Senior(Ages 14 - 18) Members Resource Guide
Ages above should be a reflection of the age they are as of January 1(2026) of the current year.
🏛 Attend and Participate in Club Meetings
A 4-H club is a group of youth and adults who meet regularly for fun, learning, and leadership. Most clubs hold monthly meetings, which are planned and led by youth officers with guidance from club leaders. They offer activities which include demonstrations, project work, community service, and social events for the youth members.
Typical 4-H Meeting Experience
➡️ Opening – Call to Order & Pledges
➡️ Business – Youth-led planning & decision-making 💼
➡️ Education/Program – Advanced demonstrations, speakers, or hands-on projects 🎨
➡️ Recreation – Games, activities, or snacks 🎲🍪
➡️ Closing – Wrap-up & reminders ✅
👨👩👧 What Parents/Guardians and Caregivers Can Expect
- 👍 Be Involved – Support youth as they take on leadership
- 🚗 Provide Transportation – Ensure youth can attend meetings and events
- 📣 Encourage & Support – Mentor them in completing projects and responsibilities
- 📰 Stay Informed – Read newsletters, attend meetings, and ask questions
❓ What to Ask Your Club Leader
- 🗓 Club Calendar – When and where does the club meet?
- 🌟 Project Options – Which projects are suitable for senior-level skill development?
- 🏛 Meeting Structure – What advanced responsibilities will my child have?
- 💵 Fees & Deadlines – What is due, and when?
🌟 Age-Appropriate Club Experiences (Ages 14–18)
Business Meeting Participation
- Run for club officer positions (President, Treasurer, Secretary, etc.)
- Lead committee or project reports
- Facilitate discussions and use parliamentary procedure
- Vote on club decisions and mentor younger members
🏅 Leadership Roles (Advanced & Impactful)
- Committee Chair or Senior Project Leader 👥
- Mentor Junior and Intermediate Members 🧑🏫
- Organize and lead recreation, events, or workshops 🎵🎤
- Serve as Club Host or Ambassador for community events
🚀 Club Participation = Growth!
- 🧑🏫 Project Work – Advance skills in club, county, or state project meetings/events
- 🎤 Presentations & Demos – Lead advanced demonstrations or workshops
- 🚍 Field Trips & Tours – Participate in leadership-focused tours and service trips
- 🌍 Service Projects – Plan and coordinate community service initiatives
- 💵 Fundraisers – Lead fundraising efforts while building teamwork
📚Explore 4-H Projects
Check out Spark Sheets & curriculum guides on the Kansas 4-H Project Page for age-appropriate ideas. Popular options for Senior Members include:
- 🐴 Animal Science – Advanced care, breeding, and judging
- 👩🍳 Food & Nutrition – Advanced culinary skills and nutrition planning
- 🤖 STEM – Robotics, coding, engineering, and research projects
- 🎨 Visual Arts – Leadership in art exhibitions and creative workshops
- 🌱 Gardening & Environmental Science – Advanced sustainability projects
- 🗳 Leadership & Civic Engagement – Community projects, advocacy, and mentoring
🎉4-H Experiences and Events
🏆 Achievement Celebration – Recognize accomplishments at senior level
⛺ 4-H Camp at Rock Springs Ranch – Leadership training and mentorship (ages 7–18)
🎤 Club Day – Public speaking, skits, and performance competitions
🐮 Project Based State Events and Competitions – Advanced project knowledge and competition
🎄 Bromelsick Party & Memorial – Douglas County tradition
🎡 Douglas County Fair – Exhibit senior-level project work and compete
🌻 Kansas State Fair – State-level competition and leadership showcase
🎓 Kansas 4-H Discovery Days – College and career exploration
🗳 Kansas 4-H Citizenship in Action – Advocacy and civic engagement
🌟 Kansas 4-H Youth Leadership Forum – Build leadership skills and networks
🏅 Douglas County 4-H Ambassador Program – Represent 4-H locally and statewide
🏛 Douglas County 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus – National-level leadership and civic experience
Stay Connected!
Read the Douglas County 4-H Newsletter each month for updates, deadlines, and opportunities!
🌱 Life Skills Gained as a Senior 4-H Member
Being a Senior 4-H member means taking full leadership roles, mentoring younger members, exploring advanced projects, and preparing for college, career, and civic engagement opportunities.
Skills Senior Members Gain:
- 💬 Communication – Lead meetings, present workshops, and advocate ideas
- ⭐ Leadership – Mentor younger members, manage committees, and organize events
- 👫 Teamwork – Collaborate on large projects and community initiatives
- ✅ Responsibility – Manage multiple projects and deadlines independently
- 🔎 Problem-Solving – Handle challenges and develop solutions
- 🌍 Citizenship – Contribute meaningfully to club and community
- 💪 Confidence – Lead with assurance and develop public presence
- 🎨 Project Mastery – Achieve excellence in chosen project areas
✨ In 4-H, Seniors don’t just learn—they lead, inspire, and thrive! ✨
Interested in Enrolling?
The 4-H year runs from October 1 through September 30. While enrollment is open year-round, youth must be enrolled by May 1(2026) of the current 4-H year in order to participate in the Douglas County Fair 4-H division.