What Is 4-H?
Mission Of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ 4-H Youth Development
4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
Who Are We?
We are part of the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Fairbanks--AVÀÇÂÛ̳’s land-grant university. AVÀÇÂÛ̳ 4-H is one of many programs in the Cooperative Extension Service, a division of the Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension at the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Fairbanks.
4-H is the largest youth development program in the U.S., engaging more than 7 million young people in hands-on projects in science, healthy lifestyles, citizenship, communications, leadership and many other areas. 4-H projects are taught by certified 4-H volunteers so youth are in a safe place with caring adults. 4-H is a program you can trust to help your children become career and college-ready.
AVÀÇÂÛ̳ 4-H is the state’s premier youth development program that is open to all youth from kindergarten through high school. Through 4-H's affiliation with UAF, our programs employ research-based information and strategies. 4-H gives young people the extra edge for life success by teaching essential life skills such as confidence, competence, character and community service. Through 4-H, today’s young people become tomorrow’s leaders, creating a positive vision of the future. In 4-H, youth work together with adults to make a difference in their communities, helping build a stronger nation. Let 4-H become your child’s first class from the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Fairbanks.
What Do We Do For Youth?
While 4-H is a national program, 4-H programs and clubs reflect the needs of local communities, villages, and neighborhoods. 4-H helps today's youth learn the skills and develop the talents to succeed in an ever-changing world. AVÀÇÂÛ̳ 4-H fulfills the 4-H mission through a variety of programming that fits with AVÀÇÂÛ̳'s myriad cultures and environments: from southeast AVÀÇÂÛ̳ to the western Arctic coast, from urban centers like Anchorage and Fairbanks to small remote rural AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Native villages throughout the state, AVÀÇÂÛ̳ 4-H has something for everyone!
4-H provides young people with the extra edge for life success by:
- Actively engaging them in a wide variety of personal projects that develop practical skills while pursuing personal interests. From photography to computers, from building rockets to training rabbits to learning how to prepare nutritious, low-cost meals, to going to camp, 4-H teaches youth the life skills to succeed.

- Teaching leadership skills, by encouraging members to serve as officers, handle club funds and learn how to conduct a business meeting. 4-H youth also participate in state and national conferences, and even participate international and cultural immersion exchanges.

- AVÀÇÂÛ̳ back to their communities - being involved in service projects to improve the local community, help the elderly, collect food for food banks, protect the environment, mentor younger children and help people who are less fortunate.

What ages is 4-H?
4-H is open to all youth ages 5-18.
4-H Ages are as of October 1 of the current 4-H year:
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Cloverbuds - 5-7
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Juniors - 8-11
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Intermediate - 12-14
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Seniors - 15-18
Every year, at Summer Camp, Bristol Bay 4-H provides plant identification activities. One youth had participated for several years and grumbled - "Not again!" The leader explained that practice and repetition engrains knowledge.
While searching for plants this youth was seen surrounded by a group of newer campers. Uninstructed, he was properly leading the discussion on plant identification and their values. As the adult leader listened, the youth hit every point accurately and became a peer for others to look up to.
After a lesson on helpful and harmful plants, eight year old Emmie was playing with her friend. The friend picked a harmful plant to play with. Emmie immediately recognized the plant and instructed her friend not to touch it and to quickly wash her hands.
After collecting plants and brewing Tundra Tea at Camp, one camper collected tea leaves on a family outing and brewed tea for his family at home.
While on a hike a family saw a plant that they could not identify. Ben quickly pulled out the Plant Identification booklet he had made at 4-H Camp to find out if the plant was helpful or harmful.
One Bristol Bay Camper enjoyed the lesson on making Salmon Spread so much, he immediately made some for his family when he went home that day.