4-H Mission

The 4-H Youth Development Program provides Oklahoma youth, families and communities with educational programs that create environments for diverse audiences of youth and adults to reach their fullest potential.

 

In support of this mission we:

• Provide community based experiential learning through clubs, school enrichment, special interest programs and mass media.
• Help youth develop skills that will benefit them throughout life.
• Foster leadership and volunteerism for youth and adults.
• Strengthen families and communities.

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Newsletters

 

2025

January 2025

 

2024

• December 2024
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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 Tulsa County, call (918) 746-3709. That's the 4-H Youth Development division of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service in Tulsa County. A 4-H extension educator will tell you which club is closest to you 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.

• How often does 4-H meet?

  Some clubs meet once a week while others meet once a month. Some groups meet to learn about one project for several hours at a time. Depending on your schedule, needs and interests, 4-H has something for you.

• What else happens in 4-H?

  In addition to club meetings, codistrict wide strict wide 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 a cost for 4-H?

  A $20 per year 4-H Program Fee will be applied to all members who are 5 to 19 years of age,cloverbuds 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 Extension Service in Tulsa County at (918) 746 - 3709. Or, stop by the office (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) at 4116 E. 15th Street in Tulsa.

• 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 Gallaherhip.
  • 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 rKVOO 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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Tulsa County 4-H Record Books

• County Record Book Guidelines
  • County Record Book Instruction Guide
  • 4-H Evaluation Sheet for County Project Medals
• Guidelines for 4-H Record Book Project Photo Section

  This section is optional for a Bronze Project Medal.

   

  • 1 - 3 pages REQUIRED for Silver or Gold
  • Pictures on FRONT SIDE ONLY.
  • Include captions for each picture.
  • Suggested number of pictures per page is 3 or 4.
  • Do not shingle pictures.
  • Do not cover pictures with plastic.
  • Use rubber cement or photo adhesive to mount pictures. You may color copy pictures or print pictures electronically in place of actual photos glued to a page.

  Pictures should show you doing 4-H work in leadership and citizenship activities in your main project area you are reporting on. Photos should show you in action. Photos need to document the project, show growth. And most importantly “seeing is believing.”

   

  No newspaper articles, certificates, or other types of documentation should be included. NO Artwork, stickers, etc.

• Guidelines for Writing Your 4-H Story
  • ½ pGatesignIRED for Gatesign (Completing a record for 1st time)
  • 1 - 3 pages REQUIRED for: Participation, Bronze, Silver, or Gold.

   

  You may hand-writeup to three pages on notebook paper, or you may type up to three pages, double-spaced. Use a font size of 12 point or larger for typed stories. Paper should be 8½ x 11. Paper margins must be 1½ inches to the left and top, and 1 inch to the right and bottom. Have fun with your story!

   

  • Part I is the Introduction: Tell who you are. How old are you? Who are your parents? Do you have any brothers or sisters? Where do you live? Where do you go to school? How did you find out about 4-H? What are some of your favorite things to do? Add anything else you think would be interesting about you.

  • Part II is the Body: Tell about the project or projects you reported on in the project report form. Describe the projects you reported on. How did you learn about this project? What other experiences helped you? How did your project work improve, increase, impress, etc.? Include club experiences too! What are some things you tried successfully or unsuccessfully? What did you do about it?

  • Part III is the Summary: Explain how your 4-H work has helped with other things you do. How has your 4-H work helped make a positive difference in you home, school, or community? Tell about special activities you did during the year. What are your plans for the future either in 4-H or other life goals?
• Record Book and Story Forms
  • 4-H Story
  • Record Book Packet
• Award, Scholarship and Sponsorship Forms
  • 4-H Trips
  • Special Awards - Junior
  • Special Awards and Scholarships - Intermediate and Senior
  • Lois Olzawski Volunteer Service Award
• Cloverbud
  • Cloverbud Record Sheet
  • Cloverbud Activity Book Coverpage

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Find a Club

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4-H Urban Programs

As part of Oklahoma 4-H, Urban 4-H serves youth living in Tulsa and Broken Arrow. Urban 4-H programs are based on research findings and best practices for urban youth and young people living in "at-risk" conditions. Youth can participate through clubs, after-school programs, and Broken Arrow Tribal Programs. In addition, the Urban 4-H Program administers the 4-H Chick Embryo project is a classroom-based science project open to all youth in Tulsa County. This project is ideal for Life Science Classes.

 

The Urban 4-H program partners with other youth-serving organizations to build sustainable programs that meet the unique needs of urban youth. Our partners receive access to Oklahoma State University resources such as curriculum, program assessment and support, professional development and the traditional club program in Tulsa County.

 

To find out about 4-H in Tulsa or Broken Arrow, contact Kim Arnold at (918) 746-3723 or kimsutterfield.arnold@okstate.edu.

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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 (918) 746-3709. 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 chaperone 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.