Who is 4-H for?
4-H welcomes all boys and girls, no matter where they live. Youth can join 4-H when they are in kindergarten and continue to one year past high school. Younger kids, kindergarten through second grade, are part of the Cloverbud program. Cloverbud activities promote creativity and discovery without emphasis on competition. Many activities and events are planned so the entire family can participate.
Why join 4-H?
Exciting things are happening in 4-H today. 4-H lets kids try new skills and express themselves through fun hands-on activities. Working on projects helps connect kids with their friends, families, communities, and the world. 4-H helps kids gain confidence and develop life skills that will help them be successful. 4-H is inclusive and adaptive to your families unique needs.
What is 4-H?
- 4-H offers opportunities to experience hands-on learning in a variety of project areas! Some of Waseca County’s most popular project areas are Creative Arts, Food and Nutrition, Shooting Sports and Wildlife, and Photography. You do not have to have an animal to participate in 4-H! For information on what types of 4-H projects you can explore check out the Waseca County 4-H Premium Book that is used each summer to register to exhibit at the County Fair.
- Youth can join a 4-H club in their community. Clubs usually meet monthly for fun, hands-on learning, group activities, and community service. With your club, you can participate in a variety of county-wide 4-H events. Due to COVID-19 clubs will still be active- it just may look a little different this year.
- There are also special interest clubs (for example, horse, clubs who meet during the day for homeschool families) and school based Youth Teaching Youth programs.
- 4-H’ers participate in their communities through community service activities and volunteering.
- Teens grades 6 and older have leadership opportunities within their club and/or the county.
- 4-H is family-focused! Parents/guardians and the entire family are encouraged to participate.
- Adults are needed as volunteers and active volunteers tell us they have learned as much as their children! In addition, many good friendships are made through their involvement in 4-H.
Ready to learn about our 4-H Clubs?
Waseca County has a number of community clubs that meet all over the county. When you start 4-H, your family will select a club to join or also have the option of starting a brand new club with just three families. Or, families can join as an “independent member” which means you are not attached to a particular club, but can access all other 4-H programs.
In addition, there are the many opportunities on the county and state levels as well that are available. 4-H is family oriented as events and programs are designed for the entire family to be involved. Adults are expected to be a large part of the 4-H experience as well as volunteers. Clubs may be gathering in-person, virtually or a combination of both.
Ready to explore 4-H more?
While you are here at the Waseca County 4-H Website, our local hub of information, be sure to please check our registration information for events, local project learning offerings and more for our county.
Check back frequently to get info on the latest events and to view the interactive calendar of events!
In addition, the following website’s will help you learn more specifics about our program and explore the options available to you and your family:
Join Minnesota 4-H Information online
Here you will find general information on 4-H, information and education about all project areas that MN 4-H supports with resources and learning opportunities, and more! Go here to learn about the over 100 project areas available in 4-H and what supporting programs exist. There are a number of excellent virtual programs that have been developed statewide that all 4-H'ers can access. Check out the MN 4-H at Home section of the website for these new and innovative programs!
View these great videos to learn more about Minnesota 4-H:
- What is Minnesota 4-H?
- What is a Minnesota 4-H club?
- What is a Minnesota 4-H project?
- What is a Minnesota 4-H Cloverbud?
- How to enroll as new family in Minnesota 4-H
Waseca County 4-H is on Facebook
Check here for updates on 4-H events, pictures and more. Or, use this to share 4-H with others that may be interested in learning more about current 4-H happenings. “Like” us today!
Ready to join? Read this article for enrollment steps.
Contact
Amy Nelson, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development, Waseca County
dobbe007@umn.edu