4-H Clubs, Events and Opportunities in Anne Arundel County

Members are 8-18yrs; Clovers 5-7yrs

In Anne Arundel County, 4-H is run primarily through clubs with club, county, state, and national opportunities and events. Clubs in our county specialize in one major learning realm with opportunities in other interest areas (“sparks”) based on time and resources available.

Clubs are independent, run by certified, background checked volunteers.  Meeting dates, times, frequency, location, and dues information is specific to each club.  Youth activities/projects are dependent on what adult volunteers can/will do. Our clubs are not aligned with any county or private school system. Here is a chart of Anne Arundel County Clubs.

Owning an animal is not required. 4-H is “learn by doing” so youth are fully engaged in hands-on activities; all 4-H curriculum is research-based. A variety of topics are covered - animal science, robotics, healthy living, money and personal finance, STEM, agriculture, business, child development, creative art, gardening, photography, shooting sports, nature/environment, and much more! 

While we participate in many exciting activities, we focus on the life skills youth acquire through their experiences.

Our primary membership drive is Jan-March, but youth may join at any time.  Club calendars run January-December.

1. Here are some things to think about before you enroll:

• How old are your children?
• What type of activities do they enjoy? What type of club would they like to join?
• Where do you live and is proximity to meeting place important?  Here is a map of where clubs in Anne Arundel County most frequently meet.
• How much time do you have to give to the club?  Animal projects require a time and financial commitment, just as you allot these resources to your family dog or cat.  Some animal projects are required to go to auction/market at the county fair. These are factors to consider and investigate when you visit a club.  

2. If you definitely want to sign my youth up with a club:

1. Select a club you would like to join.
2. Contact the leader for details then attend a meeting or two to determine if it’s a good match and confirm they have space for new members.
3. Register Online: Sign-up via our 4-H enrollment platform:  v2.4honline.com.  Additional information on registration can be obtained from the club leader(s) and our county office. Cost for general membership is $10/year/member, for up to 3 youth, the $10 is waived for additional children. Clubs may have separate fees.

1. Absolutely. To start a club you need five youth from at least three different families and two certified 4-H volunteers (we will work through this process with you).
2. For project ideas you can review 4-H curriculum. On the page, click on curriculum along the top bar for all the options.
3. Our County Office can assist with resources and help with the first few meetings to get established. We will continue to support the club once established.

Anne Arundel County Fair

September 16 -20, 2026
Crownsville, MD

Anne Arundel County 2026 4-H Fair Book

All Exhibit Entries (Indoor & Livestock) must be pre-entered online. Registration opens July 15, 2026 and closes August 30, 2026. No late entries accepted, no entries that are not pre-entered accepted. See AAC 4-H Fair Book for details regarding drop off and removal. 

Indoor Entries MUST use the 4-H codes from the AAC 4-H Fair Book, please use the Blue Ribbon Fair Online entry system

One of the many life skills that 4-H offers youth is effective public speaking. This skill, along with many others, helps to build confidence and leadership.  Public speaking fosters creativity, critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, poise, and professionalism, which are valuable for the job market and life. 

The Public Speaking Contest is offered on the county level and qualifying youth are eligible to compete at the state level in the following areas: Extemporaneous, Interpretation, Prepared Speech, Radio Spot, Demonstration, Visual Presentation. 

Sunday, March 22, 2026
2:00 PM
Baldwin Early Learning Center
921 Generals Highway
Millersville, MD 21108

Contest Flyer and Registration 
Rules and Score Sheets 

Maryland State 4-H Public Speaking Contest

Youth who receive top placing for their age division at the Anne Arundel County 4-H Public Speaking Contest are eligible to participate in the Maryland State 4-H Public Speaking Contest. Each county 4-H program may enter one youth contestant per age division in each category. An invitation from the AAC extension office to register via 4-H Online will be sent following the county contest. Detailed registration instructions will be mailed directly to contestants. More information about the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest can be found on the State’s ‘Healthy Living’ Webpage.

The Maryland 4-H Program is proud to offer senior 4-H members the opportunity to participate in Leadership Trips at the National Level. All enrolled and dues-paying club members ages 14-18 (as of January 1st, the year the trip takes place) from all counties and Baltimore City are eligible to submit an application and portfolio packet (see instructions below) for any of the following national leadership trips. To be considered for a Leadership Trip, a 4-H member must complete a Senior 4-H Portfolio.   

The Senior 4-H Portfolio is used by the State 4-H program to select delegates to represent Maryland at the five National 4-H Leadership Opportunities which are supported by the Maryland 4-H Program and the Maryland 4-H Foundation. This portfolio consists of a resume and essay which must be submitted through the National 4-H Leadership Trips Application (Event in 4-H Online) by January 15th. Applicants must also be interviewed through the process described in detail on the State Leadership webpage.  To be eligible, a 4-H member must be 14 as of January 1st (the year of the trip). Members must be enrolled and approved in 4-H Online in order to submit their application. Individuals may attend each trip only once in a calendar year and a maximum of 3 leadership trips during their 4-H career. 

There are 5 National Trip Opportunities: 

• National 4-H Conference (April)
• National Leadership Trips:
  • Camp Miniwanca National Leadership Conference (June)
  • Virginia 4-H Congress (June)
  • West Virginia Older Member’s Conference (June)
  • National 4-H Congress (November)

Leadership Trip information

State Deadline:  January 15th - Portfolios must be submitted to 4-H Online*

Please note that portfolios must be submitted to our 4-H Educator for county approval at our county office by December 1. Once approved, the portfolio may then be submitted to 4-H Online by January 15.   It is very important that seniors understand they must be enrolled in 4-H for the year prior to submitting (if submitting sometime January 1-15) AND that 4-H Online is often shut down from mid-Dec to mid-Jan. Seniors are strongly urged to take advantage of the November - mid December portal entry date to avoid missing the January 15th deadline.

Scholarships: to attend these National 4-H Leadership Trip Opportunities are available from the Anne Arundel County Foundation.  Please check out the Anne Arundel County Foundation on our website to attain a National Trip Scholarship application.

AAC 4-H provides workshops for youth and adults throughout the year. They are interactive sessions designed to build knowledge and skills in a variety of areas and provide opportunities to connect with peers from across the county.

In-house workshops are offered in: 4-H Online Enrollment, 4-H Diamond Clover Program, Youth Club Officer leadership development, Volunteer & Club Leader skill development, 4-H Record Book Program and Public Speaking Tips (in preparation for our Public Speaking Contest).  For more information about these individual events, please check out our Workshop Promotional Flyers folder. 

Maryland 4-H Education and Camping Center, accredited by the American Camp Association, is located in beautiful, Garrett County, Maryland. Our camp boasts over 1100 acres of private and public land, a spacious lake, a short commute to the attractions at Deep Creek Lake, and endless opportunities to relax, recharge, and enjoy nature. Enjoy the crisp mountain air, guaranteed to be up to 10 degrees cooler than lower elevation or metropolitan area.

4-H residential and day camps offer recreational and educational opportunities in a camp setting. 4-H camps provide youth with the chance to meet new people, have fun and experience the great outdoors.

Our team will remain as transparent as possible and make sure that families have all of the details needed in order to make the best decision for your family. Camp will follow the health guidelines recommended during the time of camp. 

Camp dates: July 26 - July 31, 2026

2026 Anne Arundel Camp Google Form Registration

Please contact aaco4hcamp@gmail.com for information, any questions, and camp scholarship application forms.