Connecting Kids to Cornell
4-Hers make the best better!
What is 4-H?
4-H is in every community across America—all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military installations worldwide, with 55% of 4-H members living in cities, large towns, and their suburbs and 45% living in small towns and farms. In New York State, 4-H is the youth development program of Cornell Cooperative Extension, connecting kids to Cornell.
Young people in the 4-H community learn leadership, citizenship, and a vast array of life skills that benefit them for the rest of their lives. Through school-based, afterschool and camp settings and community clubs, 4-H members pledge themselves to build a better community, country, and world.
Studies show that 4-H members do better in school, are more motivated to help others, feel safe to try new things, achieve a sense of self-esteem, and develop lasting friendships. Why is this? 4-H programs, developed in connection with Cornell University, are purposely designed and applied to ensure that all young people in 4-H have opportunities to experience the essential elements of 4‑H: supervised independence, a sense of belonging with a positive group, a spirit of generosity towards others, and a wide variety of opportunities to master life challenges.
What do 4-Hers do?
4-H is rich with learning experiences where young people partner with caring adults and volunteers in a fellowship unlike any other program available to youth today. Young people in 4-H “learn by doing” with more than a thousand hands-on projects as varied as rocketry, GPS mapping, public speaking, nutrition, photography, and community service.
4-Hers may attend club meetings, be involved in public speaking, community service, or serve as club officers. They participate in county events like teen action groups or fair. Opportunities are also available on the regional, state, and national level.
Clubs meet in leaders’ or members’ homes, schools, churches, community centers, or other places convenient for participants. Clubs meet an average of once a month, as arranged by members and leaders. Some clubs meet as often as once a week.
Who can be a 4-Her?
Young people ages 5 to 19 are invited to join. 4‑H is open to everyone regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or place of residence.
What can parents do?
4-H is something parents do with their children. Many parents are 4-H leaders. Some bring members to events and meetings, provide refreshment for activities, or help leaders in many other ways. Parents are encouraged to be as involved as they can be, from leading a club to helping their children with 4-H work at home to joining club activities.
How do I start a club?
A 4-H club is a group of at least 5 young people and at least one adult volunteer leader. Club sizes vary depending on the age of members and the activities involved. Clubs can be organized by anyone, including community members, homeschool or afterschool groups.
Who are 4-H Leaders?
A 4-H leader is an adult who volunteers to work with a group of 4‑H members. Adults can volunteers in many different ways, involving sharing your talents for hours, days, weeks, or throughout the whole year.
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
Related Resources
I Pledge
my Head to clearer thinking
my Heart to greater loyalty
my Hands to larger service
my Health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country and my world.