4-H Youth Development

Join 4-H In Belknap County!

The 4-H program in Belknap County invites your family to join the best youth development program available. Boys and girls between 5 – 18 years old complete projects of interest through fun of hands on learning, make new friends, and have opportunities to work with adults that have similar interest.

What is 4-H?

4-H is the youth component of Cooperative Extension, which is an outreach program for our “Land Grant” University of NH. This means that child(ren) can join approximately 200 youth from Belknap County to explore projects of interest, provide community service, take leadership roles, and participate in local, county, and national opportunities. 4-H is supported through county, state, and federal funds so there is no charge to join.

What makes 4-H different from other youth programs?

4-H is not just youth education, but rather youth development where each child is supported, encouraged, and given opportunities to develop skills that will last a life time, ie. social skills, goal setting, leadership, record keeping, critical thinking, etc. Life skills fit into four categories: Head for thinking, Heart for caring, Hands for working, Health for life style choices.

How can this be possible?

Volunteer leaders and teens provide leadership through every facet of the program. Each family is asked to help in some way. You may have a hobby that you can share with 4-5 youth or possibly help with a phone committee, or refreshment committee. Families can participate in as much or as little as you like making 4-H Youth Development fit into YOUR schedule.

Is there a 4-H group near me?

There are currently 26 clubs in Belknap County with approximately 100 adult volunteers. All 4-H Leaders are screened to be sure they are working with youth for the right reasons. Most communities have at least one club. 4-H can be found in afterschool programs, evening clubs, short courses, or you can participate independently as a family.

Call Becky at the 4-H office in Laconia at 527-5475 for more specific information. We look forward to hearing from you and having you as part of our 4-H Family.

 

Interested in becoming a 4-H Member or Leader? Please click here.