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Barb.b
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| Posted: Aug 23 2013 at 8:22am | IP Logged
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Move this if it belongs somewhere else!
I have NO idea about 4H. Just that my youngest may like it. I have looked on the web for our county (Denton Texas) and find nothing about a local club? Just how to join - but I don't want to do that if I don't think there is actually a group to join?
So, how on earth do you find a 4H club? I find googling not very effective!
Barb
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SallyT
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| Posted: Aug 23 2013 at 9:53am | IP Logged
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Is the link to your county extension page? That's where I've found 4-H info, although like you, I haven't found what's there to be that informative. They have these clubs listed, but no info about what they actually do.
If you do Facebook, your county extension likely has a page, and that might be a place to query whoever's out there for more info. I've been meaning to do that myself. Our Scout troop just folded, and I am looking for something for my 11-year-old to do . . .
That's as much as I know, but I feel your pain. I know we have clubs, but so far it's been hard to get any kind of information about them.
Sally
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Aagot
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| Posted: Aug 23 2013 at 11:03am | IP Logged
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I would call you extension office. Here is some info.
Texas 4-H and Youth Development Office
4180 Highway 6
College Station, TX 77845
Phone: 979-845-1211
Fax: 979-845-6495
There is also a website:4h On the right hand side of this link there are a list of project categories. If you open one of those categories, you will find a list of all the projects available. Be aware, some of them are most likely more organized than others. For example, if he chooses fishing, he may be learning more on his own. If he chooses shotgun, there will be a very organized program of practices and safety expectations.
Every state runs 4h differently but I can tell you in general how it works. There are likely many clubs in your county. Some may focus on one project more than the other projects. For example some clubs have members who are really into the horse project. That doesn't usually mean that you cannot join that club and do something else it just means that the focus will be on all things horse.
Most likely it doesn't mater which particular club you join as most of the projects are centralized. For example you may join XYZ club and have a monthly meeting where you discuss how to fill out record books, do demonstrations and run fundraisers.
Then if your son is interested in rocketry, .22 rifle, dogs and cake decorating he will go to practices/meetings for each of those projects. All the while he will be keeping a record book for each of those projects (what meetings were attended, what did they do, what scores did he get at .22 practice, his cake fell and he had to make a new one, etc). All of this leads up to the county fair.
For fair he may make a poster showing all shooting positions for .22 and safety equipment. He may enter his homemade rocket and decorated cake. Usually before the actual fair starts he will have competed in his county shoot for .22 and in obedience, showmanship, rally, and/or agility with his dog. Lets say his cake wins grand champion at the county fair. He will then get to compete at the State Fair.
From experience may I recommend a new 4-Her not take on more than one or max. two projects the first year 
Hope that helps
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Aug 23 2013 at 12:23pm | IP Logged
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Overwhelming! I guess I thought it was a bit different!
Thanks,
Barb
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Aagot
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| Posted: Aug 23 2013 at 12:28pm | IP Logged
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Yes, it looks overwhelming but once you get going, it is fun.
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MichelleW
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| Posted: Aug 23 2013 at 2:38pm | IP Logged
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I never did 4H as a child and it took me 3 years to find a group. It really felt like it was an elusive secret society for a long time. Once we found a group and joined we found the people to be wonderful, but getting started sure required perseverance!
Our club is a sheep and goat club (everyone is required to have either a goat or a sheep), but we also do small animals, poultry and static. The kids have an organizational meeting in October where they elect officers and map out their meetings for the year. The topics are based on what the kids decide they want to learn or teach. Some of our topics have been: shearing sheep, parasites and how to get rid of them, clipping goat hooves, knitting, how to show a chicken, how to show a rabbit or cavy, housing for rabbits, planting, weeding and harvesting our community garden (all food goes to the food bank). We don't meet monthly, but maybe every other month (until the month before Fair, then we meet weekly). We are getting more organized!
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Michelle
Mom to 3 (dd 14, ds 15, and ds 16)
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Aug 23 2013 at 7:46pm | IP Logged
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We have been involved in 4H for 6 years and love it. The 2 clubs we belong to, are very family oriented. I love we can all go to meetings and events. It can be very overwhelming the first few years. Our 4H has a lot of addtitional learning experiences in addition to your project and fair prep through your club. My kids have done the public speaking contest, poster contests, photography contest, food drive, etc.
I suggest you interview club advisors and get a feel for the clubs to make sure it will work for your family. Clubs can earn "honor" statuses based on how many events they attend, community service, fund raising, etc. This info can be a good indication as to how active the club is, and how active the families involved are.
Usually, as previous people have mentioned, they can be found through your extension offices they might not be listed on the web pages as it could be difficult to maintain and some advisors might not like their personal info out there.. Also, keep your eyes open around the beginning of the year, you might see "signs" of it ramping up and clubs are looking for new members as you need to be signed into a club by 4/1, at least here that is the rule. Our clubs find a place of business that will let us decorate a window or place a display in their window to advertise 4H and what our clubs do. It is fun!
Also, FYI we are not in 4H in our county of residence, so if you can find a club, that you are willing to drive to, you can get cross county permission if you fill out the forms.
Good luck, I hope you find something that works for you. My kids have really been enjoying their experiences.
Hope that helps
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Anne, married to dh 16 years!, ds,(97), Little One (02), and dd (02).
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: 4H?
