4-H Participation Fee

University of Maryland Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program Begins 4-H Participation fee in 2011

The challenging economic times our nation is in has directly affected the funding available to University of Maryland Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program. Substantial budget cuts over the past two years, and anticipated budget cuts this next year, have led to the need to institute a 4-H participation fee for all 4-H club members in Maryland. This fee will help ensure that Maryland 4-H can continue to be one of the leading youth development programs in our state. Beginning with the 2011 4-H year, each youth club member will be required to pay a $10 participation fee annually which equals $.83 cents per month. These funds will be used to sustain 4-H programming across the state of Maryland. A statewide committee comprised of youth and adult volunteers, educators and administrators was assembled to work on the details of this plan and youth focus groups were held to work through the implications of the need to implement this new annual fee. University of Maryland’s 4-H Youth Development Program is committed to continuing the long standing tradition of providing excellent 4-H programs for Maryland’s youth.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Why do club members have to pay a participation fee?

The recent economic recession has caused substantial budget reductions from monies allocated through the state of Maryland. In our past, the 4-H program was federally, state, county and city supported. Now however, we are federally, state, county and city assisted- meaning they assist us with a portion of our funding, but not all that is needed. While we continue to celebrate and appreciate the dollars that are allocated to assist us, it is not enough to offer the quality 4-H program we are accustomed to. The difference is made up through contributions to the Maryland 4-H Foundation, through grants and contracts generated through faculty programming, and now through an annual participation fee. The annual 4-H participation fee will become part of the annual process to secure enough money to offer the 4-H Program in Maryland along with federal, state, county and city monies.

2) University of Maryland Extension has been in tight budget times for a couple of years – why do we have to pay a fee for the next enrollment year?

As an organization, we have drawn on rainy day money, residual dollars, and reduced faculty to cover the 1.7 million dollars in budget reductions. We are out of options now. There are no extra monies left to draw on for the deficit. Just like a family that may have a financial crisis due to illness or loss of work or something similar – they may be able to survive for a while drawing on their savings – but eventually, it will run out.

3) What will this money be used for?

The money will be used to offset the annual expenses to offer 4-H in Maryland such as curricula and project development, development of leadership training for 4-H youth, development of volunteer training for adults and youth development research and program support. University of Maryland Extension is funded through a cooperative relationship between federal, state, county and city governments. Additionally, we now must draw on private dollars including grants and Foundation funding sources to continue to offer the programs at the current level. The new private funding piece will be the annual participation fee for community and project club members.

4) What do we get for paying the annual 4-H participation fee?

That is a reasonable question and one that many youth programs that are administered at a state and national level, such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and similar groups often face. The reality is that the local club programs are benefitting from the annual fee, but it isn’t something tangible that can be easily seen. The program is facilitated through the land grant university system and as such is a research based program with federal and state guidelines that ensure it is a solid youth development program grounded in child development principles. The personnel to oversee the program include state administrators, Extension specialists, county/city based 4-H Educator teams and support staff. Additionally, the program oversees programmatic opportunities that include the development and implementation of curricula support, Volunteer and Educator training to implement the programs, statewide events and activities and a host of managerial responsibilities. We are fortunate to have a solid base of volunteers that work with us to offer 4-H. If it wasn’t for the volunteers, the cost to offer 4-H would be much, much higher. The annual fee of $10, (or about $.83 cents per month) contributes to the overall 4-H program that can then ensure that programming is offered at the county,city and club level.

5) How was the amount of the fee determined?

The fee was determined by taking the total program cost (subtracting out staff and faculty salary) subtracted from the available resources. The deficit was then reviewed and divided by the total number of community club and project club members. The $10 fee (or $.83 cents per month) was determined to be a reasonable amount that would cover a good portion of the deficit and an amount that families could afford. The deficit difference still remaining will be addressed through grants and other funding streams. We also counseled with 4-H National Headquarters and reviewed a summary of all states related to annual fees that 4-H National Headquarters coordinated. Although the amounts of fees being charged around the nation varied, (which ranged from $5 to $60 per child annually) the $10 fee was the average that most charged. Therefore, we decided this fee amount was the most consistent and reasonable. Around 25% of the states in our nation charge some type of fee. Survey information indicates this number will more likely be going up considerably as states experience the same budget reductions that Maryland has.

6) What will the procedures be to pay the annual participation fee?

A basic set of guidelines for collecting the fee has been shared with County/City 4-H Educator Teams. There is an expectation that this basic process be followed; however, the local 4-H office will determine the process to be used and communicate that to members and volunteers. We will have to partner with our club leaders to collect this fee and fully recognize it will add a layer of complexity to club meetings and their responsibilities. We trust our club leaders and club treasurers and know that they will do whatever they can to make certain the 4-H program continues to be offered in Maryland.

7) If individual youth are in multiple clubs, do they have to pay the participation fee for each club, or just once?

The annual participation fee is based on individual member, not by club. Members are required to submit only one participation fee annually through their primary 4-H club.

8) If individual youth are in clubs in more than one county and/or state – do they have to pay for each county or state?

The member would pay their participation fee based on their primary club in Maryland. If they are members in another state, they would also need to adhere to any requirements for that state.

9) Do military 4-H club youth have to pay the annual participation fee?

No. Maryland 4-H receives a grant through the US Military to facilitate the Military 4-H Program, so additional fees are not required.

10) Do 4-H youth that are enrolled through bulk methods ie: Curriculum Enrichment, Special Interest, Camping etc. – have to pay the annual participation fee?

No. The annual participation fee is for community and project club members only. The other seven delivery modes for 4-H often are targeted experiences with schools or community centers and other collaborations. While there is not an annual participation fee, counties may charge fees for these programs based on University of Maryland Extension’s Cost Recovery Guidelines.

11) If a family has multiple children, do they have to pay for all of them? Can there be a maximum number of kids or family membership?

The maximum number of youth that a family has to pay for is 3 (three). Any children in a family beyond 3 would not have to pay for their annual participation.

12) What if families can’t afford to pay the annual participation fee?

We are hopeful that families will see the value of their child’s involvement in 4-H and recognize their participation as an investment in their future. Families will have to make some conscience choices about their household expenses and find a way to manage the annual fee as they do many other youth programs and activities at school and within their community. Just as they may decide about baseball, gymnastics, or band, the family will have to make a decision about what they can truly not afford.

13) Can the club pay the fee? Can the club fundraise for it?

People often place more value in something they have to pay for, and work for. The experience has been that it is best for the families to pay their fee – however, if as a club the membership votes to cover the annual membership fee then they can do so. The club would need to be sure that resources are available for all present and future club members as new members join their clubs during the year.

14) My family does not have the money and there are no other options in the county. What now? Does that mean I can’t be in 4-H?

National 4-H Guidelines stipulate that youth cannot be denied 4-H membership solely on the inability to pay. If all other options have been exhausted, members may request a waiver of the annual fee by writing to:

Maryland 4-H Program Leader
Maryland 4-H Center
8020 Greenmead Drive
College Park Maryland, 20740

Specific information would have to be included in the request outlining why the family cannot pay and the family would need to be prepared to provide supporting documentation if requested.

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For more information, contact Amy Rhodes

Last updated: 10/10/2010