Welcome to the Harmon County 4-H Program and all the exciting challenges that lie ahead! 4-H is a family organization that offers any youth (8-19 years of age) an opportunity for year-round involvement. Volunteer adult leaders help members:

• Select projects
• Hold meetings & elect officers
• Make exhibits; win ribbons and awards
• Learn public speaking
• Participate in events (camp, contests and workshops)
• Keep project records
• Have fun and meet new friends
• Develop into productive citizens

The 4-H mission is to help young people become motivated, productive and contributing members of society as they "learn by doing."  Dedicated adult volunteers contribute their time, talents and resources to maintain and expand the 4-H program.

 

As a 4-H family, you can join the ranks of 4-H volunteers to help all children in our communities to "make the best better."  Please take time to read and understand the 4-H Handbook as it can explain a great deal about the 4-H program.  We look forward to working with  you and your family!

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is 4-H?

  A national organization that provides experiences for youth 5-19 years old, 4-H focuses on developing youth as individuals and responsible, productive citizens. 4-H involves youth in community-based clubs, school enrichment programs and both group and individual projects to develop the individual's four "H's" - Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

• What do the "H's" stand for?

  The 4-H emblem, a four-leaf clover with the Letter "H" on each leaflet, stands for the equal training of the Head - used to think, to plan, to reason; the Heart - to be kind, to be true, to be sympathetic; the Hands - to be useful, to be helpful, to be skillful; and Health - to resist disease, to enjoy life and to make for efficiency.

• Who can be active in a 4-H club?

  Youth 5-19 years old can be club members. Adults are needed as volunteers. 4-H Alumni are needed as event judges, board members and in other volunteer positions. Parents can take an active role by being 4-H project leaders or helping in other ways.

• How do I join 4-H?

  In Harmon County, call (580) 688-3584. The 4-H extension educator will tell you which clubs are available and how to reach the club leader for meeting times and locations.

• Why should I join 4-H?

  Join 4-H to make friends, have fun and learn to do things. Interested in rocketry, pets and small animals, forestry, sewing, or anything else? In 4-H, you can focus on individual interests while still being part of a team.

• How do I start a 4-H club? 

  We would be glad to help you start a 4-H club. If you have five or six friends who are interested and an adult willing to serve as a volunteer leader, we can work with you to make your club a success.

• What else happens in 4-H?

  In addition to club meetings, countywide, districtwide and statewide events are held. Once you become a member you will receive a 4-H yearbook which contains event dates as well as a 4-H newsletter, which provides additional information.

• Is there cost to 4-H?

  A $20 per year 4-H Program Fee will be applied to all members who are 5 to 19 years of age, including cloverbuds. Families with three or more children enrolling will pay a $60 maximum fee. Of the $20 fee, $5 will be returned to the county. As part of the program fee, all 4-H members will be covered by the $1 per member accident insurance available through American Income Life as long as their enrollments are current and the injury took place during a 4-H activity. Funds raised will help provide educational, technical and logistical support to maintain a high quality program at the local, district and state levels for youth and volunteers. There may be costs associated with supplies for projects, or attending certain special events, such as camps, conferences, or workshops.

• Interested in 4-H?
  Contact the Harmon County Extension Service at (580) 688-3584. Or, stop by the office (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) at 320 N. Main st. in Hollis. 
• Interesting Facts about 4-H
  • In 1911, the four-leaf clover emblem was created as the official 4-H emblem to replace the previously used three-leaf clover. The four-leaf clover emblem was patented in 1924.
  • In 1914, the passage of the Smith-Lever Act by Congress established the Cooperative Extension Service System. 4-H is the youth program of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.
  • The Cooperative Extension Service represents a partnership between federal, state and local levels of government.
  • The first National 4-H Congress was held in 1922.
  • By 1924, 4-H became recognized universally as the name of youth club work in the United States.
  • National 4-H Conference began in 1927 to recognize 4-H'ers from each state who had shown outstanding ability and fitness for leadership.
  • Gallaher-Iba Arena on the campus of Oklahoma State University was once know as the 4-H and Student Activities Building. The dedication, on June 1, 1939, was carried live on radio station KVOO in Tulsa.
  • In 1952, a U.S. postage stamp was issued to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 4-H club movement.
  • President Dwight D. Eisenhower assisted with the dedication ceremonies for the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland in 1959.
  • During the 1970's the words "Our World" were added to the 4-H Pledge.
  • President Richard Nixon helped 4-H celebrate its 50th National 4-H Congress in Chicago in 1971.
  • The Oklahoma 4-H Key Club recognizes the accomplishments of top 4-H members across the state who are at least 15 years old and possess leadership, loyalty and a sense of responsibility to the total 4-H program.
  • In 2002, the 4-H movement celebrates its centennial as America's premier youth development organization.

