How do I become part of 4-H? How do I sign my child up for 4-H? These are probably the second most frequently asked questions we get. The answer is fairly simple… 4-H Online. If you have a deer-in-the-headlights look after reading that, well, that’s normal. So please let me explain. About five years ago, in an effort to make our lives a little easier, the state 4-H office instituted a program called 4-H Online. This online registration system is used in almost all the states in the country (yes, 4-H is in all 50 states). It has put 4-H registration at your fingertips and made it easier to sign up for programs, learn about 4-H, etc.
Below is a QR code you can scan to go directly to the 4-H Online website. Once there, you create a login and password and start a family profile to register your child or children for 4-H in Robeson County. You can sign up for clubs (we have lots of them starting), you can register for projects, or you can sign up for programs as they become available. Registering for 4-H is really easy, and it is free. Members are between the ages of 5 (as of Jan 1, 2024) and 18 years old. Adults can also serve as volunteers and they have lots of opportunities in the program as well.
What are the benefits for signing up now? Well 4-H members get first dibs to sign up for programs like Summer Fun (our popular summer day camp program), Overnight Camp, and other neat opportunities. Besides hearing things first, you will get emails from our office to let you know what is coming up, and access to our blog that shows upcoming programs, and boasts about our youth achievements. You can also stay up to date on things going on with our 4-H App (QR below). From there you can sign up for 4-H (under join), programs (under programs), stay up to date with our blog (under news), and more.
Why should I consider 4-H rather than other youth-development programs like scouting or Boys and Girls Club? Let’s not say “rather” here; try us “in addition to.” I know your schedule is full and what we offer is not a daily or weekly option, but we do offer a lot, and 4-H is what you make of it because you pick and choose what you want to do. Youth have the chance to explore all sorts of opportunities related to leadership, communication, agriculture, nutrition, and more. 4-H is a great, safe place to explore and try to see what you like and don’t like. We are in the business of growing great kids; I would suggest giving it a shot to see how your children like it. To get started all you need to do is sign up in 4-H Online.
So now you know the answer to the number two asked question in our office. Oh, and if you are wondering what the number one question we get, ”4-H is about cows and cooking, right?” I would love to give you the answer to that question but we are all out of space for this article. If you need to know the answer, check out our 4-H blog and see what we really do in 4-H (I’ll leave you a QR code for that too).
For more information, please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, 4-H Youth Development with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 671-3276, by E-mail at Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu or visit our website. Shea Ann is also licensed by the Emily Post Institute as a child etiquette teacher.
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