4-H Youth Development
4-H is the largest youth organization worldwide, reaching all 50 states and 80 countries. Our members have fun and make new friends while gaining leadership, citizenship and useful life skills through a wide variety of projects.
In addition, our skilled, caring adult volunteer leaders provide guidance and ensure a safe learning environment.
We invite you to become a member of the 4-H family. Access more information below or view the 4-H Family Handbook (PDF) and 4-H Policies and Procedures (PDF) to get started.
Kootenai/Shoshone County offers traditional 4-H clubs and projects as well as 4-H STEM related classes. Both programs utilize ZSuite as a one stop shop for all things 4-H: enrollment, project information, forms, calendar of events, course offerings and record books. This free program requires household registration before access is granted in order to keep our 4-H members (your children) safe. Find basic information about ZSuite, including a Tip Sheet on the UI Extension ZSuite page. Once registration is complete and fees paid, access will be granted. Call the UI Extension, Kootenai County office with any questions or comments at 208-292-2525.
4-H is open year-round to youth ages 5 to 18 without regard to race, creed, gender, marital status, handicaps or disadvantages, economic or ethnic backgrounds.
Participants ages 8 to 18 are eligible for all 4-H programs, including competitive activities and events. Ages 5 to 7 are eligible to participate in Cloverbuds.
Individuals older than 18 who have special needs are eligible if they are still enrolled in high school.
4-H age is the age of the individual on Jan. 1 of the current 4-H year (which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30).
Individuals can enroll at any time, but are encouraged to enroll between Oct. 1 and March 1 so they can fully participate in all activities and events for that year.
The following information provides step-by-step instructions on how to enroll (or re-enroll) in our 4-H program, along with a link to the local ZSuite portal.
There is a nominal annual fee that helps cover the cost of project curriculum, accident insurance, resource materials, related mailings and state participation fees.
The current annual base fees for one to three projects are:
- Cloverbuds: $40
- Regular members: $40
- Horse members: $43
There is a $3 project fee per project for youth participating in more than three projects.
The 4-H program wouldn’t exist without volunteers to lead projects and help plan and conduct events. To become a 4-H volunteer, please contact the UI Extension office to pick up a 4-H Volunteer Application Packet.
Contact us to learn the next step in the volunteer process to help map your way to becoming a Kootenai/Shoshone 4-H volunteer.
In order to keep our volunteers up to date on changes within the program and additional information about being a volunteer and our projects, new volunteers need to complete 3 hours of training, and returning volunteers need 2 hours by April 1 annually.
Training options include but are not limited to:
- Intensive Training Workshop
- Livestock Leader Training (January and March meetings, 2 hours credit)
- New Volunteer Orientation (multiple dates, 1 hour credit)
- New Volunteer Training (March, 3 hours credit)
- Other Extension and pre-approved outside training (contact the UI Extension office for options or pre-approval)
- Clover Academy
- Protecting Minors Training
- Idaho's 4-H Volunteer
There are many great opportunities for Idaho 4-H members and volunteers beyond their home county, as well as a wealth of project and program support materials at the UI Extension 4-H Youth Development state website.
National 4-H information can be found on the national 4-H website. You can also order 4-H curriculum, educational materials, apparel, essentials, pins and recognition items at the 4-H mall.
