Belknap County 4-H: Something for Everyone
4-H is the community for everyone. We do it all – we are in the woods, on the farm, on the shooting range, in the garden, making, stitching, engineering, building, leading through service, climbing mountains, and always reaching new horizons.
In 4-H, youth complete hands-on projects in areas like agri-science, STEM, healthy living, and citizenship. 4-H’ers receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.
Our program is structured in the form of community clubs and afterschool programs, county-wide events, and SPINs (short-term programs designed around a SPecific INterest). Whether you are looking to join a tight-knit group that meets routinely (a community club), be casually involved in something fun and positive (SPINs), or anywhere in between, your children can work on projects in areas of their interest, expand their level of understanding, and build relationships that will last a lifetime.
Interested in Belknap County 4-H? Connect with us
Upcoming Events
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December 3, 2024
6:00pm - 7:30pm, Attention Club Leaders and volunteers: are you looking for a fun and inviting STEM project to do with your Clubs? Here is a great opportunity for you to
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January 11, 2025
9:00am - 2:30pm, NH 4-H Animal Science Bonanza is back for 2025! This event kicks off the new year and introduces youth and families to the world of animal science with 4-H and
There are many opportunities to participate in 4-H in Belknap County!
Join a Club
Many 4-H’ers choose to join a local or county-wide club, which provides opportunities to make new friends, learn from volunteer adult leaders, and gain skills in many project areas. Take a look at the list below of clubs currently active in our county and then contact us to let us know if there are any clubs you might be interested in checking out, and we will put you in touch with the club leaders.
Join as an Independent Member
Maybe you’re not necessarily interested in joining a club at this time, and that’s OK! 4-H is committed to bringing you programs wherever you are. Youth and families who attend county-wide events and SPINs or work on 4-H projects independently are recognized as Independent Members.
Find an Event
At the county level we also offer several county-wide events that you can casually attend and enjoy. Belknap County 4-H is infamous at the Belknap County Fair every year. County-wide “SPINs” are Special Interest courses that are implemented like fieldtrips, workshops, and introduce you to a new hobby or project area, or scaffold more advanced concepts in favorite project areas. Check out our Events Calendar to find a short-term program that might interest you!
Volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering with Belknap County 4-H, there are many ways to get involved. Take a look our Volunteer Information to find out how you can participate, whether you are looking for the occasional opportunity to volunteer or a more extensive commitment.
Interested in joining a 4-H Club in Belknap County? Connect with us to get started.
New Hampton Area
Community Service, Leadership, Arts & Crafts, Citizenship, Small Animals, Foods & Nutrition, Exploring 4-H Projects
Laconia Area
Cloverbuds, Arts & Crafts
Barnstead Area
Shooting Sports, Archery
Sanbornton Area
Horse, Exploring 4-H Projects
Laconia Area
Leadership, Community Service, Personal Development, Citizenship, Gardening, Career Exploration/Workforce Prep
Center Barnstead Area
Horse, Community Service, Safety
Sanbornton Area
Animal Sciences, Horticulture, Community Service
Northfield Area
Poultry, Exploring 4-H Projects, Community Service, Arts & Crafts, Leadership, Citizenship, SPIN (Special Interest)
Franklin/Tilton Area
School-based club, Leadership, Community Service, STEM
Center Barnstead Area
Arts & Crafts, Exploring 4-H Projects
Gilmanton Area
Poultry, STEM, Exploring 4-H Projects
Alton Area
Exploring 4-H Projects
Plymouth Area
Cloverbuds, Arts & Crafts, Small Animals, Exploring 4-H Projects
Center Barnstead Area
Veterinary Science, Safety, Dog
Northfield Area
Horse, Veterinary Science, Safety
Sanbornton Area
Exploring 4-H Projects
Tilton Area
Horse, Poultry, Veterinary Science, Community Service, Leadership, Arts & Crafts, Photography, Public Speaking
Reach out to your local County 4-H team to get started on your 4-H journey!
Belknap County 4-H in Action
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Every year the University of New Hampshire hosts a 4-H activities day for teens that includes leadership activities.
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4-H clubs and programs would not be possible without our dedicated group of volunteers.
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4-H hosted a "Meet Your Local Legislators" event for teens.
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4-H Cloverbud proudly shows her Best of Show project at the 2021 Belknap County Fair.
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4-H member preparing her sheep for the 4-H sheep show at the Belknap County Fair.
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4-H Members receiving the Rita Clairmont Memorial Award (the most outstanding indoor display exhibit) at the Belknap County Fair.
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4-H members preparing for the 4-H Horse show at the Belknap County Fair.
There are countless ways to support Belknap County 4-H, and no way too small. Thank you for considering supporting the important work we are doing in any of these ways.
To support our programs by donating to our 4-H Foundation, you can make checks payable to the "Belknap County 4-H Foundation" and send to Belknap County 4-H, 64 Court St., Laconia, NH, 03246. We hope to have a way to accept recurring online payments soon. All donations received go directly to fund Belknap County 4-H programs and scholarships.
