Enrollment Process

All youth and adults desiring to join 4-H must enroll annually (July 1 through June 30). 4-H Enrollment is conducted by the 4-H Club and County 4-H Office in each county. Enrollment procedures may vary in each county, so check with your County 4-H Offices for more information.

Youth Enrollment

Youth are eligible to participate in 4-H if they meet the following criteria:

Primary Members (also called Cloverbuds or Minimembers) - Must be 5 years old or in kindergarten by December 31 of the program year. Primary members cannot enroll in large animal projects. Youth enrolling or turning nine after December 31 must participate as a Primary Member until the end of the program year. (Some counties do not offer primary member programs, check with your County 4-H Office.)
4-H Members - Must be 9 years old or in 4th grade by December 31 of the program year and may continue in the program until the end of the calendar year in which they become 19 years of age. Note: Home schooled youth are to enroll based on their chronological age, as of December 31.

The Youth Enrollment Form - English (PDF) or the New Youth 4-H Member Paper Enrollment Form - Spanish (PDF) is used for youth in organized 4-H clubs, special interest and short-term programs, and 4-H Camps. Payment is required to enroll in 4-H for program fees and 4-H accident/sickness insurance.

To enroll in 4-H, contact the adult 4-H volunteer club/camp leader or your County 4-H Office.

Adult Application Process

4-H YDP Volunteers are appointed by the County Director. The decision to appoint or not appoint a volunteer (whether initially or upon renewal) rests with the County Director, in consultation with appropriate 4-H staff. All appointments are made for the best interest of the 4-H Youth Development Program and 4-H members.

Adults are eligible to participate in 4-H if they are 18 years of age or older. A volunteer cannot simultaneously be a 4-H member. Chaperones must be 21 years of age or older (county age requirement may differ).

The New Adult 4-H Volunteer Paper Application Form - English (PDF) or the New Adult 4-H Volunteer Paper Application Form - Spanish (PDF) is used for adults in organized 4-H clubs and camps, and any other time where an adult will have direct contact with 4-H youth. Payment is required to enroll in 4-H for program fees and 4-H accident/sickness insurance.

To apply for 4-H, contact the adult 4-H volunteer club/camp leader or your County 4-H Office.

4hOnline is a web-based system used to enroll youth and accept applications for adults in the California 4-H Youth Development Program. To get started using the 4-H Online System, please visit 4hOnline.com or contact your local County 4-H Office. Please note that not all counties allow youth and adults to enroll online themselves.