4-H is the largest youth organization in the world, and it is no wonder when you have the opportunity to experience it for yourself.
4-H provides members the opportunity to grow and learn skills they will use their entire lives, while having fun and experiencing new things. Our program is project-centered, meaning that members pick projects based on their specific interests, suitable for their age, and focus on them throughout the year.
These projects can be anything members are interested in learning more about and do not require them to have any previous experience. When most people think of 4-H, they imagine raising animals, baking and cooking. These are some of our most popular and loved projects; but 4-H offers more than 70 projects for youths to choose from.
The first step in joining 4-H is picking a club. The 4-H club is where youths get most of their positive youth-adult partnerships and interactions. It is also where they will do the most learning and build the strongest relationships with their fellow club members and adult volunteers.
The 4-H club is one of the most important components of the 4-H experience. Each of our 15 different clubs in La Plata County have monthly meetings, complete at least three community service projects throughout the year and host team building events.
Our 4-H clubs are run by volunteers from within our community. These volunteers are required to complete an application process that includes interviews, reference checks and background checks before they are allowed to work with our members.
Our 4-H volunteers are some of the most caring people our community has to offer and dedicate hundreds of hours each year to making sure our 4-H youths are learning, growing and becoming the best versions of themselves. Our 4-H club leaders and adult volunteers are also available to assist youths in completing their 4-H projects.
To finish a project, members will be given steps to follow to see their project through to completion and, ultimately, the La Plata County Fair in August. If they are raising an animal, they are responsible for feeding it, caring for it and training it to show. If it is a general project, such as woodworking, they are required to learn different skill sets to create a final product that they will show at the fair.
Members will also complete a record book with each of their projects. This is where they will keep financial records and information about what they learned through lessons, activities and events; and it is a place to keep track of their goals. The record book is an important aspect because it is teaching our youths skills they will use throughout their lives.
If you are interested in joining 4-H or interested in learning how to become a volunteer, visit our website, laplatacounty4h.org.
Angela Fountain is the La Plata County 4-H youth development agent. Reach her at angela.fountain@co.laplata.co.us or 382-6460.
Angela Fountain
