4-H or youth programs in Benewah County
4-H or youth programs
In 4-H, we are developing citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth through experiential learning and a positive youth development approach, with a focus on agriculture, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), civic engagement and healthy living.
Youth ages 5-18 in Benewah County can become a member of a 4-H club, attend a youth camp or a project camp, participate in an afterschool program and grow as leaders through district and statewide events and opportunities. Our programs are designed to spark curiosity and build lifelong skills — whether you’re new to 4-H, a returning member or an interested youth, there’s always something new to explore.
To learn more about 4-H in Idaho, visit the UI Extension 4-H Youth Development website.
Youth camps
We offer a variety of day camps and overnight camps related to specific topics. Youth do not have to be enrolled in 4-H to attend these camps. All camps are held at the Benewah County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact the UI Extension, Benewah County office at benewah@uidaho.edu or 208-245-2422 to learn more about our specific camp offerings.
What is 4-H?
4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, with over 6.5 million members nationwide — and thousands here in Idaho. In 4-H, children and teenagers build confidence and gain lifelong skills. Through hands-on learning in clubs, camps and community programs, Idaho youth explore their passions, connect with others and make a difference — in a safe, welcoming environment.
4-H clubs
4 H empowers young people with hands-on learning experiences to help them grow and thrive. The 4-H club is where youth learn or improve on life skills such as leadership, finance and public speaking, just to name a few. It is here that youth also participate in community service projects to the benefit of their community. The 4-H club is also where youth can make new friends and strive to become a better you.
Animal House
This club is based in St. Maries and offers the following projects:
- Beef: breeding and market
- Birds and poultry: market broilers and turkeys, family flock and pullets and laying hens
- Dairy cow
- Goat: breeding meat, dairy, market and pet/pygmy
- Rabbit: breeding, market and pet
- Sheep: breeding and market
- Swine: market.
Barnyard Brigades
This club is based in St. Maries and offers the following projects:
- Beef breeding and market
- Goat: market
- Sheep: breeding and market
- Swine: market
Dead-Eye Archery
This club is based in St. Maries and offers the following project:
- Archery
Fun Squad
This club is based in St. Maries and offers the following project:
- Cloverbud, cooking 101 and cooking 301
Harrison Explorers
This club is based in Harrison and offers the following projects:
- Beef: market
- Birds and poultry: family flock (pet) and market turkey
- Rabbit: breeding, pet and market
- Swine: market
- Veterinary science and cloverbud: poultry and rabbit
Harrison Livestock
This club is based in Harrison and St. Maries and offers the following projects:
- Beef: breeding and market
- Birds and poultry: market turkey
- Cat
- Goat: breeding meat and market
- Cloverbud: cat
- Arts: portfolio pathways and sketchbook crossroads
- Baking 1 and self-determined
High Country
This club is based in ???? and offers the following projects:
- Beef: market
- Birds and poultry: family flock (pet) and market turkey
- Rabbit: breeding, market and pet
- Sheep: market
- Swine: market
- Cloverbud: poultry, goat and rabbit
Lakeside Leaders
This club is based in Plummer and offers the following projects:
- Birds and poultry: family flock (pet)
- Cat
- Dog
- Goats: dairy and market
- Rabbit: market and pet
- Sheep: market
- Swine: market, cloverbud
- Outdoor adventure: hiking trails and camping adventures
Panhandle Panthers
This club is based in Plummer and St. Maries and offers the following projects:
- Beef: breeding and market
- Dairy cattle
- Swine: market
- Veterinary science and cloverbud
Small Stock Stars
This club is based in St. Maries and offers the following projects:
- Birds and poultry: family flock (pet), market broilers, market turkey, pullets and laying hens
- Rabbit: breeding, market and pet
- Cloverbud: poultry and rabbit
St Joe Adventures
This club is based in Calder and offers the following projects:
- Birds & poultry: family flock (pet) and pigeons and gamebirds
- Cat
- Goat: pey and pygmy
- Rabbit: pet
- Cloverbud and cloverbud/poultry
- Creative writing
- Photography basics and hiking trails
Projects
As part of a 4-H club, youth enroll in at least one project each year. As members gain experience, the depth of a project may increase, or additional projects may be selected. Projects are overseen by adult mentors who guide members in gaining knowledge and skills. Some project groups meet weekly, while others may meet once or twice a month. Completed projects are then showcased at local county fairs.
