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 form your own club. Just contact your local MSU Extension office. If you don’t know how to find your local Extension office, look it up in the blue pages of the phone book under “County Government”. The Extension even has a lot of other programs for adults. There are many things can you do in 4-H. You can ask the extension office for a project selection guide, which describes a whole lot of programs offered in Montana 4-H.
To participate in 4-H, you have to enroll in at least one project or you can take several. In each project, you’ll develop skills that will help you become more competent at doing things on your own and you’ll also learn valuable “life skills”. Montana 4-H projects are designed to help you-
Get along with other people
Make wise decisions and take responsibility for your choices
Foster a positive sense of self
Develop a sense of curiosity
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.
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 he/she 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), he/she is not eligible to re-enroll in 4-H unless he/she is still in high school.
For more local information contact the Extension Office at 265-5481 ext. 233.