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4-H in the Classroom - School Enrichment

Here's an opportunity to enhance your student's classroom experience through free or
low-cost hands-on materials. Developed by Extension faculty at Oklahoma State University, these school enrichment programs allow classroom teachers to:

• Stimulate students to further their interest in science, math, language arts and nutrition and healthy living
• Integrate exciting, hands-on learning activities without the added preparation time!
• Enhance student understanding of difficult concepts through a variety of hands-on activities, experiments and student ready materials

Some programs require a nominal supply fee. For order forms, call (580) 688-3584. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

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4-H Adult Volunteer Leader

• Who Are You?

  As a volunteer, you offer your time and expertise of your own free will, without expecting or receiving pay. Both young people and adults serve as volunteers. Your role in 4-H might include: Teen Leader, Organizational Leader, Project Leader, or Activity Leader.

   

  Your job is as diverse as needs require. However, the two most common roles are the Organizational Leader and the Project Leader. The Organizational Leader provides support, guidance, leadership and direction to 4-H members and leaders of various groups that are located in a common area, town or county. The Project Leader is the primary educator responsible for teaching skills and knowledge that are associated with specific groups, such as animal-related or life-skills, etc.

   

  As a 4-H Youth Development volunteer, you are highly valued by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and 4-H Youth Development program specialists and educators. You support our mission to help and teach others and to enhance personal growth. You bring us these vitally important qualities:

  • Belief that, as a human being, each young person has basic worth;
  • Commitment to the personal development of all youth;
  • Understanding that leadership can be rewarding to people of all ages;
  • Ability to relate to, and communicate with, young people, parents, and other volunteers.
• Volunteer Responsibilities

  Your leadership is critical if we are to succeed in our mission - to provide educational opportunities for youth to become capable and contributing members of a global society.

   

  Through your leadership and encouragement, young people will develop positive relationships with adults and other youth, build self-esteem and self-confidence, learn subject matter skills and develop wholesome attitudes toward self and others.

   

  We pride ourselves on ensuring the safety and well being of young people in a positive learning environment. We expect you, as a volunteer, to conduct yourself in a professional manner that reflects the integrity of the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program.

• Certification Requirements

  As a volunteer, you must complete an application screening process before you begin working with young people. The purpose for this process is three-fold:

  • To ensure a safe environment for youth involved in Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Youth Development programs;
  • To provide documentation of volunteer activities in Oklahoma 4-H programs and to strengthen liability coverage for volunteers under the State of Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act;
  • To assist in the selection, tracking and placement of volunteers in Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development programs.
    
    

  Completing the Volunteer application on 4-H online is the first step to becoming a 4-H volunteer. If you are interested in working with 4-H Youth as an organizational leader, a project club leader, a chaperone, or in any situation that is unsupervised by other parents or 4-H staff, you should complete the application.

   

  Upon completion of the application, a Volunteer Advisory Committee (VAC) chaired by the county extension educator will review it. The VAC may choose to conduct interviews and contact references. If you are accepted you must attend an orientation session and two introductory training's in your county. You must also agree to attend at least four training sessions in addition to signing a volunteer behavioral guidelines form (in order to maintain your status as a 4-H volunteer, you must complete the enrollment form and participate in four training sessions annually).

• Volunteer Benefits

  Are you wondering what you have to gain from becoming a 4-H volunteer?

   

  First of all, you have the opportunity for professional improvement and training through special state, regional, county and/or community workshops. But this is just part of the package. You also will grow as a person; you will have the satisfaction of making a difference in the lives of today's young people. You'll receive the gratitude and respect of members, their families and your community, which will help build your own self-esteem and self-confidence. And you may be amazed at the number of lasting friendships you will acquire.