What is 4-H?

4-H is about growing and learning, but it's also about having fun!

Who: Youth ages 7-18 years of age from across the county & adults of allages working together.

What: Join a club that meets monthly to build life skills through hands-on
learning experiences. These may include practicing parliamentary procedures
during club meetings, giving a talk, making a project or carrying out
community service projects.

How: 4-H uses research-based project information to empower youth to do
things they've never done before in a creative and confident way. 4-H
doesn't have a membership fee, although some projects have costs
associated with them. Best of all, you can choose your level of participation -
as much or as little as you have time for.

When: 4-H organizes for the new year each October 1. Youth may join
until December 1, but have until May 1 to finalize their project enrollment.
(Some livestock projects have earlier enrollment deadlines. Visit with the
Extension Office for specific dates.)

4-H teaches youth to analyze information, make decisions, communicate
effectively, prepare for careers, serve their communities and plan for healthy
lifestyles - all while they're having fun. So, go ahead, get involved in 4-H
and have some fun!

4-H Pledge

I Pledge my Head to Clearer Thinking
My Heart to Greater Loyalty
My Hands to Larger Service
Any My Health to Better Living
For My Club, My Community, My Country & My World

4-H Motto

"To Make the Best Better"

4-H Emblem

The official clover is kelly green with white H's with the stem. The 4-H colors
are the same green and white. The white symbolizes purity. The green
represents nature's most common color and is emblematic of youth, life and
growth.

"Learning by Doing"

This phrase sums up the 4-H educational philosophy. It exemplifies the
experiential nature of the 4-H learning experiences. Young people learn best
when they are actively involved in their learning. The intent is to do, reflect,
and apply the learning to other places in their lives.

Kansas 4-H Mission

With unique strategies and opportunities, Kansas 4-H Youth Development
engages youth in reaching their full potential through partnerships with
caring adults.

Kansas 4-H Vision

A world where youth and adults advance positive life skills by learning,
growing, and working together.

Kansas 4-H Life Skills

Life skills are the skills young people need to grow into competent and caring
adults. These life skills are developed through work in a wide variety of
project areas. In Kansas 4-H we emphasize the development of these life
skills:

• A positive self-concept...Youth develop a positive self concept by
  seeking their fullest unique potential as a person.
• An inquiring mind...Youth develop an inquiring mind when he/she
  knows how to obtain information when it is needed and expects to
  live in a changing world
• A concern for the community...Youth develop a concern for the
  community by becoming aware of his/her social responsibility, and is
  willing to be involved in improving the community, both local and global.
• Healthy interpersonal relationships...Youth learn healthy
  interpersonal relationships when they get along with others, work and
  interact with people of all ages.
• Sound decision making...Youth learn to make sound decisions when
  he/she makes choices and can apply what is known in a productive way.