Volunteering with 4-H

Help Wanted!

Without volunteers our 4-H program can’t grow. If you have a talent or an interest that you would like to share with local youth ages 5 – 19, please consider giving your time to 4-H. Volunteers can participate in many different ways with all levels of time commitment.

Current Volunteer Needs

We are always looking for dedicated adult volunteers to lead traditional 4-H clubs based on their interests and expertise. Traditional clubs have a constitution and bylaws, elected officers, an annual plan of work, and usually a fundraising plan. Members work to complete a project based on their age and experience level (ex: 4-H livestock project culminating in the area livestock show). To start a new club, we need a minimum of 2 adult volunteer leaders and 5 youth members (depending on the club ages 5 and older or ages 9 and older).

If you are looking for a short-term commitment, we love to have volunteers offer SPIN programs. SPIN programs are short-term, special interest programs usually designed to last six sessions. SPIN programs do not have elected officers or club funds. This is a great way to test out the waters of volunteerism and share your interests and talents with young people. We have a number of SPIN curricula already available - see details below!

If you are interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer, please contact Jennifer Bowen at jebowen1@vt.edu or 738-6191 ext. 4371.

How Much Time?

How much time you want to give to 4-H is entirely up to you!

Only have a few hours to spare? We are currently seeking individuals who can contribute a few hours of their time to assist with Kids’ Marketplace events at the local elementary schools, Real Money/Real World events at the middle school, and Reality Store events at the high school. These events are planned throughout the school year. If you are interested in assisting, please contact us for dates and locations.

Discover 4-H and SPIN Programs

Have a little more time to spare? Mecklenburg 4-H is also seeking adult volunteer leaders to run short-term special interest clubs. These clubs, called SPIN clubs or Discover Clubs are designed to complete a curriculum over the course of six to nine meetings. Each curriculum includes detailed lesson plans and suggested activities. They are led by volunteers that have a talent or interest that they are willing to share with young people in this community. There is currently a curriculum for the following areas:

Animal Sciences (various livestock and pet projects)
Archeology
Art of Math
4-H Cloverbuds (ages 5 – 8)
Coding and Computer Science
Craft Beading
Crime and Spy Science
Crochet
Family History
Geology
Global Citizenship
Food, Nutrition, and Cooking
Interior Design
Leadership
Money Mentors
Paper Crafts
Photography
Public Speaking and Presentations
Robotics
Theatre Arts

Interested volunteers can also design their own 4-H program. The Extension Office will provide volunteer training and logistical support. 4-H volunteers can have a positive impact on the next generation of young people in our community. If you want to make a difference by becoming a 4-H Volunteer, please contact the Mecklenburg County Extension Office today. Call (434)738-6191 ext. 4371 or email jebowen1@vt.edu.

Other Opportunities for Volunteers

Contact us to discuss all of the options. We are always in need of 4-H Camp adult leaders and club leaders. If you don't have time to spare but would like to support our program participants financially, your donation is tax deductible.

Volunteer Forms and Training

Volunteers are now required to enroll using our 4-H Online system.

All 4-H volunteers (other than one-time/occasional volunteers) are required to complete Virginia Tech's Youth Protection Training and review the Civil Rights Training Module before volunteer enrollment can be approved. These trainings are accessed through 4-H Online.

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