As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H offers youth, families, and adult volunteers of all ages many ways to engage, grow and serve through clubs, camps, contests, conferences, special interest groups, in-school and after-school programs, and more! It’s about young people making new friends and memories while preparing to be future leaders.

Platte County 4-H has a diverse community of youth building life skills, contributing to their community and becoming college and career ready.

4-H Community Clubs offer long-term educational experiences in which members learn life skills such as decision making, public speaking and working with others. Members learn by doing under the guidance of adult volunteers who teach projects ranging from computers science and arts to animal science and healthy living. Clubs also involve youth in community service, camping, and educational trips.

SPecial INterest Clubs focus on a specific topic led by an adult and youth expert in the field. These clubs meet for a set period (e.g. weekly or bi-weekly for 6-8 weeks) and may elect officers and plan learning activities with options of public speaking, community service and links to career readiness. Partnerships with local organizations like Northland Career Center, provide a variety of SPIN Clubs to Platte County R3 School District and area students. For more information go to https://northlandcareercenter.asapconnected.com.

4-H In-school and After-school Clubs provide extraordinary learning opportunities to school-age youth in urban, suburban and rural communities. 4-H In-school and After-school is designed to combine the resources of 4-H and the University of Missouri Extension system with schools and community-based organizations that provide after-school programs that address community needs.

4-H SNAC program provides youth ages 5-18 the opportunity to engage in healthy living advocacy, peer mentorship, and hands-on nutrition, cooking, physical activity, and leadership education in before, during and after-school programs. By forming a 4-H SNAC Club at your school, youth will gain skills in these areas to help them live healthier lives and receive assistance with the plan and implementation of an initiative to make changes in their own home, school, or larger community. These club projects can include, but are not limited to, proposed policy changes, such as snack guidelines in school; educational presentations for the community; or efforts to increase the availability of healthy items in a food pantry. Contact a 4-H Staff to inquire about how a 4-H SNAC program can be implemented in your learning environment.

Volunteer Resources

For more information, contact:

Justin Strickland (4-H Youth Development Specialist)
Delivery Mode: In-school and After-school
Email: justin.strickland@missouri.edu

Shianna Burgett (4-H Youth Development Specialist)
Delivery Mode: School Enrichment
Email: smbvmn@missouri.edu
Phone: 816-407-3490

Dylan Newman (4-H Youth Development Educator)
Delivery Mode: Community Clubs
Email: djnbh2@missouri.edu
Phone: 573-884-8508

MU Extension Office

Platte County 4-H opportunities

4-H clubs are open to ages 8 to 18. Clubs meet throughout the year 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. Check with your local County Extension office for county wide project offerings. If a project leader isn’t found easily found, often family members become the leader. Projects materials are available for most projects.

Platte City/Smithville Area — Hoover's Heroes. For current meeting location, date and time please contact leaders: Kristen Marshall at hooverheroes4h@gmail.com

Park Hill Area — Platte County Park Rangers. Second Monday of each month. For current meeting location, date and time, please contact leaders: parkrangers4h@gmail.com

Platte City/West Platte Area — Farley Jolly Workers. Second Tuesday of each month. For current meeting location, date and time please contact leaders: Laura Mullen at 816-536-7577 or yogimullen@gmail.com and Tracy Carlson at tracyhausman@hotmail.com

Horsemanship SPIN Club - Youth grow horsemanship skills through a variety of clinic and workshop opportunities. Contact 4-H Staff for more information.

Livestock SPIN Club - Focusing on all things livestock, youth explore their interest in animals and learn common animal care, showing techniques, and more. Meets monthly. Contact Alison Marx at alisonlmarx@yahoo.com.

Shooting Sports SPIN Club - Shooting Sports uses the disciplines of shooting and related activities to develop skills, obtain knowledge and promote positive youth-adult interaction. Contact Scott Wilkerson at swilkerson3@kc.rr.com.

As a responsible Platte County 4-Her, I understand that projects led on a countywide basis are special opportunities to learn.

I understand and accept the special responsibilities relating to this countywide project group.

I understand that volunteer leaders set the schedule, and it is my responsibility to attend and participate if I have enrolled with them.

To enroll in countywide projects, I understand:

  • I must directly contact the project leader to get enrolled with them before project begins.
  • I must put the project code on my enrollment form.
  • I must be a member in good standing to participate in countywide projects, shows, or fair (attend majority of club and project meetings).

My responsibility as a member of a countywide project:

  • Attend a majority of project meetings; project leaders will not remind members, unless there is a change.
  • Contact volunteer leader directly if unable to participate or will miss a meeting.
  • Get my own supplies or reimburse project leader as arranged.
  • Work on projects at home; I realize that NOT all work will be done at project meetings.
  • Help set-up and/or clean-up after each meeting.
  • Give project reports at my club meetings.
  • Exhibit at the county fair in this project.

About 4-H

4-H brings young people, ages 5 to 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 our community. Through 4-H, young people learn to meet the diverse challenges of today’s world, build self-confidence, learn responsibility and make positive decisions.

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.

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 and 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.

Joining 4-H is as easy as contacting your local extension office. 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.

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 ABOUT VOLUNTEERING

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