What is a 4-H Project?
Projects are a cornerstone of the 4-H experience. They are self-paced and help youth develop life skills and learn how to set and achieve goals. Participants should choose at least one project in an area of interest per year. Anyone can do a project and ALL 4-H club members should complete one. At-large members are strongly encouraged to complete a project. Follow the steps below to select and complete a project.Step 1: Find your spark! Think about the things you are interested in and want to learn more about. Anything from hobbies to extracurricular activities to family traditions can serve as inspiration. Check out this list and choose a project that matches your interests.... Can't find anything that matches exactly? That's okay! Projects are self-guided and are meant to be flexible so pick the one that is closest to your interest.
Step 2: Find learning experiences and hone your skills. Learning experiences help you explore your spark and work towards mastery of skills. Attend a 4-H workshop or clinic that focuses on your project, take a class in school that lets you practice your skills, borrow a project manual from the extension office and practice the exercises on your own. The possibilities are endless!
Step 3: Community service/Leadership. Give back what you learned. Try teaching the skill to a younger sibling or friend, volunteer to lead a class, or help out with an event related to your skill.
Step 4: Showcase. Show off your newfound skills by creating something to exhibit. Or create an educational presentation/demonstration to share at a contest.
Step 5: Record. Document your project in a record book and submit at the end of the year.
Questions? Need help? Check out the resources below or contact Sarah at seholden@ncsu.edu for more information on projects.Additional Resources
Project guide and descriptions
Presentation list and descriptions
