4-H CLUBS

Contact

Megan Tifft
4-H Youth Development Team Coordinator
(607) 272-2292 ext 138
met38@cornell.edu

Cornell Cooperative Extension
Tompkins County
615 Willow Avenue
Ithaca, NY 14850-3555
(607) 272-2292
tompkins@cornell.edu

What is a 4-H Club?

What is a 4-H Club?
A 4-H club is a group of five or more youth supported by one or more screened and trained adult volunteers.  A club has a planned program that takes place all or most of the year, and can meet in any location.  4-H clubs are organized and supported to provide long-term positive, structured learning opportunities that develop life skills through experiential learning. 4-H members have the opportunity to develop positive relationships with caring and committed non-parental adults during the most formative years of growth.

4-H Study

4-H'ers Excel in School and the Sciences
"The advantages of 4-H participation also include higher educational achievement and higher motivation for future education.  Young people in 4-H:
*Report better grades, higher levels of academic competence, and an elevated level of engagement at school,
*Are nearly two times more likely to plan to go to college,
*Are more likely to pursue future courses or a career in science, engineering, or computer technology.

"The study also finds that girls in 4-H are more than twice as likely to participate in science, engineering, or computer technology programs than their peers.

www.4-H.org/about/youth-development-research

Home » Youth » 4-H Clubs

Find a 4-H Club that's just right for you!

4-H Clubs provide a wide variety of opportunities for young people aged 5-to-19.  More than 300 youth are enrolled in our 4-H Club program, in groups that are as varied as your imagination. Members of 4-H clubs are learning about environmental issues, veterinary medicine, science, engineering and technology (SET),  sewing skills, healthy lifestyles, and more, and having fun while they do!

If youth have a hobby or interest that they would like to explore, and enjoy being with friends, join a 4-H club where members learn something new while having fun, improving communication and leadership skills, and serving their community.  If there isn't already a 4-H club that meets your needs, our 4-H staff can help a parent or adult volunteer organize and support a club.

Tompkins County 4-H Club Opportunities:

 4-H Cultural Exchange Club:  "4-H Takes You Places" is the motto for this club!  This is a two year program - members travel to a new destination one year, and host their new friends the other year.  New programs start on even years.  Monthly business meetings provide leadership and social opportunities for members.  The club also provides fundraising opportunities for members to earn the money necessary for the program (approximately $400 - 500 per year).  If you are 13 years or older and love to travel, make new friends and see new places - this is the club for you!     If interested in learning more about this club contact Lorraine Bard, 279-4707, 273-2613, or email her at wildmtmama@hotmail.com

4-H20 Monitors:  This club if for the young person, 8 and over, who is excited to learn about the environment and gain valuable knowledge and skills in science.  The Community Science Institute (CSI) provides technical support and access to equipment.  Members learn about water quality, water habitat, and practice testing water for different qualities.  Testing and documenting results for a specific section of the Cayuga Lake inlet is part of the clubs community service.  Data collected is used by CSI.  If interested in learning more about this club contact Jan Liotta at 423-3207, or email at jll55@cornell.edu

 4-H Jr. Tailwaggers:  This club is for youth interested in training dogs and community service.  Members have the opportunity to engage in the 4-H Youth Fair as well as the New York State Fair.  The club also sponsors the Chili Cook-off every year at the    4-H Youth Fair.  Currently there are 32 members, aged 8 to 18.  Meetings are held once a week either at the Cornell Livestock Pavilion or 4-H Acres.   If interested in learning more about this club, call Cindy Wagner at (607) 351-1744 or email her at cw14@cornell.edu.

Alpine Aces:  Organized in 2010, this club is for youth interested in robotics, environmental science, family & consumer science, and other topics.  Currently there are 5 members, aged 6-17.  Meetings are held once a month in Alpine, NY.   If interested in learning more about this club, email or call Liz Delaney at ecaart@yahoo.com, (607)594-7134.

Caroline Coyotes:  This club was organized in 2009 for youth who are interested in community service.  Activities include cookie baking, gardening, rocketry and raising swine to provide fresh produce and meat for the Brooktondale food pantry.  Currently there are 6 members aged 5 to 9.   If interested in learning more about this club, call Laura Burrows at (607) 330-1160 or email her at Llb1@cornell.edu.

Dryden Dragonflies:  Started in 2010, this club is active in a variety of project areas, with an emphasis on community service.  Monthly meetings are generally held at 4-H Acres.  Members range in age from 5 - 15 years and past projects have included cooking, crafts, Legos, public presentations and photography.   If interested in learning more about this club, contact Julie Young, 257-0547, or email her at alfredyoungs@yahoo.com or Betsy Lampman,      844-8835.

Finger Lake Livestock League:  This club is for youth who are interested in learning how to care for, manage and show animals.  In addition, the club is looking to expand and do more fundraising, crafts and trips.  Currently there are 6 members aged 8-19.  Meetings are held at 4-H Acres, Cornell Cooperative Extension Education Center, or at different farms.   If interested in learning more about this club, call Cathy Holden at (607) 564-7536 or email her at blueeyes527@yahoo.com.