We are always seeking volunteers to fill a number of different roles. If you are interested, please email karen.deighan@unh.edu.
Belknap County Foundation Board Members
To support 4-H programming in Belknap County and to raise funds and provide awards, trips, scholarships, and other incentives to 4-H youth and volunteers in the county.
Youth Leadership Team Advisors
This role will facilitate a program where the teens in the county learn more about their identity though community improvement projects, social experiences, retreats, planning events, and attending workshops about leadership concepts. Time commitment: 2-3 hours per week.
SPIN Facilitators
We are seeking volunteers with interest and experience in special project areas (examples: hydroponics, maple sugaring, livestock, etc.).
Club/Project Leaders
To volunteer as a Club leader, project leader, or SPIN facilitator, there is a volunteer application and onboarding process. We are here to get you started and guide you through it – start by completing the 4-H Volunteer Application online.
Pathway Committee Members
These volunteers would meet 4-6 times a year to help plan county-wide programs in either Agricultural Science, Healthy Living, or STEM pathway areas. These Volunteers get “first dibs” on paid trainings, workshops, and certifications that are related to the pathway they are planning for.
Fundraising Collaborator
We are looking for volunteers to collaborate on county-wide fundraisers.
The 4-H Basics
What is 4-H?
4-H is America’s largest youth development organization. The purpose of 4-H is to provide a supportive setting for all youth to pursue the projects and interests they love, all while serving the community and gaining valuable life skills.
What do the 4 H’s in 4-H mean?
The 4 H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. Our organization’s title is directly connected to our 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."
How old do you have to be to join 4-H?
Our programs are primarily geared towards youth ages 8-18. However, we have ways for your 5-7-year-olds to participate as a “Cloverbud.” If you are older than 18 and still want to express the 4-H spirit, you can take advantage of our many volunteer opportunities.
How do I find my local county 4-H program?
New Hampshire 4-H is the youth development program of UNH Cooperative Extension, and our 10 County 4-H Programs in New Hampshire serving youth from all over the state. 4-H operates on many levels of the community. There are events, programs, workshops, and opportunities on both the County level and the State level (even the National level). Get started by finding your County 4-H Program here. Your county program is usually the county where you live, but if you are planning to join a 4-H club in a different county, that county program will be your home base.
How do I find a local 4-H Club?
The list of Clubs and Afterschool Programs on your County 4-H Program page is a great place to start. To get connected with a club, complete our 4-H interest form, and a 4-H staff member will be in touch to find out more about your interests and put you in touch with a Club Leader that fits your interests and location.
Who leads 4-H Clubs?
The best people in the world lead 4-H Clubs. No joke! 4-H Volunteers lead Clubs, and you can be sure they are truly invested in giving their attention and skills to your children because they do it for free. 4-H nationally gets over a billion dollars of time and expertise from our Volunteers every year. Why on earth would they do that? Because giving your children skills and opportunities is incredibly rewarding for them, and 4-H supports and empowers them to make the maximum impact possible. All 4-H Volunteers are supported by a professional staff, including your County 4-H Program Manager and Field Specialists who are University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension staff members.
What are 4-H Club meetings like?
4-H youth work on projects of all kinds within four general program pathways: Agricultural Science, Civic Engagement, Healthy Living, and STEM. Some Clubs specifically focus on one of these pathways. Other Clubs generally dabble in all four. Youth have opportunities to present and showcase their projects at the county fairs and other county, state, and regional events – but most of the learning and skill development happens in the Clubs. 4-H Club members build leadership by electing officers and conducting their own business meetings, work together on community service activities, meet new friends, and of course, have lots of fun.
What if I don’t necessarily want to join a club?
There are still many ways to be involved! 4-H is committed to bringing you programs wherever you are, and maybe joining a Club is not for you at this time. Youth and families who want to attend county-wide events and SPINs or work on 4-H projects independently are recognized as “independent members” or “participants”. Find a 4-H event near you or contact us to get started as a 4-H independent member.
How do I officially enroll in 4-H?
4-H Online is our official enrollment database. Registering in 4-H Online allows you to manage your 4-H clubs and projects, register your 4-H animals, and sign up for events. Enrollment as a club member or participant is required to register for your county events and SPINs. If you need help enrolling, check out our Enrollment Guide for NH Families.
How do I get involved as a 4-H volunteer?
There are many different kinds of opportunities to support 4-H through volunteering – see all of them here. To volunteer as a Club leader, project leader, or SPIN facilitator, there is a volunteer application and onboarding process. We are here to get you started and guide you through it – start by completing the 4-H Volunteer Application online.
Can parents be involved in 4-H Clubs?
Parents can and should be involved in 4-H Clubs. Speak to the Club Leader to define the best role for you!
How do I start a local 4-H group?
Screened 4-H Volunteers can start a 4-H group aka “Club.” There is a more involved orientation process for Club Organizational Leaders that is designed to bring their vision into reality and highlight the extra responsibilities. We are here to get you started and guide you through it – start by completing the 4-H Volunteer Application online.
