How To Join 4-H

Extension 4-H youth development programs are open to all youth who are residents of Kansas between the date of their 7th birthday through December 31, of the year in which they turn 19. Some counties/districts may permit limited involvement for 5 and 6 year olds, according to local policy. Those young men and young women whose 19th birthday comes before January 1 of the 4-H year (October 1 to September 30 of the following calendar year) for which enrollment is made are ineligible to compete in county, state or national contests, awards, or recognition programs. Extension 4-H youth programs and materials are available without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex or disability.

Participating in some parts of the 4-H program may require enrollment or ownership deadlines. Those deadlines are to ensure that exhibits or presentations reflect knowledge and skills gained in 4-H project experience. They are not to keep boy and girls from joining and participating in other parts of 4-H at any time during the year. For example, ownership of and enrollment in a livestock project may be required by a certain date in order to exhibit at a fair/exposition/show; thus allowing sufficient time to demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge and master of skills in order to prepare an exhibit for evaluation. Entry dates may be set for Club Days or other activities, not only as a reasonable means for program management but to also assure sufficient time for preparation and master of subject matter by participants.

Finney County 4-H Enrollment

4-H enrollment will be underway in September. Forms will be passed out at the 4-H Club September meetings. The enrollment card will be a re-enrollment form with the listings of the 4-H members previous years information and projects. Please delete and add to the information for the coming 4-H year.

100 level - appropriate for younger members
200 level - some experience
300-400 level - teens and member, with more experience.

Please make sure your forms are completed properly. Enrollment cards are to be submitted to the Extension Office by December 1st, to insure that you will receive proper 4-H information.

Remember. . . . Individual Project Enrollment or Re-Enrollment Forms must be turned in to the main club leader. The main club leader will turn the whole club's enrollment in at one time. Do not send your individual enrollment form to the Extension office. The forms are submitted to the Extension Office from the 4-H Club Leaders.....

4-H Participation Form

The Kansas 4-H Participation Form is a necessary management tool for conducting 4-H events and activities. It is designed to be as simple as possible while providing the best possible risk management to protect all youth and adult participants as well as the 4-H and Extension Program.

The Kansas 4-H Participation Form is designed to be completed as part of the 4 H enrollment process for members. Original forms are to be filed in the local Extension Office. Adults are required to submit this form for state events and activities. Adults may submit their form in a sealed envelope.

Sections of the Kansas 4-H Participation Form include: participant’s demographic and contact information; emergency contacts' phone numbers (indicate Home, Work, or Cell); insurance information; health history and over-the-counter medication approval; releases for publicity and evaluations; the Kansas 4-H Code of Conduct (based on the CHARACTER COUNTS! Six Pillars of Character) which requires signatures from both youth and adult participants; and a signature area with releases required for participation in all Kansas 4-H events. This form does NOT need to be notarized.
Since the Kansas 4-H Participation Form is designed to be collected only once each year, it is the responsibility of participants or parents to accurately complete the form and make updates, changes, or replace their forms as necessary. Participants should be encouraged to review and update their forms before each major event or activity with special attention given to current medications, illnesses, or injuries.

Participants or parents are responsible for completing the Kansas 4-H Participation Form in its entirety. The K-State University Attorney's Office has indicated that "failure to complete this form in its entirety will result in the person being ineligible to participate in 4 H activities". If a line or section is not applicable it must be marked with "N/A" or some other indication that the participant did not skip or forget to provide the information. For example, if the family has no health insurance, a company name and policy number would not be applicable.

We have attempted to develop this as carefully and thoroughly as possible, but there is always room "to make the best better." So, as you work with this new form, please let the state 4-H office know if there is anything that can be improved in future revisions.