4-H Youth Development

• Youth Enrollment

  Being a 4-Her can be one of the most rewarding activities in childhood. With interests varying from livestock animals, dancing, to computer coding, 4-H has a project for you!

  4-H Online

  This system is used to keep track of all youth and volunteers that are involved with the 4-H program. It is mandatory that all youth are entered into the system, not just for reporting purposes, but it is a way to keep track of information for each individual. If a child has an allergy or a special need, 4-H Online is the place to report it.

  The fee is $20 per member for youth ages 8-18 (as of September 1 of the current 4-H year). Youth ages 5-7 (Cloverbuds) and adults are not required to pay the fee.

• Volunteers

  4-H relies on dedicated volunteers to promote its mission to help youth gain the knowledge and life skills they need to be productive, responsible citizens. Your time as a volunteer will provide youth the safe environment they need to pursue whatever interests, causes, and leadership roles that are most important to them.

  How to Become a 4-H Volunteer

  The steps to become a 4-H volunteer aren't too complicated.

  First, you want to reach out to Shaina Spann, 4-H Youth Development Agent, and schedule a time to go over what the current volunteer opportunities are. Next, you will need to go to https://v2.4honline.com, create a family profile, and then create a personal profile. Once in 4-H Online, you will be prompted to take a Youth Protection Training, this is required annually when enrolling for the 4-H year. From there, the enrollment will be sent to the 4-H office, once the potential volunteer has been fingerprinted and the background check comes back approved, the 4-H Online enrollment will be approved by the Florida 4-H Office. 

   

  All Florida 4-H Volunteers are FBI Level 2 background checked to ensure the safety of all 4-H youth.

   

  Resources & Forms

  Volunteer Manual
  Detailed information for volunteers.

  4-H Check Request Form
  To purchase any items for a club meeting or event, a check request form must be submitted.

  4-H Fundraiser Form
  If your club is having a fund raiser, this form is for accountability with all money.

• Teachers & 4H In School

  Among the many things that 4-H does, one is working with teachers. Whether you are a traditional school teacher or a parent who is a teacher to their children in a home school setting, there are 4-H opportunities for you! The following curriculum-based programs are taught in traditional or nontraditional schooling environments with instruction from both you and your local 4-H Agent. 

  4-H IN SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

  Register for a 4-H In School Opportunity HERE!

  • Embryology – Embryology is a 21-day in school program where youth observe the growth and embryonic development of baby chickens within eggs in an incubator.
  • I Can Be A Scientist - A curriculum developed for K-2 students. The purpose of the curriculum, entitled ‘I Can Be a Scientist’, is to demonstrate to young learners that anybody can be a scientist – including them! Through the completion of ten modules, students will learn about scientists from different backgrounds and scientific disciplines. Each module contains an introduction to a scientist, a literacy component, a hands-on inquiry-based activity, a take home activity, and additional resources.
  • Youth Understanding MyPlate (YUM) – YUM is a six-lesson curriculum designed to teach young children the basic messages of MyPlate through activities that reinforce the food guidelines to encourage them to make healthy choices. For pre-k /kindergarten and first/second grade. There is also an Exploration Edition for grades 6-8 (YUMEE). 
  • Florida Power & Light Public Speaking Contest – Created for grades 4-6, this program has students write speeches and compete at the class level, grade level, and then county level. The winner of the county competition receives a free trip to Camp Cherry Lake (over a $200 value). This program is designed for youth to increase their writing skills as well as public speaking skills. 
  • Florida Ag in the Classroom Grant – (FAITC) offers Teacher Grants and School Garden Mini Grants to Florida pre-k through 12th grade teachers and agri-science teachers who need funds to start or maintain a school garden, launch an embryology project to educate students about the life cycle of chickens, establish a classroom farm on paper to teach economics and more. 
  • 4-H Afterschool Program – The 4-H Afterschool Program is a nationwide initiative that increases the quality and availability of positive youth development during after-school hours. This program creates learning opportunities suitable for any after-school setting, delivers enriching hands-on curricula, and trains staff and volunteers to work more effectively with youth. 
• Projects & Clubs

  4-H members "learn by doing", so your project work may include competing in a contest, going on a field trip, giving a speech, or working with an animal. In addition to becoming an expert in your project area, a 4-H member will learn leadership and communication skills. There are several clubs in 4-H to choose from. Clubs generally meet once a month and have activities centered around the clubs' theme.

  In 4-H, there is a project for each persons' interest. The subjects range from livestock animals, rocketry, outdoors, woodworking, visual art, performance art, citizenship, and more! For a comprehensive list of projects available for youth, visit the 4-H Mall. 

  OUR CURRENT CLUBS ARE: 

  Cloverbuddies- This club focuses on exploring 4-H with our cloverbuds & younger 4-H members (5-10 years old). Meetings occur on the first Monday of the month at 4pm. 

  Livestock Club- This club focuses on livestock  animals. They meet the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6pm in the Ag Center Auditorium. 

   

• Camps & Activities

  There are a variety of opportunities for youth throughout the 4-H year. They can range from the Holiday Bake-Off, to showing an animal at the fair, or even go to residential Camp Cherry Lake (currently under construction) for an entire week during the summer. We also offer summer day camps at the Extension Office and its surrounding areas that showcase a myriad of subjects like cooking, insects, farm to table, and much more!

  Registration is through 4-H Online. Payment can be made by cash or check at the Baker County Extension Office.  

  Payment is required to secure registration. Payment plans available upon request.

• Follow Us & Get Notified

  UF/IFAS Extension Baker County 4-H Official Facebook

  https://www.facebook.com/bakerco4h 

  UF/IFAS Extension Baker County 4-H Livestock Participants Facebook Group

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2230998947168947 

  Cloverbuddies Club Facebook Group

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/137132547613277/ 

  Sign up for our Newsletter

  https://forms.gle/bVSG1uNSEqSQ28L88

  Sign up for Remind Text Notifications

  https://www.remind.com/join/bakerco4h