To begin your 4-H adventure, start looking at the many project areas that 4-H has to offer. You may choose one or more projects from more than 45 different areas. There is a 4-H project for everyone! Projects are fun to do alone and with your friends. The video shown above shows many of the 4-H exhibits featured at the Iowa State Fair.
Think about:
- An interest you’d like to explore
- A hobby you’d like to learn more about
- A topic of interest shared by you and your family
- Something that is fun for you
Remember to select projects that you can get help from your:
- parents/guardian
- grandparents
- friends
- other 4-H members
Work with your parents/guardian and leader to select your 4-H projects. Let’s say you want to learn how to take a photograph, feed a dog, build a birdhouse, or plant a garden. When you learn those skills, you also learn life skills such as:
- how to make decisions
- how to get organized
- how to keep records
- how to work with others
The other part of the 4-H experience is club meetings, where you learn:
- how to be a group member
- how to speak in front of a group
- how to work together on projects
4-H is full of fun times to work and play with others, including community service projects, club trips and activities, and camps.
All these skills can help you as you go through school and beyond. For many 4-H’ers, an interest they have in certain 4-H project areas will lead to future careers.
Start by finding 4-H project areas that are of interest to you. The contact your county ISU Extension Office to become enrolled in the project areas. Then start using your creativity to explore new ideas and create new projects.