Want to get started in 4-H?
Check out the information
below on how to join.

I want to enroll in an existing club:

1. Find a club!
   1. • Locate a club in Hidalgo County!
      • Contact the club manager. Use the  2023-2024 Club Manager Directory  to email your manager with questions on meeting  time/dates.
      • You may contact the County Extension office for specific club details or questions.

I want to start a New 4-H Club:

1. Contact the Hidalgo County Extension office at (956) 383-1026 to schedule an interview with the 4-H Agent.
2. Each club must be chartered. Every club/group must submit an online chartering application through the Texas 4-H Online system (It will show up as an EVENT under ADULT profiles called: 23-24 CLUB ESTABLISHMENT AND CHARTERING). The adult who will be the club’s manager must fill out the chartering paperwork to begin the process. Download this 2023-2024 Charter Instructions to help guide you on the steps/documentation needed for your charter application.
3. Obtain an EIN and open a bank account for the club.
4. Once your club is chartered and approved, you must enroll at least 5 youth. Families may enroll using 4-H Online.
5. Recruit other adult volunteers to be co-managers and project leaders. Club managers, project leaders, and adult volunteers must pay a $10 background screening fee annually on 4-H Connect when they enroll.
6. All managers, project leaders, and adult volunteers must complete a Child Protection Training every 2 years.
7. If an adult works with youth OTHER THAN THEIR OWN CHILDREN, they MUST register on 4-H Connect as an adult volunteer, pay the screening fee, and complete the Child Protection training every 2 years.
8. Utilize our Club Manager’s trainings, Project Leader trainings, and other Extension programs to familiarize yourself with 4-H. Check out our 4-H Calendar for upcoming trainings!
9. Welcome to 4-H!

Types of Clubs:

There are different types of 4-H clubs you can start/join. Please read the descriptions below to see which club will fit your needs:

Traditional Club

• Consists of members in a community or neighborhood. Traditional clubs participate in a wide variety of 4-H projects and may contain several projects groups. Traditional clubs are long-term clubs and meet regularly over a period of 9-12 months with one or more club meetings each month.

Project Clubs

• Consists of members in a community or neighborhood conducting the same project. Project clubs have one main project area and may conduct other related projects. Project clubs are long-term and meet regularly over a period of 9-12 months with one or more club meetings each month.

Special Interest Club or “SPIN” Club

• Consists of members in a community or neighborhood conducting the same project. SPIN clubs differ from Project Clubs in that they are short-term clubs and may be active for only a few months out of the year. SPIN clubs do not require club officers.

School Club

• Consists of members who attend the same school.  Members attend 4-H club meetings within a school and are managed by teachers or other volunteers. Schools can participate in different projects or the same project.

Contact Us:

We are here to help! The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is open Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm (Except for Hidalgo County Holidays). Walk-ins welcome or please call to make an appointment as needed.

Address:
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
410 N. 13th Ave.
Edinburg, Texas 78541
Phone: 956-383-1026
Fax: 956-383-1735