4-H in Cambria County

On this page:

What is 4-H?

Purpose of 4-H

How do participants benefit from 4-H?

4-H Emblems and Symbols

How Can I Be Involved in 4-H?

What is 4-H?

Cambria County 4-H is an informal education program for youth ages 8-19. Designed to teach youth life skills, 4-H is built on the subject matter projects developed by Penn State Cooperative Extension and by National 4-H Council. This information is used by interested adults who serve as volunteer leaders. Cooperative Extension 4-H is a joint effort of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Penn State University and the Cambria County Commissioners. The union of these organizations and funds provides the materials, tools and professional staff needed to support our volunteers and family participants.

4-H is people sharing, doing and learning together in all kinds of projects, events and activities. Members choose projects that fit their interests, and the places where they live. Group activities and events like fairs, trips, leader trainings, fundraising, and achievement programs provide additional opportunities and learning experiences.

4-H is open to all youth and adults regardless of race, sex, national origin, creed or disability. Most 4-H clubs have a business meeting for the entire membership once a month. They make decisions about projects to do, community service efforts, fundraising activities, election of officers, etc. Project meetings involve the adults and youth who want to work on a specific topic.

The backbone of 4-H is the system of volunteer leaders who lead 4-H clubs. Don't be surprised though, if you see 4-H in other places! We visit school, operate 4-H camp, and have occasional trainings for 4-H and non 4-H youth, known as special interests groups.

The purpose of 4-H is two-fold:

• To provide youth fun, active, hands-on educational experiences that will help them develop life skills such as confidence, leadership, cooperation and responsibility.
  
  
• To provide interested parents and other adults with the opportunity to grow through working with youth.

  4-H is utilizing the adults of today to help the adults of tomorrow. Our primary focus is on the activities of your local 4-H Club. Frequently there are county, regional and state opportunities available. These activities are to supplement the local club programs and provide additional learning experiences for those who desire them.

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How Do Participants Benefit From 4-H?

Youth and Adults alike will:

• Have a good time by learning in new, enjoyable ways.
• Make friends, belong to a group, give and receive acceptance and recognition.
• Build self-confidence.
• Develop a desire to learn.
• Gain decision-making, problem solving, communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Become more interested in their community and the people in it.
• Get more experience in relating to and working with their family, their peers, and people of different ages.
• Learn, make or do things that are appealing and meaningful.
• Learn practical skills and knowledge related to one or more projects during the year.

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4-H Emblems and Symbols

EMBLEM:

The 4-H emblem is a four-leaf clover with the letter "H" on each leaf.

THE 4-H'S

The 4-H's stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. These 4-H's represent the four fold training and development in which members participate. This meaning of the four H's is clearly given in the pledge below.

PLEDGE:

4-H members should learn the 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, and my World.

THE COLORS:

Green and white are the 4-H colors. The white background of the flag symbolizes purity; the green 4-H emblem is nature's most common color in the great outdoors and is the color of springtime, life and youth.

MOTTO:

The 4-H motto, "To Make the Best Better", should be the objective of every member and leader.

SLOGAN:

"Learn by doing"

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How Can I Be Involved in 4-H?

There are twenty eight 4-H clubs in Cambria County to which you could belong. You can have fun and learn skills in many project areas. Projects in which you can be involved include:

Horse & Pony	Pet Care	Citizenship
Goat	Baby Sitting	Woodworking
Dairy & Livestock	Textile Science	Rocketry
Capon	Foods and Nutrition	Bicycle
Rabbit	Photography	Health and Safety
Swine	Theater Arts	Archery
Lamb	Forestry	Wildlife
Beef	Gardening	Fishing
Dog Obedience	Exchange	Handicapped Riding

Pennsylvania has more than 150 4-H projects to choose from. A project listing is available from the Extension Office. If you are interested in 4-H, please call 472-7986 Ext between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM or email us at Cambriaext@psu.edu

Community clubs draw youth living nearby. The members choose the projects they work on. Clubs meet on a spring/summer schedule.

Project clubs meet once a month on a yearly schedule. Their focus is a single project. You can request a list of current clubs and plan to visit a club meeting before deciding which one to join. 4-H projects are also offered at your school through 4-H school enrichment.

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Who Can Join A 4-H Club?

All boys and girls, age 8-18 by January 1 of the current year, living anywhere in the county can join 4-H. Parents are welcomed as helpers at home or as club volunteers.

What Does It Cost To Join?

All 4-H club members will pay an annual $10.00 educational materials fee to help cover a portion of the costs of 4-H project books, resource materials, curriculum development, and program marketing. Depending on the availability of local funds, a county may choose to assist members with this fee or local clubs may conduct fund-raising events to offset the fee for its members. No youth will be turned away from a 4-H club due to their inability to pay the $10.00 fee. Check with your local club and Extension Office for more information about the Educational Materials Fee in your county. Back to top of page

Can I Start A 4-H Club In My Neighborhood?

Any adult may start a 4-H club in a home or community building. You need a minimum of five children and the adult must be screened as a volunteer. Volunteers will receive additional training and help to organize the club.

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Link to Pennsylvania 4-H Home Page

Link to National 4-H Council Home Page