Waldo County 4-H
What is 4-H | How to Get Involved | Learn More | Enroll Today
What is 4-H?
4-H is the youth development education program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Youth, ages 5 to 18, work on the four values of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health through fun “learning by doing” activities and projects.
Youth become involved in 4-H educational programs through:
- 4-H clubs and independent membership
- School enrichment programs
- Short Term Special Interest Clubs
- 4-H Camps and Learning Centers
4-H also offers a variety of 4-H curricula for community clubs, schools, after-school settings, and other positive youth development organizations.
How to Get Involved
4-H Clubs
A 4-H club is comprised of youth members, led by an adult volunteer, with a planned program that is carried on throughout all or most of the year. 4-H Clubs may meet in any location and typically have elected youth officers and a set of rules approved by the membership to govern the club. 4-H Clubs can focus on any topic ranging from raising animals to building robots and everything in between. 4-H Clubs are eligible to participate in any county, state, and nationwide 4-H events throughout the year including but not limited to public speaking, Maine 4-H Days, The Union Fair, and more!
Special Interest/Short-Term Programs
We regularly offer SPIN (SPecial INterest) clubs and projects. These short-term programs are led by staff and/or volunteers and are designed for youth to learn a selected topic or skill of interest. These groups meet for a specific amount of time (usually 4-6 times) and topics vary according to the volunteer’s expertise, and may include but are not limited to: the natural world, heritage arts, science and technology, photography, music, gardening, shooting sports, and more! These clubs are becoming increasingly popular as they tend to accommodate busy family schedules and target youth interests. You are not necessarily required to join 4-H as a full member to participate in these short-term programs, although full membership makes you eligible to participate in any county, state, and nationwide 4-H events throughout the year. These special interest programs can be held in locations such as but not limited to afterschool programs, community centers, area organizations, and the Extension Office.
Independent
Independent 4-H members are typically working on a 4-H project at home, at school, or after school. They are mentored by parents and/or a 4-H Volunteer. This option offers flexibility and independence since youth are not required to meet in a club setting. Independents are eligible to participate in any county, state, and nationwide 4-H events throughout the year including but not limited to: ublic speaking, Maine 4-H Days, The Union Fair, and more!
Independent membership is a great choice for youth who do not have the option to join a club (due to distance, interest, etc) but who still want to participate in county and statewide 4-H events and programs.
Camp and Learning Centers
There are four 4-H Camp & Learning Centers in Maine: Bryant Pond, Tanglewood, Blueberry Cove, and Greenland Point. You do not need to be enrolled in 4-H to attend camp, but scholarships are available for enrolled 4-H youth to attend camp in the summer!
Volunteer
If you are an adult interested in sharing your passion for a topic or skill, consider volunteering with 4-H!
For more information about the Waldo County 4-H Program please contact the Waldo County Cooperative Extension Office at 207.342.5971 or by email at karen.giles@maine.edu.
Learn More!
To learn more about upcoming 4-H activities in Waldo County sign up for our monthly newsletter or connect with us on Facebook.
New Interest Form
Interested in learning more about 4-H? Fill out the new interest form to let staff know that you would like to know more about Waldo County 4-H opportunities.
Newsletter
Enroll Today!
New youth members can enroll at any time throughout the year in one of two ways:
- Enrollment can be done by completing the three enrollment documents linked below.
- Enrollment can be done online via 4h.zsuite.org. Please follow the steps in the PDF below to enroll online using ZSuites.