SWEETWATER COUNTY — In an effort to encourage Sweetwater County residents interested in joining 4-H to sign up early, Sweetwater County 4-H is now offering free enrollment.

This is just one way for Sweetwater County Clubs to celebrate National 4-H week. Sweetwater County 4-H Educator Marty Henry said through Saturday, October 10, enrollment is free for children who want to become 4-H members and for adult volunteers and club leaders. After October 11, those still interested can register for half price through October 31 for children and adults.

Henry said there are three types of 4-H members; Clover Buds, who are between 5 and 7 years old, regular 4-H members, who are between 8 and 18 years old, and adult leaders and volunteers who are over 18 years old.

The regular cost is $20 per child. To enroll in 4-H, residents can go to the website https://4h.zsuite.org/ Children are placed in different 4-H clubs based on their interests and were they live.

We just kind of use this week to celebrate and try to promote enrollment as much as we possibly can to try to get kids involved as quickly as we can.

~ Sweetwater County 4-H Educator Marty Henry

So far, about 15 children have registered for 4-H. Last year, Sweetwater County had 275 4-H members and 60 adult leaders and volunteers.

The enrollment fees help pay for 4-H members’ trips to the State fair or national events they may want to attend. It also covers the cost of most workshops and other opportunities 4-H provides.

While 4-H is usually known for the animals members show at the Sweetwater County Fair, Henry said there is so much more to 4-H. From gardening and cooking, arts and woodworking, to LEGO building and shooting challenges, 4-H has a lot to offer. Henry said a lot of people don’t know small animals such as rabbits, cats, and dogs can also be shown at the fair through 4-H.

“4-H is a learning with your hands program,” Henry said. “4-H is not even close to being just about kids that live on ranches. Now it’s even maybe more focused on urban kids…”

She said if a child is interested in a certain project and the 4-H program doesn’t have one already, they will create one.

National 4-H Week (October 4-10)

Throughout this week, Sweetwater County 4-H has been inviting members to participate in fun activities to celebrate.

October 7: 4-H Member Leadership Day: Give credit to 4-H members who have helped the 4-H program. 4-H members are encouraged to post or share a short description on the Sweetwater County 4-H’s Facebook page about how another member assisted them and what that assistance meant. The 4-H member who receives the most recognition will receive either a free T-shirt or a $20 gift card.

October 8: Trivia Day: Three different 4-H trivia questions will be posted on the county’s 4-H Facebook page. Those who answer one correctly will receive a prize. Those who answer all three correctly will receive a prize and free T-shirt. All answers must be submitted through private message so correct answers aren’t given away.

October 8: 4-H Leader and Volunteer Day: 4-H members are encouraged to post or share a photo or written shout out on the Sweetwater County 4-H’s Facebook page about how a 4-H leader or volunteer made an impact on their club. The 4-H leader or volunteer who receives the most recognition will receive either a free T-shirt or a $20 gift card.

October 9: Clubs Promoting 4-H Day: 4-H members are encouraged to post to the county’s Facebook page a picture of their club promoting 4-H during this year’s National 4-H Week. Examples are completing a community service project or painting businesses’ windows with 4-H recognition. The winning club will receive a pizza party.