Enrollment for 4-H and What Is It?

4-H season is just around the corner and you may be wondering, is this an organization that would fit my child?

4-H is a volunteer-based, informal educational program of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. It focuses on "learning by doing" and reaches boys and girls through small groups called clubs. It is the largest youth organization in the Nation including nearly 2,000 members in Hamilton County.

4-H is for all young people, regardless of where they live, what interests them, or their background. Over half of the 4-H members in Hamilton County live in urban areas. There is something for everyone in 4-H.   For boys and girls who are in 3rd through 12th grades as of our March 1st enrollment deadline. However, you may enroll in 4-H anytime between November 1st and March 1st.

Mini 4-H is for boys and girls who are in 1st & 2nd grades as of our March 1st enrollment deadline. However, you may enroll in Mini 4-H anytime between October 1st and March 1st.

According to past 4-H'ers, they like 4-H most of all for the FRIENDS they meet, the FUN they have, and the SKILLS they learn. They have fun with friends at meetings, social activities, community service activities, tours, trips, camps, and fairs. They learn to do interesting things such as take pictures, practice cooking, decorate cakes, build model rockets, take care of plants and animals, wrap gifts, create a scrapbook, shoot a bow and arrow, or drive a lawn tractor through an obstacle course. And they develop leadership skills by helping others learn about their projects.

The easiest way is to enroll online. You may also obtain a three-part Hamilton County 4-H Enrollment Form by stopping by the Extension Office in Hamilton County located at 2003 Pleasant Street in Noblesville or by calling us at 317-776-0854. Once you've filled out the form, simply turn it in to the Extension Office, pay the fee, and you are enrolled! (Please note: Forms must be original - no faxed or emailed forms accepted. Forms can be mailed via U.S. Mail.) The enrollment deadline is March 1st of the current year. You must re-enroll every year.

There is a $25 materials fee to join 4-H (maximum $75.00 per family). There may be a minimal fee for club dues which support local club activities. Additional costs depend upon the projects taken. The 4-H member is responsible for the materials for the projects they enroll in, so that cost is controlled by the 4-H member.

What do the H's stand for?

HEAD -- Learning to think, making decisions, understanding the "why's", and gaining new and valuable knowledge.

HEART -- Being concerned with the welfare of others, accepting the responsibilities of citizenship, determining values and attitudes by which to live, and learning how to work with others.

HANDS -- Learning new skills, perfecting skills already known, and developing pride in work and respect for it.

HEALTH -- Practicing healthful living, protecting the well-being of self and others, and making constructive use of leisure time.

These together are a four-fold development. Each leaf, each H is vital to every individual. You need to make sure all four H's become equally important to you.