Fur-n-Feathers:  This club was organized back in the 1970s and is for youth who are interested in community service.  In addition, Fur-n-Feathers host the annual Ice Cream Social at the 4-H Youth Fair.  Currently there are 28 members, aged 5-18.  Meetings are held once or twice a month at Cornell's Riley Rob Hall, 4-H Acres or at someone's house.   If interested in learning more about this club, call Jacquie Lopez at (607) 272-3763 or email her at jm119@cornell.edu.

Hill and Dale:  This club was organized in 1966 and is open to youth who are interested in just about anything, from robotics and rockets to orienteering and cycling tocooking and sewing.  Every spring the club goes on a three day bike trip.  In addition, several overnights are held throughout the year.  Hill and Dale hosts a pie bee, making apple pies which are then sold at local apple festival.  Hill and Dale is active in 4-H public presentations, Youth Fair, Duck Race, and the state fair.  Currently there are 20 members aged 6 to 18 and ample opportunities for youth leadership.  Meetings are held once a week at the Brooktondale Community Center.   If interested in learning more about this club, call Susan Barr at (607) 539-6524 or email her at koaeula@gmail.com.

Little Bunny Foo Foos:  This club is for youth who are interested in learning about rabbit health and care, as well as getting involved in community events.  There are currently 4 members, aged 10 to 14.  The club meets once a month in the Cornell Cooperative Extension Education Center.   If interested in learning more about this club, call Gail Kaiser at (607) 564-9078.  NOTE:  This club is open to youth 8 years old and up.

The Namaste Friends 4-H Club is a general interest club with current members between the ages of 5 and 12 years old. They cover a variety a topic areas at general monthly meetings and encourage older members to pursue topics that interest them in-depth either working independently, through supplemental small group meetings, or with other members and clubs in the county. The club meets at the Namaste Montessori Elementary School in Jacksonville one Saturday afternoon a month in addition to other special scheduled project meetings. Project areas they have explored include Plant Sciences, Bats, Sewing, Electricity, Fishing, Public Presentations, Pottery, Embryology, Goats, Bike Safety, Native Birds, Pond Life, and more. Namaste Freinds is currently looking for adults interested in becoming special project leaders or general co-leaders. For information about this club you can contact Bridgid Beames at NamasteMontessoriSchool@yahoo.com

New Cloverbud Club:  This club is so new it doesn't even have a name yet!  Members, ages 5 - 8 years old, will engage in a variety of activities from exploring the outdoors, to animals and crafts.  Meetings will be held two times a month in the Lansing area.  If you would like to learn more about this "up and coming" club, contact Valerie McAllister-Pratt at 533-9134, or by email at vmp44@hotmail.com

Newfield Renegades:  This club is for the young person who is interested in competitive horse riding events.  Youth must be at least 8 years of age; current members are 12 -18 years old.  Club activities include leadership opportunities in planning horse clinics and shows, stable management, proper riding equipment/tack/attire and basic horsemanship skills.  If interested in learning more about this club, contact Serena Morse, 279-5812, or email her at valleyviewfarm@ymail.com to find out more information.

Newfield Trailblazers:  This club is for youth interested in horses.  Activities include trail rides, horse shows and clinics, as well as community service and fund raisers.  Meetings are held twice a month at Carol Cook's farm.
If interested in learning more about this club, call Carol Cook at (607) 564-9375 or email her at cbc10huges.net.

Nightmares:  This club was organized in 2004 for youth who are interested in horses.  Activities include a Fun Show, Horsebowl and Hippology.  Currently there are 4-5 members aged 12 and over.  Meetings are held monthly at either 4-H acres or Cornell Cooperative Extension Education Center.   If interested in learning more about this club, call David Hagstorm at (607) 533-4242 or email him at dhagstro@twncy.rr.com.

NOTE:  Tompkins County 4-H club membership fee=$10/youth/year.

If you would like to provide positive opportunities to youth in your area, consider becoming a new club leader in your community.  4-H staff provides orientation, on-going training, access to resources and help you build connections to other leaders.  Contact Brenda Carpenter, btc6@cornell.edu

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

See More...

The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development

4-H Helps Young People Excel Beyond Their Peers

"The structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that young people receive through their participation in 4-H plays a vital role in helping them achieve future life successes."

"Longitudinal study has discovered that, when compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H have higher educational achievement and higher motivation for future education.  In addition, youth in 4-H are more civically active and make more civic contributions to their communities than youth in other out-of-school programs."

www.4-H.org/about/youth-development-research

4-H Youth Are Making Healthy Choices

4-H Makes A Difference
"The skills I gained through 4-H helped me to get my first full-time position at a child-care center.  Just a few of these crucial skills are communication, dedication, compassion for myself, others and my world."
~Laura Durfee, 4-H Almuni*56% more likely to spend more hours exercising or being physically active
*Shown to have had significantly lower drug, alcohol and cigarette use than their peers.

www.4-H.org/about/youth-development-research