Membership & Clubs
- 4-H is centered around the home and family. The whole family can get involved!
- 4-H clubs meet in homes, churches, libraries, or schools in your community.
- 4-H does not cost anything to join and has no uniform requirement.
- 4-H volunteers are parents and friends who work with members and people in the community.
- 4-H members develop practical skills that can be used for the rest of their life.
- 4-H members feel a sense of accomplishment and develop self-confidence through experiential activities.
- 4-H is the largest voluntary co-educational youth program in the world.
- 4-H offers opportunities to make friends and memories in a learning and fun atmosphere!
Facts about 4-H Membership
4-H is a dynamic, ever changing youth development program. 4-H membership is open to all boys and girls, ages 5 to 19 years of age, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or political beliefs.
4-H members live in towns, cities, suburbs, and on farms in every county of Virginia. Through 4-H over 181,000 Virginia youth and 20,000 adult and teen volunteers join in local, county, state, national, and international educational opportunities.
The 4-H year runs from October 1st to September 30th. The highest age reached during the 4-H year is your 4-H age for the entire year.
- Cloverbuds are ages 5 through 8
- Junior members are ages 9, 10, and 11
- Intermediates are ages 12 and 13
- Seniors are 14 through 18 years of age
Eligibility for 4-H membership terminates on December 31st of the year the member has his/her 19th birthday.
Membership is voluntary and free of charge.
Facts about 4-H Clubs
Community Clubs
4-H members may be "lonestar" members and simply function on their own. It is preferable, however, that they join or start a 4-H club. A 4-H'er may belong to only one 4-H community club. A community club typically has 10 to 15 members, 2 or 3 adult leaders and meets in someone's home, a church, or community center. Membership in a community club does not exclude one from membership in “special interest" clubs or the 4-H "Honor Club". Also, members in a given club are in no way restricted from meeting with other clubs for activities. One must, however, relinquish current club membership before joining another club.
County Council
The 4-H County Council is composed of the officers of all the community clubs. If you hold an office in your club you are automatically a member of the 4-H County Council. You may vote and hold office. Non-Council members may attend Council functions but may not vote or hold office. The County Council's function is to provide leadership training, specifically training on parliamentary procedure and officer duties.
4-H Project Books
Project topics available to 4-H'ers include gardening, clothing, horse care, dog care, electricity, photography, foods, wood working, wildlife, and others. Most project books are provided free of charge; other materials needed must be supplied by the 4-H'er. All completed project books should be turned in to your 4-H Leader or the Extension Office on October 30th of each year. Projects are judged on the following criteria: goals, accomplishments, completeness, accuracy, extent of involvement, and neatness.
Recognition of Achievement
Outstanding 4-H'ers and Clubs
The "4-H Member Achievement Record" is used to determine the outstanding 4-H'ers in Henrico. All Juniors, Intermediates, and Seniors scoring over 300 points will receive certificates recognizing them as outstanding 4-H'ers for the year. The highest scoring Junior, Intermediate and Senior 4-H'er will each be named THE OUTSTANDING 4-H'ERS for the year and awarded a savings bond.
Clubs scoring over 2500 points will be recognized as Outstanding Clubs. Outstanding Clubs receive a Silver Award for more than 3000 points; Gold Award for more than 3500. Club leaders are provided with club scoring criteria.
4-H Honor Club
Honor Club membership is a means of recognizing outstanding accomplishments over a period of years. It is the highest honor available on the County level. To be eligible for membership you must meet the following requirements:
- Have completed 3 years of 4-H work.
- Be a senior 4-H member.
- Have held at least one club office.
- Have shown outstanding work and leadership ability.
The "4-H Member Achievement Record" will be used for determining eligibility.
Virginia 4-H All Stars
All Stars are the top 4-H'ers in the State. Being tapped into the All Stars is the highest honor available to Virginia 4-H'ers. To be nominated for membership in the Virginia Chapter of 4-H All Stars a 4-H'er must:
- Have completed three (3) years of 4-H work.
- Be at least 15 years of age.
- Be an active 4-H member.
- Have shown leadership and ability to work with others.
- Have high moral standards.
- Have demonstrated outstanding achievement in both project and service activities. Have genuine interest in youth development.
All Star applications can be found at: http://www.4-h.ext.vt.edu/groups/allstars/4h_allstars.html
