FAQs
Everything you need to know about the 4-H program in Alberta is right here
Here you’ll find information on a wide range of topics as well as suggested resources. If your question is not answered below, please send 4-H Alberta a message and we would be happy to answer it, or forward it to the appropriate expert.
How do I become a member? Contact your closest 4‑H Specialist to find the club most suitable to you.
Who can become a member? Anyone between the ages of 9 and 20 (on or before December 31st of the current club year) can join 4‑H. No matter where you live, be it a farm, acreage, town or city, there is a 4‑H club near you.
What are the member requirements? Members are required to:
- Complete project records and have them signed by the club or project leader.
- Attend a minimum of 70% of club activities.
- Complete a communication activity that is:
- prepared by the member
- presented by the member in front of a group
- at least three minutes in length
- Be involved in a club activity that is a benefit to your community.
- Participate in the club’s achievement event. If the member’s project is unavailable (for example, a calf dies), the member is still expected to have some part in the achievement event.
How much does it cost to belong to 4‑H? Members pay an annual membership fee of $120 to support the ongoing creation of new projects, programming costs, insurance fees and volunteer training. Individual clubs or districts may charge additional fees for programs and events they provide.
What is the history of Alberta 4‑H? The first 4‑H Club was started near Olds, Alberta in 1917. Since then, 4‑H clubs have continued to form throughout the province and now can be found in more than 70% of Alberta communities. To view a timeline of important 4‑H events in our province, visit the about 4‑H section of our website and click on history.
What is the 4-H Motto? The 4-H motto is to:
“Learn to do by doing”
Learning through experience is a key objective of 4-H. At all levels of 4-H, members are encouraged to learn through active participation.
What is the 4-H Pledge? The 4‑H Pledge is:
I pledge
My HEAD to clearer thinking, My HEART to greater loyalty, My HANDS to larger service, And my HEALTH to better living, For my club, my community, my country and my world.
What do the four H’s stand for? The H’s stand for Head, Heart, Health and Hand.
What is a project? 4‑H projects are in-depth learning experiences for 4‑H members. At the beginning of each club year, each member chooses one or more project to work on throughout the year. A few examples of projects are: training pets, raising livestock, taking photos, building remote control airplanes or repairing computers.
How do I choose a project that is right for me? 4‑H has over 30 projects to meet your needs. Often times, we recommend trying different projects each year to gain a variety as skills as well as to identify areas that really suit your interests. We also have a creative options project that allows you to create your own project.
Where can I find project information online? Visit the resources section of our site and click on projects. However, you must be a registered member or leader to gain access to this area. To gain access, contact the 4-H Registrar.
Where can I find information about regional project rules and guidelines? Visit the regional information section on our site. Choose the region to which you belong and look for the heading project rules and guidelines.
Can I get school credits for my 4‑H project? Yes. To find out how 4‑H can be taken as a school credit, talk to your Principal or Counselor regarding Career and Technology Studies in your school.
How can I become a leader? Contact your closest 4‑H Specialist to find a club in your area. Once you have been in contact with a club, you must complete the 4‑H leader requirements. Leaders must be over the age of 18.
What are the leaders requirements? In order to ensure a safe environment in which young people can learn and grow, the 4-H Council of Alberta has an online screening process for all volunteers. This requires:
- Completion of a leader application form
- Submission of three references
- A criminal record check
- Successful completion of Leader Training session or Online Leader’s Quiz
How can I share ideas with other 4‑H volunteers? Check under events and click on calendar to learn about training sessions at the district, regional and provincial levels
Where can I find ideas for 4‑H ceremonies, songs, games and activities? Login to the resources section of our site and click on club. However, you must be a registered member or leader to gain access to this area. To gain access, contact the 4-H Registrar.
Where can I find ideas about effective club meetings? Login to the resources section of our site and click on club. However, you must be a registered member or leader to gain access to this area. To gain access, contact the 4-H Registrar.
