2025-2026 enrollment will open July 15th!
Make a difference as a 4-H volunteer!
4-H youth are leaders. They pursue their passions. They are critical thinkers and problem solvers. We need adult volunteers like you to mentor 4-H youth, lead local 4-H clubs, provide administrative support, share your expertise with 4-H youth, evaluate 4-H competitions, support 4-H'ers as they plan and execute activies. And so much more! Talk to your club leader for available roles in at the club leve. YOU are the key to their success! No experience necessary - we'll train you.
You must be at least 18 years old; 4-H chaperones must be 25 years old.
2025-2026 4-H Adult Volunteer Initial Appointment Process
Who should follow this process: California Adult Volunteers who are starting their first year of service or are returning after a break in service of a year or more.
All 4-H adult volunteers must apply and be appointed annually. Please follow the steps below to apply to be a 4-H adult volunteer.
STEP 1: Complete the 4-H Adult Volunteer Interest Survey.
- All new 4-H volunteers must go through a screening process. Our #1 priority in 4-H is the safety of young people. We do all we can to protect young people and keep them safe while they are in our care. An important part of providing a safe environment is to conduct background checks on our volunteers and staff. Everyone that will be spending an extended time with our 4-H youth is screened. When you become a 4-H volunteer, you are part of the plan to keep our young people safe.
- One-on-one interview may be required based on Interest Survey responses (will be notified by county-based staff or club volunteer).
STEP 2. Complete DOJ/FBI Live Scan clearance. Form will be emailed to you after the above steps have been completed.
- You can find a location on your own and complete Form 8.9 and submit with your receipt (do not include Live Scan Request Form) for reimbursement (up to $35) to the County 4-H Treasurer.
- If you are in East County, you can schedule an appointment with Diablo Live Scan (Antioch and Brentwood locations) and let them know Brenda with the 4-H Office sent you and they will bill me directly.
STEP 3. Complete required New Volunteer course in Campus Extension.
- All new 4-H volunteers are required to take the New Volunteer Training online courses in the Campus Extension system before they become approved as volunteers. This interactive training series introduces you to the best practices in positive youth development that are used in 4-H.
- Once logged in to course, use enrollment key to access the courses.
- If above link does not take you directly to the new volunteer course: Once logged in, click on 4-H & Youth, then 4-H: California, scroll down and click on “2025-2026 California New Volunteer Course-English” and use enrollment key to access the courses. The course will take approximately 1.5 - 2 hours and do not need to be completed in one sitting. They will pick up where you left off when you return.
- Course Lessons:
- 4-H Orientation Course (40 minutes)
- 2-Deep Supervision Policy (5 minutes)
- CANRA for Volunteers (30 minutes)
- 4-H Thriving Model of PYD (15 minutes)
- 4-H Vision and Impact (5 minutes)
- Certificate of Completion (1 minute)
STEP 4. Create a profile and submit 4-H adult volunteer application in ZSuite.
- Please note that the email address you enter in the family email is the primary way you will receive communications from 4-H. After creating your profile, please check your family email for information on next steps to becoming an approved volunteer. If you do not receive an email, please verify that the email entered in the enrollment system is correct and notify your County 4-H Representative.
STEP 5. Submit your program enrollment fees.
- Program fees must be paid online using a credit card.
- Contra Costa County 4-H 2025-2026 Adult Volunteer Enrollment Fees are $30.
Once all the above has been completed, the application is reviewed by 4-H staff and the county director.
- If approved, notification of your 4-H adult volunteer appointment will be sent from the enrollment system. If no email address is available a letter will be sent by mail from the county director.
- If there are any limitations on the appointment, a subsequent letter will be sent from the county director.
- If not approved, a letter will be sent to the applicant from the county director.
Once you are approved, the fun begins! Thank you for joining our 4-H family!