Publication # C-411 |
REVISED -- 1-20-12 |
Effective
Date --10-1-99 |
Types of 4-H Clubs
What is a 4-H Club?
Because of
the key role clubs play in 4-H delivery, it is important to have a clear definition of what a 4-H club is. The
goals and structure of 4-H clubs vary according to the needs of the members they
serve. Some clubs focus on one project or one project at a time that the entire
membership experiences together at the club meeting (project club). Some
clubs offer a selection of projects delivered through project meetings held at
times outside the club (community club). Some clubs have a singular focus such as
community service clubs, or they target a specific audience such as tribal
reservation clubs or after school clubs or home school clubs. But there are
components and characteristics that are common to all 4-H clubs and these
commonalities provide the definition of a 4-H club. These are the minimum requirements
of all 4-H clubs to support a quality 4-H club experience. County 4-H Staff may
include additional requirements for 4-H clubs in their county.
4-H clubs are organized groups of boys and girls who elect
officers and are supported by adult volunteer leaders. The 4-H club conducts
meetings and activities throughout the year — usually holding six or more
official meetings annually and holds a membership of a minimum of six members. Club
meetings typically include the conducting of some business by the
officers, an educational program and a team building or recreational activity. The club
frequently includes opportunities for leadership and community service/service
learning. It may meet in any location and is authorized through the county and state to
use the 4-H name and emblem. Youth ages 5-19 (as of January 1 of the current
year) are eligible to be members.
In summary a 4-H Club:
- Is an organized group of a minimum of six youth.
- Has a planned meeting calendar that meets a minimum of six
times throughout all or most of the year.
- Is advised by two non-related volunteer leaders.
- Elects officers.
- May meet in any location.
- Includes opportunities to learn skills through a variety of
project experiences.
- Offers opportunities for leadership and citizenship/community
service.
Traditional Method (Community/Project Clubs)
Community Clubs – typically meet
in the evenings or on weekends and offer self-chosen multiple learning experiences and activities.
Community clubs are the multi-project club that meets regularly to conduct a business
meeting, address county 4-H requests and community issues, provide an
educational program presentation or activity and then offer a selection of
projects delivered through project meetings held at times outside the club meeting.
This format provides a wider choice of learning experiences for the 4-Her but
requires more leaders for the additional project meetings and is more
complicated to manage. Youth can enroll in one or more project areas in a multi-project
community club.
Project Clubs (not identified in
ES237 separately from community clubs, but is identified in Arkansas as separate) – typically meet in the
evenings or on weekends and offer one project area (from the list of projects on
the 4-H enrollment card) to work within through multiple learning
experiences and activities. These clubs meet regularly, conduct a business
meeting, address any county 4-H requests and community issues and then focus on one
project that the entire membership experiences together are referred to as
project clubs. These clubs are less complicated in structure and thus easier to
start. In a single-project community club, all the members are enrolled in
the same project but may be active in different levels based on skill or
knowledge. In all clubs, members are encouraged to do a community service/service learning
project during the 4-H year. All project clubs require at least two
designated non-related adult club leaders. Project clubs are not required to elect
officers, but are strongly encouraged to do so. Project clubs can be an extension of a
community club or the club can stand on it own.
After-School Clubs (4-H Afterschool Clubs)
4-H Afterschool clubs are organized within childcare settings.
They have officers and planned activities. 4-H has the resources to provide
after-school opportunities. Providing experiences for young people that
address healthy development is the goal of 4-H. 4- Afterschool is designed to
combine the resources of 4-H and the Cooperative Extension System with
community/school-based organizations that provide out-of-school time programs that
address community needs. The 4-H club operates within the structure of
the community/school-based organization that sponsors the
out-of-school time program.
4-H Afterschool clubs are organized groups of youth led by adult
volunteer/staff. Each club participants in community service and project
activities. Club meetings include conducting business by officers, educational programs,
and group building or recreational activities, and may vary by site. All
4-H activities focus upon positive youth development.
Partner Club (Military 4-H Clubs)
Military 4-H Clubs – are
organized by the Armed Forces, often on military installations, and principally for military dependents.
Military 4-H Clubs provide a "slice of home" for Military youth
wherever they live. Because Military kids move frequently, the selected 4-H projects
of photography, technology, fine arts, and citizenship provide consistency for
their 4-H experiences.
When Military youngsters participate in these selected projects,
or any other 4-H projects through their Military 4-H Club, they are learning and
practicing life skills that will guide them throughout their lives.
A strong partnership between installation and local 4-H staff is
essential to the success of Military 4-H Clubs. One of the roles of the 4-H agent
is to make sure that 4-H on the installation reflects 4-H in the community,
helping ensure that all options available to local 4-H members are also available to
Military 4-H members. The fact that Military families are on the move, often
to foreign locations, does not prevent them from being involved in the
full-range of 4-H opportunities.
Through the schools (In-School Clubs)
In-School Clubs – meet during
school hours, but have officers and planned activities beyond school enrichment. These clubs operate much the
same as community clubs, but a teacher may serve in the role of club
leader. In-School Clubs provide the opportunity: to reach more of your county’s
potential audience (youth 9-19), to build a relationship with the county school
system, and demonstrate how 4-H can add to the current academic learning.
School Enrichment
A School Enrichment project is a cooperative effort between a
school and Arkansas Cooperative Extension. This may be a public,
private, or home school. Members participate in an educational
program planned and coordinated by Extension staff in cooperation
with school officials to supplement and compliment the school
curriculum. The school enrichment project is taught by a teacher or
volunteer and consists of at least six learning experiences. School
enrichment can build a relationship between the school system and
Extension that will lead to an in-school 4-H club.
-
4-H Youth Group Enrollment Form,
FY4-H-603, or similar documentation must be kept on
file in the county Extension Office for these programs.
- Examples of programs such as Talking
with TJ, Embryology, On My Own at Home, Wagon Masters, Keeping
the Earth in 4-H, and High School Financial Planning should be
included.
- These students should understand that
they have participated in an Extension/4-H program.
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