What is 4-H?
4–H is a national organization which helps young people develop lifelong knowledge and skills to become engaged citizens. 4–H is truly a model of the “leaning by doing” teaching concept. Participants are provided opportunities for exposure to community service, fund raising experience, and promotional activities which creates a stronger bond between families and their communities.
Texas 4-H
4-H Enrollment period begins August and September for $25, then increases to $30 on November 1st. Enrollment is good from the time you sign up through July. Re-enrollment is required annually. Once you are enrolled, a code from the Remind App will be given to inform you of important information about your Club and Projects that you signed up for. We would love for you to join our 4-H program where there is so much fun to be had and the life-skills you learn will take you far beyond your youth! Please call 806-669-8033, follow our Facebook page Gray County Extension and 4-H, visit our website https://gray.agrilife.org/ or stop by the AgriLife Extension Office in the Gray County Annex at 12125 E. Frederic, in Pampa for more information.
4-H Enrollment
Please contact the Gray Extension Office at 806-669-8033 for more information or if you need assistance.
Gray County 4-H Clubs and Projects Meetings
CLUB MEETINGS
Club meetings are different than Project Meetings. 4-H Clubs are the umbrella that covers the projects. This is where 4-H Members gain Leadership Skills, learn parliamentary procedure, vote for club officers such as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Club meetings offer the opportunity for 4-H Members to plan meetings programs, community service activities, play games, have fellowship with refreshments and meet new people. Club meetings usually last 1 hour and are held monthly.
Clover Kids Club
Who: Kindergarten thru 2nd grade. Not eligible to be in projects YET, but this is where they have the opportunity to learn about different 4-H projects to choose to join when they reach 3rd grade.
When: Unless otherwise announced, every 2nd Monday of the month beginning at 5:30
Where: In the Gray County Annex 12125 E. Frederic, Pampa
North Fork Club
Who: 4-H Members 3rd thru 12th grade (Are in any projects)
When: Unless otherwise announced, every 3rd Tuesday of the month beginning at 6:00
Where: In the Gray County Annex 12125 E. Frederic, Pampa
Top of Texas Archery
Who: 4-H Members 3rd thru 12th grade (Archery is their main project, but can be in any project)
When: Unless otherwise announced, the last Monday of every month beginning at 5:30
Where: In the Gray County Annex 12125 E. Frederic, Pampa
PROJECT MEETINGS
Project meetings are where hands-on learning takes place. This is where 4-H Members get to make their projects and practice for county, district, and state contests. A project is not considered
complete until a Project Record Book or Project Report Form is submitted to the County Extension Office.
Gray County Fall Projects
Consumer Sciences
Horse *You do not have to own a horse to participate in this project*
Foods and Nutrition
Robotics
Photography
Beef Livestock
Swine Livestock
Lamb Livestock
Goat Livestock
Gray County Spring Projects
Archery
Clothing
Horse *You do not have to own a horse to participate in this project*
Livestock Judging
Meat Science
Photography
Public Speaking
Shotgun
Fund Raisers
September thru November: Pecans, Mixed Nuts, Dried Fruit and Gift Baskets. Orders arrive just in time for Holiday Baking.
Fall and Spring Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply
May Geranium sales at United the full weekend before Mothers’ Day
Youth Award Opportunities
Record keeping – maintaining a history of one’s activities such as financial dealings or life events by entering data in ledgers, journals, calendars or putting items into a file system; an essential life skill. Record keeping is a valuable skill taught to members of the Texas 4-H program. Members are encouraged to keep project records and have these records reviewed annually by submitting a Texas 4-H Record Book. The primary purposes of completing a Record Book are for a young person to develop the skills necessary to set goals, work toward achieving those goals, reflect on his/her experiences, and set new and higher goals for themselves. A secondary benefit is to prepare young people for the process of completing academic scholarship and/or collegiate admission applications. A 4-H member must submit a completed record book in order to receive a county medal/project pin. The first year, the medal will be in the project area submitted in the record book. Following years, the member may choose another project area in which a project was completed that year.
4-H Record Book – the competitive event where 4-H members assemble their records into a specified document and submit those for evaluation against other 4-H members. However, one may choose to complete a record book just for the skill learned and not elect to submit for competition. 2022 – 2023 Record Book
Project Report Form – At a minimum, all 4-H members who complete at least one Project Report Form year will receive a year pin.
Participation Points Awards – Points are accrued every time a 4-H Member participates in any 4-H event or activity. If a 2022 – 2023 Points Book is submitted to the Extension Office and the accrued points total 275, the 4-H Member is awarded a “Point Prize” at the annual 4-H Banquet. HOWEVER, even if the accrued points do not total 275, they roll over to the following years until the 4-H member is accumulates their points to be awarded their points prize.
Rookie of the Year – This award is given to 1 first-year County 4-H Member. Rookie of the Year Award selection is based on the placement of the 4-H Member’s Record Book and Participation Points accrual.
Gold Star – The Gold Star Award is the highest achievement award given by the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program through the County 4-H Program. The Texas 4-H Gold Star Award can only be awarded once in a member’s 4-H career and with the completion of the Application Process. The presentation of the Gold Star Pin began in 1933, the first year Mr. E.C. Martin was Boys 4-H Club Specialist. Mr. Martin tells us the pin was prompted by an effort to recognize the people who did the work rather than the agents. Previous to this time, the agents submitting the largest number of 4-H records received the recognition. Gray County awards the historic pin, a custom-made belt buckle or bracelet, and a canvas portrait of the 4-H Member to the family, as well as one to be displayed in the Extension Office common area. Gold Star Recipients are also recognized at the Annual District Gold Star Awards Banquet held in the Fall.
Danforth “I Dare You” Award – A Senior 4-H member (9th – 12th grade) who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and citizenship. Selection is based on Record Book placing and Participation Points.
Teen Leader Award – Recognizes 4-Hers who have led a project group or group activity as the project leader. This means they have assumed full leadership roles of a project group or activity without the continued supervision of an adult leader or project leader. The Teen Leader is nominated by the Adult Leader who leads the project.
Junior Leader Award – Recognizes 4-Hers who have assisted with a 4-H project group or activity.
Senior 4-H Award: 4-H hanging bags will be awarded to Senior 4-H members who have placed first at District or State contests. A 4-Her may receive this award once.
Gray County Extension Education Council Scholarship – A single scholarship, in the amount of $500, is issued to a graduating 4-H Member who has submitted a scholarship application. The application is reviewed and judged by a panel of individuals from outside the Extension and 4-H Program. The $500 is applied towards continuing education at the university of the recipient’s choice.
Parent – Leader Volunteer Awards
Outstanding Leader Award – The Gray County 4-H Youth Council selects up to two adult leaders to be recognized for volunteering their time, and providing leadership, organization skills, and knowledge to making 4-H in Gray County the best it can be.
Friend of 4-H – The Gray County 4-H Youth Council selects an individual, business, or organization who has made an outstanding contribution of time, service, or money to the 4-H program.