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York 4-H Association

Want to learn by doing? Meet new people? Develop valuable leadership skills? York 4-H is the association for you! Participants, from ages 6 – 21, take part in a variety of clubs across York Region run by passionate and creative volunteers. Clubs in York include many different livestock, life skills and special interest topics.

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Welcome to York 4-H! We are excited to welcome you to our 4-H Community and help you learn more about our association.

York 4-H 2024 Club Descriptions

Cloverbuds (ages 6 to 8) *YORK 4-H CLOVERBUDS is full for 2024* Waitlist ONLY*

The Cloverbud Program is an amazing opportunity for youth ages 6-8 to learn about all facets of 4-H Projects! This exciting club is a hands-on, activity-based program that covers a wide variety of topics, including agriculture, food, crafts, life skills, environment and science.By participating in the Cloverbud Program, participants are able to get a taste for the topics covered in 4-H Projects while developing an understanding of 4-H values.

The following clubs are for members ages 9 -21 (as of January 1st) 

Dairy

Dairy: it’s more than milk! This club will teach you the ins and outs of a successful dairy operation, covering the basics like animal care, plus the latest dairy farming tools and practices.  Senior Members will have the opportunity to train and show a Dairy calf. Junior Members get hands-on experiences that will give them the background that they will need to train and show their own project calf when they are older.

Sheep

If you have an interest in the lamb or sheep industry, ewe will love the Sheep Club! We’ll cover everything to do with raising and showing healthy sheep like health, nutrition, breeding, lambing, selection, housing, marketing and more. You’ll also learn how to show and judge sheep.

Goat *GOAT CLUB is FULL for 2024* Waitlist only

The happy, healthy goat is an extremely popular farm animal. Learn about all they offer and how to take care of them in the Goat Club! In this club you will learn how to differentiate the many breeds of goats, the basics of their health and nutrition and useful information about the variety of products goats offer and how to use them.  Goat Club Members will have the opportunity to show a goat at a local fair. 

Rabbit

This club covers anything and everything you may want to know about raising and showing our fuzzy friends, rabbits! Rabbits make great pets but sometimes get overlooked. In the Rabbit Club, you’ll learn how to choose the right breed for you, as well as how to feed and exhibit rabbits. Handling rabbits, watching them grow and learning how to care for them is what this club is all about. This year the rabbit club will be focusing on both showmanship and confirmation (the showing of the rabbit). We are hoping to show at two fairs this year and visit another. There is lots to learn about showing a rabbit and the proper handling of the animal. There’s always a rabbit to cuddle! No need to have your own rabbit to join the club.

Cavy (Guinea Pig)

In The Cavy Club we will develop pride and responsibility associated with owning animals.  We will acquire an understanding of cavy breeding and management practices, and acquire skill in executing them by owning, caring for and keeping records of cavies. This club will help to  develop skill, patience and understanding in handling animals and increase knowledge of safety precautions for people and animals.

Sewing

We’re diving into the wonderful world of sewing and you’re invited! In this club, you’ll learn: the many functions of modern sewing machines, how to choose the right fabric, how to mark, measure and cut different fabrics, and stitch techniques. Sew much fun!

Quilting

Experts say the art of quilting is over 5,000 years old. This time-honoured tradition still flourishes today and is one of the best ways to show skill, creativity and planning all at once. Creating a big, beautiful quilt may seem intimidating, but we’ll start with the basics and give you the skills you need to eventually make whatever quilted piece your mind can dream up!

Ontario’s Tasty Fruits and Veggies

Everyone knows fruits and vegetables are nutritious, so we’re here to show you just how delicious they can be as well. We’ll use locally grown Ontario produce to explore the many ways these fruits and veggies can be prepared and eaten. From cooking, to canning, to freezing – you’ll walk away with a new understanding of the versatility of Ontario crops. We will be visiting local farms to do our very own picking/ harvesting right out in the fields/orchards! We will also be learning how to pickle and how to make jam! So come join us if you’d like to learn more about where your food comes from.

Cheesemaking

Do you love cheese?  Don’t miss out on your chance to learn more about these Dairy delicacies.  Members will have the opportunity to make their own cheese!  

Breakfast Bonanza (online)

Breakfast is a meal where it’s easy to eat the same thing every day. But that can be boring! You deserve more from your breakfast so join the Breakfast Bonanza Project to create meals worth waking up for. Whether your goal is something quick, healthy, filling or all three, we’ll teach you about foods that make great breakfast additions.

