Cape Girardeau County

Missouri 4-H empowers young people to reach their full potential.

4-H brings young people ages 5–18 and adults together to learn everyday skills through hands-on learning. Working on activities from animal and plant sciences to robotics, 4-H'ers learn problem-solving skills that can make a positive impact upon their communities. Through 4-H, young people learn to:

• Meet the diverse challenges of today's world
• Build self-confidence
• Learn responsibility
• Make positive decisions

Read more to discover how to become involved in 4-H.

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  4-H clubs

  4-H clubs are open to ages 8 to 18. Clubs meet monthly for group activities and club business. Each club elects officers and has an approved adult leader who supervises club activities. Club members also enroll in projects in their areas of interest.

  With projects on more than 75 topics, 4-H has something to interest every child. Here are just a few of the opportunities 4-H offers — geocaching, robotics, international exchanges, horsemanship, pets, starting a business, arts and crafts, raising animals, woodworking, photography and gardening.

  Cape Girardeau County 4-H clubs include:

  • The Arnsberg 4-H Club, which meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at Trinity Lutheran Hall in Friedheim.
  • The Clever Minds 4-H Club, which meets at 9 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month at various locations.
  • The Daisy 4-H Club, which meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at the Daisy Coon Hunters Building in Daisy.
  • The Delta 4-H Club, which meets at 7 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month at Bethlehem General Baptist Church in Crump.
  • The Fruitland 4-H Club , which meets at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at the Fruitland Community Church in Fruitland.
  • The Helping Hands 4-H Club, which meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of every month at Fruitland Community Church in Fruitland.
  • The Pocahontas 4-H Club, which meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of every month at St. John's Lutheran Church Hall in Pocahontas.
  • The Progressive 4-H Club, which meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of every month at Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson.
  • The Tilsit 4-H Club, which meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit.
  • The Discovery Club, which meets at 2 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at the 4-H Building in Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.
  • The Young Americans 4-H Club, which meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at Grace Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.
  • The Clover Kids (county-wide), which meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.in the lower level of the MU Extension Center in Jackson.
  • The Cape County Jr. Leaders , which meets on the fourth Monday of every month at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the MU Extension Center in Jackson.

  If you would like to join a club or become a volunteer leader, call the Cape Girardeau Extension Center at 573-243-3581 or contact Marsha Birk, 4-H Youth Program Associate, at [email protected]

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  Clover Kids clubs

  Clover Kids introduces 5- to 7-year-olds to the 4-H experience. In Clover Kids, children learn how to get along with others, work in groups, explore their interests, while building self-confidence. Clover Kids do not enroll in projects or raise animals, and do not participate in competitive events, contests or shows.

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  How to join

  Joining 4-H is as easy as contacting the extension center. A staff member will explain the enrollment process and membership dues. In addition to dues, some projects may require a small investment to get started, and there may be a fee for materials, trips or other activities.

  Young people are welcome to join at any time. The 4-H program year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. Certain activities may have participation deadlines.

  Contact Cape Girardeau County Extension Center

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  Be a 4-H volunteer

  Adult volunteers are essential to 4-H. Adult volunteers serve as club or project leaders, help with county or regional events, chair committees and organize fundraisers. You don't have to be a parent or grandparent of the 4-H member to get involved. All volunteers are screened for child abuse and neglect, as well criminal records, before they are accepted and each year thereafter. As a volunteer, University of Missouri Extension will provide you with training so you will be well-prepared and successful as an adult leader. The orientation includes information on 4-H history and the educational framework, the characteristics of age groups, character development and safety.

  Learn more