Where can I find ideas about marketing and fundraising? Login to the resources section of our site and click on club. However, you must be a registered member or leader to gain access to this area. To gain access, contact the 4-H Registrar.
How can I find a 4‑H club near me? Try using the club finder, located under contact us, or contact your nearest 4‑H Specialist.
Why can’t I find local clubs in the telephone book? Clubs are lead by local volunteers. All initial calls are directed to the nearest 4‑H Specialist.
When do clubs organize? Most 4‑H clubs organize in the fall (typically between mid-September and December). Clubs end each year with Achievement Days where members exhibit their project work for the community (usually takes place in June or July).
How often does a club meet? Typically, clubs meet once or twice a month for members to share knowledge, socialize and build friendships. In addition, many clubs take part in community events and recreational activities.
How can I start a club? If there are no clubs in your area that do the project you are interested in, you can get information on how to start a new club by contacting your nearest 4‑H Specialist.
Where do I find information on regional and provincial programs and events? To find information and registration forms for regional and provincial 4‑H programs, visit our calendar of events and programs (located under Events), check out the 4‑H magazine.
Where do I find information on how to use Google Classroom in 4-H?
Where can I find information about exchanges with 4‑H clubs from other provinces? Contact Katelyn Strand, 4‑H Specialist.
Where can I find information on scholarships? The application form can be found on the scholarship page (located under For Members & Leaders). 4‑H distributes over $80,000 in the fall of each year to past and present Alberta 4‑H members attending post secondary schooling.
Where is the Alberta 4‑H Centre located? The Alberta 4‑H Centre is located at Battle Lake, about 1 hour southwest of Edmonton on Highway 13.
How do I book the facilities at the Alberta 4‑H Centre? Contact the 4‑H Foundation of Alberta.
Where can I buy 4‑H merchandise or gifts? Complete the souvenir order form, and mail, fax or phone it to the 4‑H Foundation of Alberta.
Does 4‑H have any employment opportunities available? 4‑H has 8-10 positions open each summer for post-secondary students interested in planning and implementing summer programs.
Check out our Career Opportunities section. As a means of creating a link between potential employers and present/past 4-H members, it provides the opportunity for sponsors and current job postings that may be of interest to the 4-H community.
Can I link our club webpage to this site? Yes. However, all sites must comply with our website protocols.
Are there guidelines for posting information on the site? In order to keep the web content relevant for users, we do have guidelines for posting information. Please view our website policy.
What are the rules for using the 4‑H name and emblem? You must obtain written consent must be obtained from the 4‑H Section, Government of Alberta before using the Canadian 4‑H logo (clover) for purposes other than educational, non-profit or media. The logo must not be altered.
Is there 4‑H clipart available online? Yes. Visit the downloads section of our site and click on projects. However, you must be a registered member or leader to gain access to this area. To gain access, contact the 4-H Registrar.
What type of insurance policy does 4‑H have in place? Our policy covers registered leaders, members and adult volunteers that assist with 4‑H activities. It provides coverage for general liability, lost income and accidental death and dismemberment.
- How does 4‑H’s Liability Insurance work?
- There must be property damage or injury to a person(s).
- The policy does not cover your injuries or damage to your property. The idea is to protect you from claims made by others.
- If you are legally responsible, you (the insurance company) must pay for the damages. You must not have intentionally caused the damage.
- If you meet these criteria and the loss is covered by the policy, the insurer will provide (and pay for) legal council as well as pay the final settlement amount up to a maximum of $5,000,000.Medical payments in excess of provincial health plans are also covered. Liability insurance does not replace automobile insurance. If you use your own vehicle on 4‑H business (including driving 4‑H members), your automobile policy will be the first to respond to an accident claim. To ensure that you have coverage when you need it, prior advise your insurance broker. It’s important that your insurance company has full information before any accident that might occur.
More information on the 4‑H insurance policy can be found in the Leader Guide.
Where can I get information about 4‑H on a national level, including national 4‑H policies? Contact the Canadian 4‑H Council.