Volunteer

How to Volunteer with San Diego County 4-H

We hope you'll be a part of extension as a 4-H volunteer. As a volunteer, you will partner with youth to discover their passions, adopt a growth mindset, practice self-reflection and set goals.  4-H projects and programs are focused around the core content of citizenship, healthy living, and science, engineering, and technology using a "learn-by-doing" educational model. Our mission is to help youth to succeed and thrivewhile advancing academic knowledge in positive youth development.

You can find resources for leading 4-H Projects at: Training Modules

You can find safety information at ANR Environmental Health and Safety 4-H Resources.

Think about participating in the 3-day State 4-H Leaders' Forum!

New 4-H Volunteer Orientation

To prepare new leaders to carry out their role as volunteers and agents of the University, they are to complete an orientation through their county 4-H office staff. Please check with your office regarding the requirements to become a 4-H volunteer. The orientation includes a twenty-seven minute video that is available as a DVD through your office, as well as online at 4-H Volunteer Orientation.

To supplement this video, a seventeen-page training guide with interactive group sessions is available in staff resources. This guide helps increase understanding and knowledge of adult leadership and positive youth development. The sessions are designed to be conducted in-person, with the entire series approximately two hours in length.

More information can be provided by Quang "Hogan" Tong at the San Diego County office by calling 858-614-7605 or emailing at qtong@ucdavis.edu

4-H YDP Volunteers are appointed by the County Director. The decision to appoint or not appoint a volunteer (whether initially or upon renewal) rests with the County Director, in consultation with appropriate 4-H staff. All appointments are made for the best interest of the 4-H Youth Development Program and 4-H members.

Adults are eligible to participate in 4-H if they are 18 years of age or older. A volunteer cannot simultaneously be a 4-H member. Chaperones must be 21 years of age or older (county age requirement may differ).

The Adult Enrollment Form - English (PDF)/Adult Enrollment Form - English (Word) or the Adult Enrollment Form - Spanish (PDF)/Adult Enrollment Form - Spanish (Word) is used for adults in organized 4-H clubs and camps, and any other time where an adult will have direct contact with 4-H youth. Payment is required to enroll in 4-H for program fees and 4-H accident/sickness insurance.