Independent Project

Want to complete a club but have a hard time making it to meetings?  Did you know that York 4-H has some self directed clubs that can earn you club achievement?  All you need is your computer and some creativity!  Current independent projects include: Photography, breadmaking and Cookie Jar.  If you have an interest and want to pursue an independent project, let us know!

Outdoor Living (ages 14 to 21)

Explore the great outdoors and learn some useful outdoor skills.  This club includes a two night stay at YMCA Camp Pinecrest in Torrance, ON.  There will be a cost of approx $250/person which includes accommodation, programming and all meals.  Activities may include: survival skills such as fire building and shelter building, orienteering, canoeing, swimming, high ropes and campfire. Girls will share one cabin and boys will share another cabin. 

Camp date : June 7 – 9th

Learn about an available project near you

WHAT IS 4-H?

4-H is a grassroots organization of leaders building leaders. 4-H can be found all over the world and is based on the “Learn To Do By Doing” philosophy. The four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Health, and Hands.

4-H participants range from ages 9-21 and the Cloverbud Program is for ages 6-8. 4-H participants learn about different subjects through hands-on activities and mentorship from adult volunteers. The Cloverbud Program focuses on multiple areas to give the participants a look into the world of 4-H.

In 4-H participants are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone, try something new, build new friendships, get involved in their community and interact with their environment. These values are highlighted in the 4-H pledge, which is we say at the beginning of each meeting and event.

4-H clubs and activities are designed to help develop leadership skills including public speaking skills, communication, decision making, parliamentary procedure, meeting management and networking. It also gives the participants the opportunity to learn about different subjects. 4-H offers a safe environment and fosters personal growth and development.

4-H encourages team collaboration, peer-to-peer support, and independent learning. Leaders guide participants through activities and provide them with the freedom to make mistakes and assist one another in the learning process.

HOW DO 4-H CLUBS WORK?

4-H clubs must have a minimum of six 4-H participants and two trained and screened leaders. The leaders choose a topic to teach the participants through hands-on learning. The participants spend 12 hours or more exploring the theme during the meetings. 4-H participants may join as many clubs as they wish for a membership fee of $100.00 per year.

4-H CLUB MEETINGS

4-H clubs typically get together for six two-hour meetings. The meetings can be in many forms- tours, guest speakers, demonstrations, activities, etc. Some clubs require more time and effort than others. 4-H meetings have a formal meeting time and hands-on learning time. During meetings, 4-H’ers discuss club issues and opportunities while learning parliamentary procedure. After club business finishes, participants move onto the hands-on activities focused on the club project topic. 4-H youth MUST participate in at least two-thirds of all club meeting time and participate in the club achievement program to successfully complete the project.

THE CLUB EXECUTIVE

Each 4-H club consists of at least five positions. The roles are President, Vice President, Secretary, Press Reporter, and Photographer(s). Club participants vote to elect their peers to these positions. The executive roles provide leadership opportunities for the participants.

As the President, the participant chairs 4-H meetings. Participants vote using motions and communicating with the leaders regarding agenda items, amongst other duties. At the end of the 4-H year, there is a 4-H Awards Banquet where the President is expected to speak about what their club has done over the past year.

As Vice President, the participant fills in if the President is not able to attend the meeting and will be assigned other tasks that may include introducing and thanking guests and participants.

As the Secretary, the participant is expected to take notes on what the discussions at each meeting, take attendance, and provide a report at the next meeting. At the end of the year, each club Secretary has an opportunity to enter for the Secretary’s Award, presented at the Awards Banquet.

As the Press Reporter, the participant is expected to write at least two reports on what the club is doing or what they have done and submit them to either a local paper, the York 4-H newsletter, the York 4-H website, or to the 4-H Ontario website. At the end of the year, each club Press Reporter has an opportunity to enter for the Press Reporter’s Award, presented at the Awards Banquet.

As the Photographer, the participant(s) is expected to take photos at all meetings and events. They can submit them to the York 4-H newsletter to show what they have done and to 4-H Ontario if they would like. At the end of the year, each club Photographer has an opportunity to enter for the Photographer’s Award, presented at the Awards Banquet.

Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/York4H

Follow us on Instagram: @york4_h

For more information about 4-H and 4-H opportunities visit: www.4-HOntario.ca

Additional Links

Parent information

Participant information

Become a York 4-H Volunteer

Contacts

Sheila Ducheck

4hyork@gmail.com
905-201-6715

Contact York 4-H Association

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