Columbia County
Greene County

About 4-H Youth Development

4-H is a worldwide youth development progrma available in every state and over eight countries. It is open to all youth aged 5-to-19, who want to have fun, learn new skills, and explore the world. In return, youth who participate in 4-H find a supportive environment and opportunities for hands-on or "experiential" learning about things that interest them. They also get what all young people need to succeed in life - the confidence, compassion and connections with caring adults to make contributions in their communities. The mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development is to unleash the power of youth and adults through diverse opportunities that meet community needs. 

Nationally 4-H is a community of 6 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. The 4-H community also includes 3,500 staff, 518.000 volunteers and 60 million alumni. 4-H'ers participate in fun, hands-on learning activities, supported by the latest research of land-grant universities, that are focused on three areas:

Mission Mandates

Science, Engineering and Technology

Healthy Lifestyles

Citizenship

Participation

All of the youth activities offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties fall under the 4-H umbrella, whether they happen after school, in the summer or as a workshop, club, camp or special event. Our programs are offered in a wide variety of formats and places because they are designed to fit the interests and needs of the divese young people who live in the rural and more urban communities of Columbia and Greene Counties. Over 5,300 young people aged 5-to-19 take part in 4-H activities in the two counties each year.

Generally, we have three program options for youth participation in 4-H activities. Once you see what 4-H has to offer, please contact us with any quesitons you may have. We look forward to speaking with you, and we hope to welcome you soon to a 4-H program in your community.

4-H Clubs - 4-H club members hold business meetings on a regular basis, elect officers, participate in public presentations, care for their community, learn through project work and exhibit learning at the local county fair. The 4-H clubs are led by screened community volunteers.

Community 4-H clubs consist of five or more youth, in grades 3-12, who are from at least three different families and usually live in close proximity to each other.

Cloverbud clubs also consist of five or more youth, in grades k-2, who are from at least three different families.

Special interest clubs consist of five or more youth, in grades 3-12, whoare from at least three different families and meet on a countywide basis. The 4-H members all have a common interest that is the club focus, such as market livestock or archery.

4-H Special Interest Groups - These are organized to study one project for a short period of time. These groups usually do not have business meetings or officers. They are led by a volunteer skilled in the subject the group is intersted in. The group generally ends when the project is complete. Some groups last for three weeks, others for three months, depending on what is being done. Some examples are dog obedience, safe sitter, and greenhouse growing.

School and Community Groups - Many teachers and youth group leaders include 4-H programs in their activities to enhance their existing curriculum. These programs are provided through staff and trained volunteer visits, kits and project materials.