For 4-H Volunteers & Leaders

New Member Enrollment 

Community Club enrollment for 2025-2026 is over. Check back October 1, 2026, for enrollment for 2026-2027.

Contact our office for questions about Group Enrollment. This is primarily for schools and organizational use. 

Starting a Club

Are you thinking about starting a 4-H club but not sure where to start and wondering if you have the time and know-how? Then this section is for you. Our 4-H Program Coordinator, Sara Snarr, can guide you through the process and help you get started and lead your club with confidence. 

There are two types of 4-H clubs. Some clubs specialize in one topic like horse clubs, robotics clubs, and cosplay sewing clubs. In contrast, general interest clubs explore a variety of topics and activities and offer a great option for youth with wide interests and passions. The youths you are working with will help you decide which kind of club will be the best fit. Once you have an idea of what your club will focus on, then we can help you figure out how to run a meeting and what to do during club time together. 

Several fantastic free curriculum resources are listed below under Helpful Websites. You do not need to come up with activity ideas all by yourself. Let your club members tell you what they would like to learn about, and then we can help you find appropriate activities to meet their interests. 

When you decide to start a club, you will meet with Sara for orientation, complete required paperwork and training, and receive a binder of resources. All leaders and club volunteers interacting with youth need to complete a basic background check and a brief annual sexual harassment training. If you may be driving club members or 4-H equipment, then a motor vehicle report is also required.

We hold an annual leader's night each fall to network with other club leaders, share ideas and resources, and get training updates. Other training opportunities are held throughout the year. The time commitment varies depending on what type of club you are running. A leader can run a general interest club in as little as an hour or two of preparation for each meeting, and most clubs meet once each month. We are just an email or phone call away when questions come up at any time. 

Leader Resources

Leaders! We appreciate all that you do for the youth in Monroe County!! Below is a list of some important forms as well as some resources that you might find beneficial. If you have any questions or would like to share a resource with other leaders, call the 4-H office at 585-753-2577 or contact Sara Snarr, our 4-H Program Coordinator. She is your first stop with any 4-H questions. 

Helpful Documents

Contact the office for a copy of the following important and helpful documents:

• Leaders Handbook
• CCE Youth Protection Guidelines for all.pdf 
• Year End Financial Statement due annually on September 30
• Club Completion Sheet used to track youth project efforts
• Club Planning Calendar

Leaders are also required to complete an annual Sexual Harassment Prevention Training and submit related documentation. Please contact the office if you need more information about this requirement. 

Helpful Websites

These sites offer a wealth of information ranging from important policies, research-supported strategies for working with young people, and meeting/activity plans on a wide variety of topics. If you are looking for something specific and can't find it, reach out to us. The various curricula sites offer tons of hands-on project-based learning activities suitable for the club setting. 

• NYS 4-H Resources
• Positive Youth Development: What is PYD?
• National 4-H Council
• Utah's free Discover 4-H curriculum
• Minnesota's free high-quality curriculum
• Cornell eCommons 4-H Youth Development curriculum

Last updated July 27, 2026