If you have any questions about 4-H you can read this list of Frequently Asked Questions, it has the anwsers to questions about 4-H.
Q: How old do you have to be to be in 4-H?
A: A child can enter 4-H when they�re in Kindergarten and are at least 5 years old. From Kindergarten through 2nd grade they are called Cloverbuds.
Q: What projects can a Cloverbud enter?
A: A Cloverbud does not enroll in any specific projects. Instead, they enroll as a Cloverbud and are granted the privilege of attending any project meetings they might be interested in. The Cloverbud program is designed for them to explore many different projects areas.
Q: Does 4 Ever Green specialize in a 4-H project?
A: No. However, as membership grows, it is anticipated that members enrolled in the same project will meet in addition to the monthly club meetings to participate in an activity specifically related to a particular project. For example: Bake pies at a member�s house or meet at the trap shooting range and shoot clay pigeons, etc.
Q: How often does 4 Ever Green meet?
A: 4 Ever Green meets on the second Tuesday of each month except in August due to member activity at the county fair.
Q: How many members does 4 Ever Green have?
A: In 2003, 4 Ever Green�s second year, there were 18 members.
Q: What kind of community service work does the club do?
A: In 2003, members made and delivered tray favors (easy, mini crafts to place on food trays) to a nursing home, sang Christmas carols at a senior housing complex, cleaned up a city park, and packaged food to be sent to Liberia through Feeding Children International. Community service is key to fulfilling the club�s mission and the number of this type of club activities is expected to grow each year!
Q: What does 4-H cost?
A: The cost to be a 4-H member has 2 pieces: the county piece and the club piece. In 2003 a family would pay $6 per family plus $1 per child to enroll for the year; this fee was the same whether a family joined at the beginning of the 4-H year in the fall or at the end of the 4-H year in the summer. In 2002 and 2003, 4 Ever Green dues for new members was the sale of 3 calendars as part of the club�s fall fundraiser or if the family joined after the fundraiser, dues was pro-rated at $.75 for the remaining months in the club�s year. All re-enrolling members participate in the fundraiser.
Q: What kind of educational things does 4 Ever Green do?
A: On an individual basis, each member enrolls in one or more projects that interest them. Filling out records and attending county project meetings related to these projects is the primary �learning� experience the member has. At each club meeting, the 4-Her will see a demonstration by a fellow member. In addition, 4 Ever Green is committed to providing �outside� educational activities; however, this is something the club is just beginning. An example of this type of educational activity is the Fire Safety and Basic First Aid presentation a Lakeville fire fighter will be giving at the November 2004 meeting.
Q: Do I have to enter something in the fair?
A: No, however, it is a unique experience that is strongly encouraged. 4-H projects are not judged in the typical manner where you drop something off then come back later to see if you placed. When you bring your project in, you sit down with an adult expert in that field of study and talk to them about your project for 10 to 15 minutes; then right there, on-the-spot, they award you a blue, red, or white ribbon based on your knowledge, expertise, age, and number of years in the project. In any �class� there is the opportunity for all entrants to receive blue ribbons (and the dollar prize that goes with it)!
Q: What kind of �fun stuff� does 4 Ever Green do?
A: At each meeting a game is played after the meeting. After some meetings a tray favor craft is made to be delivered to a nursing home. At most meetings, one or two members will demonstrate something they are learning about. In June, the club has its annual Park Clean-up and Picnic (In 2003, a rousing game of kick-ball was the hit of the afternoon!). The county also sponsors many fun events for youth like swimming, crafts, volleyball and softball leagues, and project-specific events that are too numerous to list.
Q: I've heard that 4-H has a youth public speaking program; what is it?
A: 4-H encourages public speaking and leadership in many ways. At the club level opportunities include: being an officer, demonstrating something at a club meeting, leading a committee, etc. At the county level 4-Hers can: demonstrate something at the fair, compete in the communications contest, participate in the performing arts event, represent 4 Ever Green in a 6-minute skit, participate in performance troupes that visit schools and perform at the fair, hold county office, lead county committees, be an ambassador and visit other clubs, etc. The county also sponsors many meetings for youth to learn more about speaking and leadership topics.