The following guidelines are in effect for all persons associated with the Delaware Cooperative Extension 4-H/Youth program.
Discrimination in the 4-H/Youth program because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability is contrary to the purposes and policies of the Delaware Cooperative Extension System and the United States Department of Agriculture and violates the spirit and intent of civil rights laws.
1. Youth in the third grade or 8 years old, whichever comes sooner, are eligible to enroll in 4-H. Cloverbud members may be age 5-7.
2. Youth who reach their 19th birthday before January 1 of the current 4-H year are no longer eligible for 4-H membership.
3. Participation in 4-H may be in any of the following methods:
A. Organized 4-H Clubs
An organized group of youth with officers and a planned program that is carried on throughout all or several months of the year.
B. 4-H Special-Interest or Short-Term Programs
Groups of youth organized and/or coordinated by Extension meeting for specific learning experiences. (Not a part of the school curriculum).
C. 4-H Camping
Youth participating in a 4-H camp.
D. 4-H School-Enrichment Programs
Groups of youth receiving learning experiences not involving organized club activities coordinated by Extension in cooperation with school officials as part of the school curriculum.
E. 4-H Individual Study
Youth participating in a planned 4-H program as individuals without group affiliation.
4. Marriage and parenthood are not a barrier to 4-H membership, provided other requirements are met.
5. The 4-H program year is September 1-August 31.
Definition of JR./Teen Leader and Roles
1. An adult volunteer 4-H leader must be at least 18 years of age and cannot also be an enrolled 4-H member. There are several categories of adult volunteer leadership, including:
4-H Club Leader - The adult leader who is responsible for the proper functioning of the 4-H club.
4-H Project Leader - The adult leader responsible for a given project area in the 4-H club.
4-H Activity Leader - The adult leader responsible for designated 4-H activity(ies) in the 4-H club.
4-H Key Leader - The adult leader who works with other 4-H leaders in an area or county to promote 4-H, help new clubs get started, recruit and train new leaders.
4-H County Program Leader - The adult leader who works with other 4-H leaders in an area or county to help with a specific project or activity.
2. Volunteer leadership can be provided by 4-H members through the 4-H Leadership Project.
Leader Helper - Ages 12-13 - Guides and helps younger members under the supervision of teen or adult leader.
Junior Leader - Ages 14-16 - Teaches project or leads an activity with guidance from an adult leader.
Teen Leader - Ages 17-18 - May serve as an activity, project, or organizational leader of a 4-H group with limited guidance from an adult leader.
1. In recognition of the developmental needs of youth, programs should be designed for equivalent age groups.
2. Two age groups are recognized in the Delaware 4-H/Youth program for state competitive events. These are:
Junior - 13 years or younger as of January 1 of current 4-H year.
Senior - 14 years or older as of January 1 of current 4-H year.
County competitive events may be based on these divisions but may also be further subdivided.
State activities and events are open to all 4-H members in Delaware unless age requirements are specified.
Contests and other activities and events held at local county or state levels should serve the primary purpose of furthering the educational goals of 4-H. They should serve as incentive and motivation for greater accomplishment and learning through related projects and programs. Local, county or state events may include the following:
1. Demonstrations
2. Public Speaking
3. Judging
4. Fashion Revue
5. Favorite and/or International Foods
6. Talent or Share-the-Fun Events
7. Poster Contest
8. Photography Contest
Other activities may be held that reinforce and further educational goals of 4-H.
Subject to availability of private resources, the following out-of-state educational programs are offered.
Judging Teams:
Dairy
Horse
Horticulture
Livestock
Poultry
National 4-H Conference
National 4-H Congress
Citizenship Washington Focus
Interstate Exchanges
Public Speaking/Demonstration Events
1. Delaware Cooperative Extension will cooperate with donors on a local, county and state basis provided their support is offered without restrictive criteria and is consistent with the purposes of the 4-H/Youth program. Restrictive criteria would include use of mandatory products, trade names, breed association requirements, etc.
2. Prizes and awards shall be given in the name of the donor or sponsoring group.
3. Use of the 4-H name and emblem is governed by congressional action and supplemental administrative policy. Use of the 4-H name and emblem within a county is subject to approval by the County 4-H Agent. Use on a multi-county or state basis shall be approved by the State Program Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development. In all instances, such use shall conform to state and national policy and be for the furtherance of the 4-H educational programs rather than for the benefit of private individuals, donors, or others. See "The 4-H Name and Emblem Guidelines for Authorized Use" for more detail.
4. 4-H School Relationships:
a. If a program done in cooperation with a school or other community youth agency is primarily a delivery method of the 4-H youth program; i.e., the school or youth agency is considered the best way to reach young people, then literature and written material can be provided in the same way as to any 4-H club or group.
b. If the program is primarily an enrichment of a school class or curriculum or youth agency program and the school or agency wishes to use 4-H material because it best fits their needs, then the material will be purchased or reproduced by the school or youth agency.
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