Projects

2008/2009 Projects - < - Click Here

2007/2008 Projects - <--click here

Choosing Projects

Welcome to 4-H! You are joining the largest youth organization in the world. Now that you've joined, what's next? Next you get to choose projects for an exciting 4-H year! In selecting projects, think about:

An interest you'd like to explore
A hobby you'd like to learn more about
A topic of interest shared by you and your family
Something that is fun for you

Remember to select projects on topics in which you can get help from your parents, grandparents, friends, or other 4-H members. We suggest that you work with your parent and leader to select your 4-H projects.

When you are learning how to take a photograph, feed a calf, build a birdhouse, or plant a garden, you will also be learning such life skills as how to make decisions; how to organize yourself, your time, and your money; how to keep records; and how to work with and get along with others.

Projects are just one part of the 4-H experience. By participating in club meetings, you will learn how to be a group member, to speak in front of a group, and how to work together on club projects. 4-H is full of fun times to work and play with others, including community service projects, club trips, activities, and camps.

All these skills will help you as you go through grade school, junior high, high school, and beyond! For many 4-Hers, interests in certain 4-H projects has led to a future career.

So let's start by choosing a 4-H project! You can use this page as you would use a catalog. To enroll in a project, list the name and project number on a 4-H enrollment form that your 4-H leader will give you.

Getting Started

At a future club meeting, you will get project materials from your leader. You'll want to keep these as long as you are enrolled in the project. When you no longer need the project materials, return them to your leader. Read the project materials! These are filled with exciting ideas. The information will help you learn at your own speed about a specific project topic!

Think about what you want to do or learn. (This is called a project goal).
Talk about your ideas with your leader, parent, or a friend.
Write down your goals. It is okay if your goals change or if you add others during the year.

Pick learning experiences or activities that help you meet your project goals. Many kinds of help are available to you in 4-H. Your 4-H club leader, CSU Extension staff, teachers, librarians, family, and friends are all "people" resources. 4-H project materials, videos, magazines, books, and the Internet can be resources, too.

Carry out your learning activities. As you work on your activity, keep track of what you do and what you learn in your 4-H record keeping system.

Share what you have learned with others. You could do this by giving a presentation, showing a friend your finished item, or introducing them to your pet and explaining how you take care of it.

4-H Families

Families are an important partner in the 4-H experience! As a partner, you are part of an exciting new adventure with your child! Your help and support on this adventure can mean the difference between experience that is just fun and one that has lifelong meaning.

4-H is a program designed to help your child develop knowledge and skills as well as leadership and citizenship qualities. The goal of 4-H is to help each youth develop his or her own potential to the fullest.

4-H can be a tool to help you and your child to work together. You can encourage a positive experience by:

Helping your child select projects based on his or her interests, abilities, and maturity.
Encouraging record keeping by providing a place for 4-H materials and records at home.
Reading the project material your 4-Her receives.
Helping your child think about what he or she wants to learn and how to go about it.
Being supportive and giving encouragement when problems or disappointments arise.
Reading the 4-H newsletter and taking note of the things that apply to your 4-Her.
4-H is a program that involves your child with other 4-Hers and adults.

4-H can't exist without volunteer leaders! It is very important that parents support and assist the leaders.

Please share yourself with them by volunteering. Groups and programs are designed to meet the needs of different youth. 4-H experiences are as unique as each member. You can assist volunteer leaders by encouraging and supporting your 4-Her in attending club meetings. You also can volunteer to help the club by hosting meetings and helping at club meetings and activities.