Thanks to support from volunteers, partners and supporters, the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program is working to create a Ready Generation. We are empowering youth with the skills to lead within their families, schools, communities, and the workforce.
California 4-H runs on the power of our communities.
We are grateful for the strong support we receive from volunteers, local governments and the community. For over 100 years, 4-H has impacted youth throughout California. The investment you make now—with your time as a volunteer, or with a financial donation—impacts California's future.
Enroll to be a 4-H Volunteer
Volunteers play a vital role in the ongoing growth and development of California 4-H youth. A network of over 7,400 volunteers provide caring and supportive mentoring to all of our 4-H’ers in California, helping them grow into true leaders.
When you become a 4-H volunteer, you are part of the plan to keep our young people safe.
Our #1 priority in 4-H is the safety of our youth while they are in our care. All 4-H adult volunteers and staff go through a screening process that includes fingerprinting and background checks through the FBI and the California Department of Justice. Everyone who will be spending an extended time with 4-H youth is screened.
You enroll as a volunteer through your county 4 H office. A volunteer enrollment fee helps cover the cost of insurance so both volunteers and youth are covered while participating in 4-H activities. This insurance is in addition to your personal insurance coverage. Please contact your county 4-H office or fill out our 4-H Interest Form to get started on enrolling as a 4-H volunteer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of volunteers are needed?
There are many roles that volunteers take on that support 4-H. Your involvement level is up to you! We could always use your help as a club manager, project leader or event leader. There are also short-term volunteer roles, such as evaluators for a club or county competition or chaperones for day and overnight events.
Who can volunteer?
Adult volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Some volunteer roles may require additional age requirements. For example, overnight chaperones must be age 21 and older.
Am I expected to know how to lead a project?
We are lucky to have volunteers like you who can bring your subject area knowledge to share with 4-H'ers. To support you, we have a Volunteer Educators Guide that outlines steps to plan a project. You are supported with a structure to develop a lesson plan.
What can I expect as a volunteer?
Working with our 4-H'ers is an extremely rewarding experience! Even short-term volunteers who are chaperones at our conferences are inspired by the growth they see in the youth participants in just the short time of the conference.
4-H supports your growth as a volunteer and leader.
- We offer workshops, webinars and courses at the state and county levels throughout the year.
- Online courses help you increase your skills to help youth thrive in a safe environment. Yearly, volunteers complete courses on 4-H Positive Youth Development practices and the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA).
- You can learn and share with volunteer leaders throughout the state through the Volunteer Cafe webinars.
- Access resources and information to support your 4-H volunteer role on the California 4-H Resource Center website.
Donate to California 4-H
The California 4-H Foundation is the non-profit supporter of the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program. In partnership with the National 4-H Council and UC ANR, they provide support for national fundraising campaigns such as Tractor Supply Paper Clover. They also support statewide UC ANR campaigns such as #GivingTuesday and UC ANR Give Day.
The California 4-H Foundation enables donors to direct donations to 4-H clubs, programs and camps, as well as "Forever 4-H" funds, which support California 4-H into the future. They connect 4-H alumni and friends to what's happening in the California 4-H program with their newsletters and events.
By building partnerships with other foundations and corporate sponsors, the California 4-H Foundation supports California 4-H programming to build capacity for growing the program and offering scholarships to 4-H youth. Thanks to your support we can:
Expand academic and work readiness
Create meaningful leadership opportunities, support teen-focused programming, and establish spaces for in-person and online learning and connection.
Invest in 4-H volunteers
Prepare 4-H volunteers to teach the next generation of young people, retain and recruit volunteers, and extend our capacity through technology.
Accelerate impact
Build on a century of innovation, nurture the power of young people, and adapt our programming to meet the needs of our future workforce.