You may think 4-H is only for your friends with animals, but it’s so much more! You can do activities like shooting sports, food science, environmental science, healthy living, robotics, fashion, art and photography. 4‑H clubs follow a planned program and offer multiple learning opportunities for youth that are self-directed. Clubs can meet in a variety of locations and typically meet in the evenings and on the weekends. 

Research shows that young people who choose to be part of a 4-H Club are more likely to be educationally motivated, have higher self-esteem and communicate more maturely than their peers.

Click on the button below to locate your county extension office.
There you will find information about specific 4-H club programming in your area.

Find your local club

4-H Online

Maryland 4-H uses an online member management system called 4-H Online. These guides have been prepared to assist families in creating member profiles and enrolling in 4-H using the 4-H Online system. Contact your local 4-H Office for more information.

To enroll or re-enroll, go to:

Maryland 4-H Online 2.0

4-H Projects

Image of various curriculum offered by 4-H

Members have the opportunity to learn more about a subject matter that they choose to study through completing hands-on activities. We refer to these as projects. In order to enroll in a project, members must sign up for them at the time of enrolling in 4-H. Many project(s) have a “guide” that “assists” the youth through the learning process as well as a set of guidelines that helps them meet the project requirements.

Some projects have a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level-that allows youth to build on their knowledge each year and continue to challenge their skills. Projects are meant to be worked on over time, providing an educational opportunity for youth outside of the club meeting setting. There is no limit to the number of projects youth can sign up for, however, we suggest starting out with one or two your first year.

National 4-H Curriculum Guides focus on 4-H’s three primary mission mandates: Science, Healthy Living, and Citizenship. From Wind Power to Workforce Readiness, youth activity guides are filled with engaging experiences that cultivate the skills that youth need for everyday living as they gain knowledge about subjects that interest them.  

Access Project Guides through the National 4-H Curriculum for a full listing and descriptions of available curricula/guides.

State 4-H programs within the Cooperative Extension System, 4-H National Headquarters at USDA, and National 4-H Council provide leadership for the development of the National 4-H Curriculum. This partnership provides the knowledge, resources, and management necessary to develop and market a quality youth curriculum.

4-H Youth Forms and Resources

Virtual Activity Clubs

Spring header for virtual activity clubs

UME 4-H is offering short-term virtual summer activity clubs! Clubs will run for six to eight sessions, one hour each session. We’re going to have fun with hands-on activities while creating new friendships. As always, youth will make rich connections with peers and caring adults in a safe, inclusive environment while in 4-H! We’ll share our knowledge and passion for some of our favorite topics and hope members come ready to participate as our meetings will be very interactive!

Interested in learning about 4-H? Here’s your chance—a small commitment with big benefits. Already a 4-H’er? Join us for a new project and new friends from across the state.