What is 4-H?
4-H is about growing and learning, but it's also about having fun.
Who: Youth ages 5 - 18 years of age from across the county & adults of all ages working together
What: Join a club that meets monthly to build life skills through hands-on learning experiences. These may include practicing parliamentary procedures during club meetings, giving a talk, making a project or carrying out community service projects.
How: 4-H uses research-based project information to empower youth to do things they've never done before in a creative and confident way. Best of all, you can choose your level of participation – as much or as little as you have time for.
When: 4-H organizes for the new year each October 1. Youth may join throughout the year, but must join by May 1 if they intend to participate in the 4-H division at the Ellis County Fair. (Some livestock projects have earlier enrollment deadlines. Visit with the local Extension Office for specific dates.)
4-H teaches youth to analyze information, make decisions, communicate effectively, prepare for careers, serve their communities and plan for healthy lifestyles - all while they're having fun. So, go ahead, get involved in 4-H - and have some fun!
4-H Pledge
I Pledge my Head to Clearer Thinking
My Heart to Greater Loyalty
My Hands to Larger Service
And My Health to Better Living
For My Club, My Community, My Country & My World.
4-H Motto
"To Make the Best Better"
4-H Emblem
The official clover is kelly green with white H's with the stem. The 4-H colors are the same green and white. The white symbolizes purity. The green represents nature's most common color and is emblematic of youth, life and growth.
"Learning By Doing"
This phrase sums up the 4-H educational philosophy. It exemplifies the experiential nature of the 4-H learning experiences. Young people learn best when they are actively involved in their learning. The intent is to do, reflect, and apply the learning to other places in their lives.
Kansas 4-H Mission
With unique strategies and opportunities, Kansas 4-H Youth Development engages youth in reaching their full potential through partnerships with caring adults.
Kansas 4-H Vision
A world where youth and adults advance positive life skills by learning, growing, and working together.
Kansas 4-H Life Skills
Life skills are the skills young people need to grow into competent and caring adults. These life skills are developed through work in a wide variety of project areas. In Kansas 4-H we emphasize the development of these life skills:
- A positive self-concept . . . Youth develop a positive self concept by seeking their fullest unique potential as a person.
- An inquiring mind. . . Youth develop an inquiring mind when he/she knows how to obtain information when it is needed and expects to live in a changing world.
- A concern for the community . . . Youth develop a concern for the community by becoming aware of his/her social responsibility, and is willing to be involved in improving the community, both local and global.
- Healthy interpersonal relationships . . .Youth learn healthy interpersonal relationships when they get along with others, work and interact with people of all ages.
- Sound decision making . . . Youth learn to make sound decisions when he/she makes choices and can apply what is known in a productive way.