New to 4-H or looking for a quick answer? Find answers to common questions about joining, projects, clubs, fair, and getting involved in Park County 4-H
Cloverbuds are ages 5–7 and participate in non-competitive, activity-based 4-H experiences. Youth ages 8–18 can enroll as 4-H members and participate in projects, clubs, events, competitions, and other opportunities. Eligibility is based on age as of January 1 of the current 4-H year.
Enrollment is completed online through ZSuite. You’ll create or update your family account, enroll each participating youth, choose project areas and a club, and submit the enrollment for approval by the Park County 4-H Office. Visit our Join 4-H page for complete enrollment instructions.
Enrollment is $15 through December 31 and $30 beginning January 1. First-year members are $15 regardless of enrollment date, and Cloverbuds are free.
Once your enrollment is approved, get connected with your club and project opportunities. Attend club meetings, watch the Monday Message for upcoming activities and deadlines, and start exploring the projects and events that interest you.
Enrollment opens October 1st and members can enroll throughout the 4-H year. Enrolling by December 31 qualifies returning members for the early enrollment rate. Some projects, activities, and events may have additional deadlines, so joining earlier gives members the most opportunities to participate.
For your first year, we recommend starting with one or two projects. Projects can take different amounts of time, so starting small gives you a chance to learn how 4-H works and decide what you enjoy. You can always add more as you gain experience.
Park County has several 4-H clubs to choose from. Clubs may differ by location, meeting schedule, activities, and available volunteer leaders. You can explore our local clubs, contact leaders to learn more, or attend a few meetings before deciding which club is the best fit for your family.
Not every project has a local volunteer leader every year, but you can still participate. Members can use 4-H project resources and learn with help from parents, family members, or others who have experience in the project area. Contact our office if you need help finding resources for your project.
Clubs are an important part of the 4-H experience. They give members opportunities to make friends, develop leadership skills, participate in community service, learn about upcoming activities, and get support with their projects.
Yes, changes can often be made after enrollment. However, some projects, contests, and fair activities have enrollment or participation deadlines. Contact the Park County 4-H Office if you need help changing your club or project selections.
Volunteer leaders help members learn, develop skills, and get involved in 4-H. Depending on their role, volunteers may lead a club, teach a project, coach a team, organize activities, serve on a committee, or help with events.
It depends on how involved you choose to be. Members typically attend club meetings and spend time working on their selected projects, with additional opportunities such as workshops, camps, community service, contests, and events throughout the year. Families can choose the opportunities that work best for their schedules.
Not at all! 4-H offers projects for a wide range of interests. In addition to livestock and agriculture, members can explore photography, cooking, sewing, visual arts, shooting sports, outdoor recreation, STEM, leadership, and much more.
No. County fair is one opportunity for members to showcase what they’ve learned, but 4-H happens all year long. Members can participate in club activities, projects, workshops, camps, community service, contests, leadership opportunities, and other events without participating in county fair.
No. Most 4-H projects don’t involve animals at all. Even within animal projects, requirements vary by project and activity. If you’re interested in an animal project but don’t own an animal, contact our office and we can help you understand your options.
A 4-H portfolio is a record of your 4-H year. It gives you a place to document your projects, activities, leadership, community service, accomplishments, and what you learned. Keeping a portfolio also gives you information you can use later when applying for awards, scholarships, jobs, and other opportunities.
Portfolios are encouraged because they help members keep track of their 4-H experiences and accomplishments. They may also be used for awards and recognition opportunities. Contact the Park County 4-H Office if you have questions about current portfolio requirements or deadlines.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? The Park County 4-H team is happy to answer questions and help you get started.
