Volunteer:

Whether you want a short-term volunteer experience or a long-term role, Jefferson County 4-H has an opportunity for you!

• One-time volunteering, such as helping out at a 4-H event or fair
• Leading the youngest 4-H’ers — Cloverbuds in grades K-2 (ages 5-7)
• Teaching a topic you know a lot about – once or regularly
• Chaperoning a field trip
• Leading a 4-H club

Who can be a Volunteer:

Anyone over 18 who cares about making a difference in the lives of young people! You don’t have to be a parent or an expert. You will need to complete a background check and attend basic trainings provided by Jefferson County Extension.

All 4-H Projects

4-H Projects are specific areas of interest for 4-H members and volunteers. Projects cover a wide variety of topics from animals, science, arts, and beyond. Explore the different project areas below and find more information on a project that you are interested in!

Each 4-H member ages 8-18 can enroll in one or more projects that are offered by their club and taught by their volunteer leader. A project involves hands-on learning in a new skill over a period of several weeks or months. Most projects have a 4-H manual for reference and E-record to keep a journal of what was learned.

All Cloverbuds ages 5-7 must ONLY enroll in the Cloverbud project, which explores several 4-H topics and is non-competitive.

See here for a list of 4-H clubs that operate in Jeffco!

Find More Info in Specific Project Areas Below:

Visit your project area page for important information & reminders throughout the year.