Join Mariposa County 4-H

September 16, 2019 - 4-H is a youth development program of the University of California Cooperative Extension which is collaboration between federal, state, and county governments.  The 4-H youth development advisors work with other staff and volunteers to deliver the 4-H program in our county.  4-H is an educational program to assist youth in their development by providing learn-by-doing educational experiences, developing skills that benefit youth throughout life, strengthening families and communities, fostering leadership and volunteerism in youth and adults, building partnerships for programming and funding, using research based knowledge from the land-grant university system, and conduct community service within our town.

Activities include club and project meetings, camps, conferences, workshops, fun activities for both youth, and leaders.  Some of the projects available this year are sewing, rocketry, shooting sports-rifle and shotgun, gardening, livestock, and more.

Youth are eligible to participate in 4-H as primary members if they are 5 years old as of December 31 of the program year.  Primary members have special policies in regarding participation, competition, and animal projects. Youth nine years old by December 31 of the program year, can enroll as regular members. Youth remain eligible for membership until the end of the calendar year in which they turn 19 years old.  

The 2019-20 Mariposa County 4-H program year will begin October 1.  There are six 4-H clubs to choose from: Bootjack 49ers, Triangle (meet at Grace Church), Catheys Valley (held at McCay Hall), Clover Pioneers (town club), Hornitos club, and on the north side in Coulterville/Don Pedro area (meetings held at the Don Pedro Elementary School).   We will be having a Greeley Hill/Coulterville Afterschool SPIN Club.

If you are interested on volunteering as a 4-H project leader, we are also taking adult enrollments.  We are looking for adults with special interests in sheep, small engines, horses, automotive, arts and crafts, welding, fishing, biking, or any other interest that the youth of Mariposa would enjoy.  A volunteer leader must be 18 years of age or older and go through the new leader online trainings, DOJ livescan, and be approved by county director.  Leaders must hold a minimum of 6 hours of instruction to complete a project but can hold more meetings if needed for the project completion.

If your child or you are interested, please contact the UCCE office at (209) 966-4829, or drop by the office at 5009 Fairgrounds Rd. Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  (Office is closed for lunch from 1:00 p.m. to 2 p.m.).  Enrollment deadlines are for returning 4-Hers is November 1 and for new members December 15, 2019.  Enrollment fees are $65 for youth and $25 for volunteer leaders.  

Come join the fun with 4-H!