4-H MEMBERSHIP POLICY
Enrollment Deadline Policies
In general, youth members and volunteers may enroll in 4-H any time during the program year. However, please keep the following in mind:
- Youth MUST enroll by December 31st to be eligible to show at fair.
- Youth may not participate in any 4-H activities until they are fully enrolled in 4-H.
- Adult volunteers may not lead any activities until they are fully enrolled and APPROVED in 4-H.
- Some 4-H clubs, projects, and activities have limited space and enrollment is done on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you do not complete your enrollment in a timely manner you may lose your spot in your preferred group.
If you have any questions about the above, please contact the County 4-H Office at 209-385-7418.
Age Requirement Policies
Youth Membership Age Levels
There are different age levels of 4-H Youth Development Program (YDP) participation and involvement. Youth are eligible to participate in 4-H if they meet the following criteria:
- Junior (9-10 years old), Intermediate (11-13 years old), and Senior Members (14-19): Must be 9 years old by December 31st of the program year and may continue in the program until December 31st of the year in which they become 19 years of age.
- Primary (Clover Bud/Mini) Members: Must be 5 years old by December 31st of the program year. Youth enrolling or turning nine on or after January 1 must participate as a primary member until June 30th.
- Special Needs Members: Participants who are older than nineteen may be enrolled in 4-H special education programs with the approval of the county 4-H YDP staff. Please contact the Merced County 4-H Office at (209) 385-7418 to make the request.
Age Requirements for Adult Volunteers
- An individual must be 18 years or older to become a 4-H volunteer.
- An adult volunteer cannot simultaneously be a 4-H youth member.
- Depending on the roles and responsibilities of a volunteer position, additional age restrictions can be applied. Chaperone duties may be assigned to volunteers upon approval of the county 4-H YDP staff. Chaperones and Shooting Sports Instructors must be 21 or older. All volunteers who serve 4-H in any capacity (project leader, camp chaperone, driver, etc) must be enrolled as leaders to be covered by University of California liability insurance.
2025-2026 Enrollment Fees
4-H charges a per-person enrollment fee, which includes accident/illness insurance coverage for the individual while participating in 4-H activities.
| Total Fee | |
| Youth Member | $70.00 |
| Adult Volunteer | $30.00 |
Fee Waivers
4-H believes all youth should have access to our programs, regardless of financial circumstances. If enrollment fees present a barrier to participation, support may be available. If you are participating at the club level, please communicate with your Club Leader to request a fee waiver or reduction. If you are participating in countywide activities only, contact the Merced County 4-H Office for assistance and more information.
Membership or Project Participation Across Club/County/State Lines
Project Across Club/County/State Lines
If a particular project is not offered in a youth's home club, then they may take that project in a different club if they receive permission from the project leader, club leader, and county 4-H staff. To initiate this process, complete a Projects Across Club County or State Lines Form.
A youth may never take a project that is already offered in their home club at a different club. However, the member may change their home club if they so choose.
Request for 4-H Membership in a Neighboring County
In general, members should enroll in the 4-H program in the county they reside in. However, if there are circumstances that make a neighboring county's program a better fit for an individual they may receive permission from the 4-H staff in the two counties involved to enroll in the neighboring county. To initiate this process, complete a Request for 4-H Membership in a Neighboring County or State and submit the form to Merced County 4-H Office.