4-H Clubs

4-H Clubs provide a wide variety of opportunities for young people age 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 having fun in the process!

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.

Why 4-H Clubs?

Inspire Kids to Do Activity Guide

Tompkins County 4-H Club Opportunities:

Covid-19 has affected virtually all aspects of everyday life – and has had a major impact on how we offer 4-H programs.Research has shown that children and adolescents will be affected by the pandemic in ways that will mark the course of their life-long development.Research has also revealed the incredible resiliency young people possess, especially when provided adequate support.

4-H continues to evolve and adapt programming to support the ever-changing needs of young people.4-H clubs are uniquely positioned to address and mitigate Covid-19 impacts on youth by focusing on building youth assets and providing supportive environments and relationships.

4-H club leaders receive special training on safety protocols and best practices to provide in-person meetings. Leaders will make decisions, based on activity, number of youth, space and meeting environment, to offer in-person meetings or creative and fun zoom opportunities. Parents may be asked to stay with their child/ren during in-person meetings to help enforce safety measures.

At this time, most 4-H clubs are accepting new members while in-person meetings are on hold. Please contact the identified leader of each club to learn more about their meeting status.

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PRIOR TO REGISTERING FOR A CLUB: You MUST connect with the club leader or VendaMae Harris at vmt5@cornell.edu to arrange a one time club visit prior to enrollment. Club leader emails can be found below with the description of each club.

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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 over 30 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, contact Melissa LoPinto at goldenrodsighthound@gmail.com and Jacob Ragusa at j.a.goose96@gmail.com.

Giddy Goats - Club is Temporarily on Hold: This is an Ag club where we learn about goat husbandry and fiber via hands on activities. We meet once a month to learn to care for and bout fiber goats and the fleeces. We learn how to process fleeces from shearing to washing to spinning and knitting. For more information please contact Lisa Ferguson, 607-351-7361, lisa@laughinggoatfiber.com

Little Bunny Foo Foos: This club is for youth who are interested in learning about all aspects of rabbit use, health and care, as well as getting involved in community events to promote remarkable rabbits! The club meets once a month generally at the 4-H Acres, to learn about the different rabbit topics, evaluate show rabbits, practice rabbit hopping, play games and make crafts. Often members will bring some of their rabbits to the meeting. If interested in learning more about rabbits, having fun, developing friendships and giving back to the community contact Jason Cuykendall at jason@redbarns.net or Beth Rhoades at err23@cornell.edu.

Milk Duds and Jolly Ranchers: Youth 8 – 18 years of age are welcome to check us out as we learn about farm animals and agriculture. Members cannot join this club without first talking with Brenda. Monthly meetings will provide a variety of experiences including hands on activities, educational programs, guest speakers and local tours. Members will be encouraged to get involved in county wide 4-H activities. Parents are expected to attend meetings and facilitate their child(ren’s) participation. There is no cost to join the Milk Duds/Jolly Ranchers, but participation in our fundraising activities is expected. Contact Brenda Carpenter at btc62020@outlook.com for more information and before joining this club.

Namaste Friends: THIS CLUB IS FULL-This is a general interest club with current members between the ages of 5 and 15 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. Project areas they have explored include Plant Sciences, Bats, Sewing, Electricity, Fishing, Public Presentations, Pottery, Embryology, Goats, Bike Safety, Native Birds, Pond Life, wood working, photography, food science and more. The group studies "Entrepreneurship" and run their own micro businesses. Namaste Friends is currently looking for adults interested in becoming special project leaders or general co-leaders. We are sorry, but this club is fully enrolled this year. Please contact Bridgid Beames, bridgid.namaste@gmail.com for more information.

Sweets and Treats 4-H Club: Club is limited to 10 members. Welcome bakers, and anyone who wants to learn how to bake! Are you interested in learning new baking skills and techniques or just interested in getting together with other to share recipes and baking experience? We will learn how to make bread, cookies, cakes, pies, pretzels,. and other yummy treats! The club meets twice a month in the Teaching Kitchen at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County in Ithaca. Bring your aprons and prepare to create something delicious and have a ton of fun! For youth 7-15 years of age. Contact Gabby at gabby70707@gmail.com for more information.

Cooking Buds - Club is Temporarily on Hold: Do you have a “budding chef”? This 4-H club plans to meet once a month – either in-person or via zoom and is for youth 5 – 8 years old; members learn how to create fun savory dishes and enjoy craft activities related to food; contact Vendamae vmt5@cornell.edu for more information

Botany Besties: We are the 4-H Botany Besties engaging youth ages 8-18.We have fun learning about plant and environmental science through workshops, field trips, experiments and community service projects, all while meeting and making new friends! In this club, we try to incorporate kids' ideas and inspirations. Our goal is to help kids manage their world better by giving them a safe place to learn, discover, and meet new friends. We hope to offer the members a way to think about their world as a livable and kind place. Here, with the 4-H Botany Besties, members have the power to mold and improve their world. We strengthen the members' spirits in becoming more confident leaders, feeling good about who they are, and offering the members hope of a bright and beautiful future. Let's get thinking! Contact Joann Gruttadaurio at jg17@cornell.edu or Wendy Sthokal at wsthokal@gmail.com. Or visit our member influenced website: alfilo.github.io/botany-besties.

S-TEAM- Club is Temporarily on Hold: The club will meet once per month for 1-2 hours; at the 4-H Acres; Open to all youth, ages 8 to 18; our club’s goals are to build team skills, inspire kids to explore STEM, foster friendships, stimulate problem-solving & creative thinking. Meetings will entail activities led by local scientists or engineers and may include Plant science and DNA extraction, Engineering challenges for ALL ages (physics, building, circuitry), Fun technology projects (coding, nano technology, basic robots), and other ideas that the kids request! For more information contact Beth Rhoades, err23@cornell.edu

Raptor 4-H Club: Meet the Wingmen and Women of the new Raptor 4H Club! Come talk about hawks, howl for owls, and learn about falcons' gift for swift in our educational programs through Cornell Raptor Program while participating in hands-on activities and learning about husbandry for birds of prey! If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Heather Huson at hjh3@cornell.edu

NOTE: Contact clubs for membership fees information.

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.