Agriculture projects
In Benewah County, many youth participate in horse, livestock or small animal projects to learn how to properly care for their animals and learn how to present them in public settings. 4-H members must make their own arrangements to keep and care for animals — animals are not provided by 4-H. With each project, youth can learn up-to-date industry standards of breeding, feeding and management practices.
The USDA Farm Service Agency offers a youth project loan program. Loans of up to $10,000 to eligible youth ages 10-20 are available to finance income-producing, agriculture-related projects.
STEM projects
4-H offers many projects related to science, technology, engineering and math, including robotics, drones, coding, financial literacy and 3-D printing.
Healthy living projects
Idaho’s 4-H healthy living projects help youth lead lives that balance physical, mental and emotional health. Projects related to healthy living include cooking, sewing, crafting, shooting sports, photography, food science and more.
Civic engagement and leadership projects
4-H civic engagement and leadership projects empower young people to be well-informed citizens who are actively engaged in their communities and the world. Youth have the opportunity to participate in Know Your Government, State Teen Association Convention and 4-H LEADS, among other opportunities.
Explore the full list of 4-H projects and contact our office to see which are offered in Benewah County.
How to join 4-H
- Contact the UI Extension, Benewah County office at benewah@uidaho.edu or 208-245-2422 to identify what clubs, projects or programs you are interested in.
- Our office will contact our club leaders to help place you in a 4-H club. If a club is already filled or if you don’t see projects you’re interested in already offered in Benewah County, we can help you start a new 4-H club.
- After receiving a confirmation of club placement, enroll for your selected club and project through our official membership platform, ZSuite.
- Pay enrollment fees online, in-person or via mail to the UI Extension, Benewah County office, 711 W Jefferson Ave., Suite 2, St. Maries, ID 83861. You can also pay over the phone with a credit/debit card.
Enrollment fees:
- $40 for regular members (youth ages 8-18, up to three projects)
- $42 for horse members (youth ages 8-18, up to three projects)
- $30 for Cloverbuds (youth ages 5-7)
- $3 per project for more than three projects
- $1 optional volunteer supplemental accident insurance
- $2 optional horse volunteer supplemental accident insurance.
If you are having difficulty paying the enrollment fee, please call us to set up a payment plan or submit a Benewah County 4-H enrollment scholarship application.
View the 4-H Family Handbook for more information on getting started with 4-H in Idaho.
Cloverbuds
Cloverbuds is an educational program designed to introduce children ages 5-7 to a variety of 4‑H project areas in a fun, non-competitive way. Cloverbuds are only allowed to show lap animals and are not able to participate in large animal, ATV or shooting sports projects. Fair exhibits by Cloverbuds are noncompetitive and are optional. Learn more about the Cloverbud program in Idaho.
Other ways to be involved
Below are various documents and forms that are specific to Benewah County for download. For statewide forms, please visit the UI Extension 4-H Youth Development website.
Download file includes links to individuals files listed below
Members
- Benewah County 4-H rules
- Beef growth chart
- Goat growth chart
- Sheep growth chart
- Swine growth chart
Volunteer
- Volunteer project listing
- Volunteer training documentation
4-H volunteers coordinate clubs, lead 4-H projects and help to plan and conduct local, regional, state and national 4-H events. Our volunteers are vital to the success of our programs. All 4-H volunteers are certified by UI Extension. Contact us at benewah@uidaho.edu or 208-245-2422 to request an application. The Benewah County 4-H Volunteer Council meets in the UI Extension office conference room at 711 W Jefferson Ave., Suite 2 in St. Maries.
Fair
- Benewah County junior show and sale rules