How do youth participate in 4-H?

Youth and adults may participate in the 4-H YDP through a variety of delivery modes. Annually, the Statewide 4-H YDP Director reviews and sets 4-H program fees. The 4-H program fees are assessed based on the length and level of participation and whether the 4-H YDP is the lead or supervising agency. Each delivery mode has its own strengths for various settings.

• CONTEXT—circumstances and conditions which surround an event or individual; the circumstances or settings which determine, specify, or clarify the meaning of an event.
• CONTENT—information and experiences created by individuals, institutions, and technology to benefit audiences in venues
  that they value.

Delivery Method: Organized 4-H Clubs

4-H Community Clubs - This delivery mode consists of an organized group of youth, supervised by a team of appointed 4-H adult volunteers, with a planned program that is carried out through all or most of the year. 4-H clubs have elected officers and an approved constitution and bylaws to govern the club.

• Community clubs typically meet in the evenings or on weekends and offer self-chosen multiple learning experiences and activities.
• Military 4-H clubs are organized by the Armed Forces, often on military installations, and principally for military dependents. More Information.

FEES: Individual youth and adult volunteers pay the full annual 4-H program fee which includes accident and sickness insurance coverage and complete all the required individual 4-H enrollment paperwork.

Delivery Method: 4-H School Enrichment

This delivery mode includes groups or classrooms of youth receiving a sequence of learning experiences in cooperation with school officials during school hours to support the school curriculum. Direct teaching is done by 4-H YDP staff, trained volunteers, teen youth, classroom teachers or other school personnel.

FEES: No 4-H program fees are required since the youth are under the direct supervision of the school personnel and do not participate in any out-of-school 4-H activities or events. Group enrollment forms are used.

Delivery Method: 4-H Afterschool

In this delivery mode educational programs are offered outside of school hours to youth enrolled and under the supervision of another agency or school and incorporate 4-H YDP curricula or other activities in their programming.

FEES: No 4-H program fees are required since the youth are under the direct supervision of the school-age child care or afterschool agency or school personnel and do not participate in any out- of-school 4-H activities. Group enrollment forms are used.

Delivery Method: 4-H Camps

In this delivery mode youth participate in a 4-H planned educational experience of group living in the out-of-doors. Overnight camping includes being away from home at least one night; resident, primitive, or travel camping. (Youth enrolled in this delivery mode are not part of an Organized 4-H Club).

FEES: Individual youth and adult volunteers pay the full annual 4-H program fee which includes accident and sickness insurance coverage and complete all of the required 4-H enrollment paperwork.

Delivery Method: 4-H Short-Term Activities

In this delivery mode groups of youth meet for a special learning experience that involves direct teaching by 4-H YDP staff or trained appointed volunteers or teen leaders. The program is not part of the school curriculum. The direct audience contact for this delivery mode is at least six hours but no more than six weeks.

FEES: Individual youth and adult volunteers pay one/half of the annual 4-H program fees which include accident and sickness insurance coverage and complete the individual enrollment paperwork.

Delivery Method: 4-H Individual Study/Mentoring/Family Learning Programs

In this delivery mode planned learning is less than six weeks in duration and occurs independently of a formal group setting and usually is self directed, with limited adult involvement except for parents or mentors. Examples include self-study, home study courses, advanced placement courses, mentoring or shadowing with an “expert,” or whole families learning together independently of others outside of the family.

FEES: No 4-H program fees are required so long as the participation is six weeks or less and does not include participation outside of the home. Group enrollment forms are used.

Delivery Method: Instructional TV/Video/Webcast Programs

In this delivery mode youth are offered learning experiences through 4-H YDP via broadcast, closed circuit television, Internet, or other screen technologies.

FEES: No 4-H program fees are required as long as the youth are not under the direct supervision of the 4-H YDP and the participation is in the youth’s home or under the supervision of another agency. Group enrollment forms are used.