After School Programs (school-age care) involves youth outside of school hours usually in a school or other community center. It is supported by Extension through training the after-school staff, infusing curricula into the program and/or other significant support, such as conducting needs assessments, evaulations, and/or resource development. The primary purpose of this program is to provide care, developmental and educational experiences for youth while parents are working or unavailable.

School enrichment involves a sequence of learning experiences in cooperation with educational officials during school hours to support the curriculum. School enrichment programs involve direct teaching by extension staff or trained volunteers, including teachers.

Every year, thousands of kids come to 4-H Camp at Rock Springs Ranch. They unplug, explore, play and learn the kinds of lessons that can last a lifetime. Campers grow socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. Many make friends for life. It’s also just plain FUN!

The values of 4-H are at the core of Rock Springs Ranch and they guide all of our programming. We believe the lessons learned here can create a foundation for success that will last far beyond their visit. But you don’t have to be a 4-H member to come to camp at Rock Springs! Everyone is welcome, regardless of 4-H membership!

Visit Rock Springs Ranch if you’d like to learn more about sessions, dates, rates and the 4-H Camp experience!

The overall purpose of the 4-H Cloverbuds program is to foster the development of life skills that are essential for the cognitive, social, emotional and physical maturation of five-and six-year olds by providing a unique educational opportunity. Cloverbud programs focus on fun, noncompetitive, group-centered learning.

Goals for Kansas 4-H Cloverbuds

• Self-understanding skills (Initiating independence and self-direction)
• Social skills (Getting along with others)
• Decision-making skills (Making positive choices)
• Learning skills (Learning to learn)
• Mastering physical skills (Enjoying constructive and creative play)

Kansas 4-H offers a variety of club formats and options to best fit their community and participants.

Community Clubs

• • The 4-H Community Club structure is intended to be a flexible learning community.

After School Clubs

• • After School Programs (school-age care) involves youth outside of school hours usually in a school or other community center.

Project-Based Clubs

• • Project clubs are organized around a specific subject matter area (e.g. robotics, shooting sports, rabbits, dogs, etc.) and provide a long-term, progressive series of educational experiences.

Military Clubs

• • Military 4-H clubs are organized by the armed forces, often on military installations, and principally for military dependents.

Minimum Standards

• Be led/advised by two or more screened and board approved adult volunteers
• Enroll at least five youth members from at least three families
• Emphasizes project exploration, leadership, and civic engagement
• Conduct a minimum of six regular educational experiences per year
• Gatherings include but are not limited to business meetings, project meetings, service-learning opportunities, and other 4-H learning activities
• Democratically elect youth leaders to provide direction to the club with shared youth leadership opportunities with shared decision-making, with agreed-upon rules or bylaws
• Keep meeting, project, and financial records and submit required reports
• Follow state and local 4-H Policy
• 4-H Charter

Helpful Links

• 4-H Clubs Near You
• Starting New Clubs
• 4-H Club Corner
• 4-H Clover Classroom
• Kansas 4-H Policy Guide

Kansas 4-H believes that participation in an Organized 4-H Club is the preferred method of involvement for members, but acknowledges there are sometimes extenuating circumstances that may make Independent 4-H Membership a viable way to still engage in 4-H Youth Development learning.

This mode of learning that occurs independently of a formal group setting. It might be individual, in a pair, or a family learning effort. It includes self-directed learning, usually with limited adult involvement except for parents (or a mentor). Examples include self-study, home study courses, advanced placement courses, mentoring or shadowing with an “expert,” or entire families learning together.

Any youth who wishes to be an Independent 4-H Member must complete an Individualized Study Agreement, which must be reviewed and approved.

Helpful Links

• Independent Member Study Agreement Form
• Adult Mentor Role Description
• Kansas 4-H Policy Guide
• 4-H Club Corner
• 4-H Clover Classroom

4-H SPIN Clubs involve groups of youth meeting for a specific learning experience that involves direct teaching by extension staff or trained volunteers, including teachers.

The program is not part of a school curriculum and is not restricted to members of 4-H clubs. Groups might include military youth not in military clubs or SPIN (Special Interest) programs. These programs are designed to be short in duration.

Kansas 4-H Project Partnership Teams

Kansas 4-H Project Partnership Teams serve to bring youth, volunteers, and K-State Research and Extension staff together to plan and conduct educational state 4-H programs, events and activities.

Youth Leadership Council

Kansas 4-H Youth Leadership Council provides leadership development opportunities for teens and helps plan and organize multiple state 4-H events and programs annually.

Ambassadors

4-H Ambassador programs require a sincere desire to promote 4-H, willingness to interact with the general public, interest in improving communication skills, willingness to speak in front of groups and a commitment of your time and energy.

Kansas 4-H Exchange Programs are truly "learn by doing" experiences in global citizenship. Kansas 4-H Exchange Programs are conducted by Kansas 4-H Youth Development and K-State Research and Extension.

Helpful Links

• Global Citizen Opportunities - Programs and Information
• International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) Programs

• States' 4-H International Exchange Program