How to Be a 4-H Camp Volunteer

The 4-H community involves nearly 7 million youth nationwide in dynamic, non-formal educational opportunities. Volunteers provide the backbone for the program by planning, coordinating and staffing all kinds of events. If you want to become a 4-H camp volunteer, read the following steps to understand the general process, but check with your regional 4-H group or camp for its specific procedures and requirements.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Browse the Cooperative Extension Office website for links to your state and regional 4-H communities and their camps.

2. Decide if you want a direct or indirect volunteer role. Direct roles work directly with youth and require special training.

3. Choose the 4-H camp where you want to volunteer. Different camps serve different age groups, provide different activities and require different time commitments including days of the year and hours per day.

4. Provide your work and volunteer history and references. List any special skills or expertise you possess that could be utilized by the camp, such as talents in the fields of carpentry, technology, photography, writing, food service and foreign languages.

5. List any medical conditions that may require accommodation during training or your time at the 4-H camp. Submit to a background check and prepare to disclose any criminal convictions.

6. Participate in face-to-face interviews, orientation sessions and training programs for volunteers. Training topics will likely include an introduction to 4-H, specifics about your county's program, child abuse prevention, risk management, positive youth development and teaching techniques and tools.

Resources

• Find your nearest Cooperative Extension System Office from the national site.
• Find a variety of resources for 4-H volunteers at the 4-H Volunteers resource site.