Are You Wondering
How to Join 4-H?
First, you must be between the ages of 9 and 19 for most programs, but you can be 6 to 8
years of age to join a local Cloverbud group. You'll probably want to join an existing
club in your area, or you can always get together with some other families and from
your own club. Just contact our office and ask about joining 4-H. 4-H is a part of
the Extension Service in every state.
What kinds of things can you do in 4-H?
Lots of things... in fact, you're only limited by your imagination. The project selection
guide is available in our office or on- line at http://extn.msu.montana.edu/. The project selection guide describes a whole lot of programs offered in Montana
4-H. But our county also offers some other projects - just ask! To participate in
4-H, you have to enroll in at least one project or you can take several. Just be sure
you can complete each project you enroll in. In each project, you'll develop skills
that will help you become more competent at doing things on your own. But you'll also
learn valuable "life skills" - those things that you'll come to rely on no matter
what you do in life. Montana 4-H projects are designed to help you -
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get along with other people
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make wise decisions and take responsibility for your choices
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foster a positive sense of self
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develop a sense of curiosity
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acquire a concern for your community - local and global
Together, the practical skills you learn in each project, along with the life skills
you'll develop along the way, will equip you to succeed throughout your life. 4-H
is a great way to develop skills and hobbies that you'll enjoy for many years. Age
Guidelines for Montana 4-H Any youth who turns 6 years of age during the 4-H program
year (October 1 through September 30) may join a 4-H Cloverbud group. Cloverbuds is
the ONLY project in which youth ages 6-8 years can enroll. When youth turn 9 during
the 4-H year, they may join a regular 4-H club as a "full-fledged" member who can
enroll in several different projects. Given the differing maturity and ability of
kids this age, a family may choose to have their child continue in a Cloverbud group
even though s/he will turn 9 during the coming year. If a youth turns 19 years of
age prior to the beginning of the program year (October 1), s/he is not eligible to
re-enroll in 4-H unless s/he is still in high school.
The programs of the MSU Extension Service are available to all people regardless of
race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs,
sexual orientation, and marital or family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative
extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914,
in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cody Stone, Executive Director
of Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717.
