General Information

Some 4-H Clubs are neighborhood or community-centered groups. Other clubs offer special interest projects in one club that serves any interested member from the county.

To organize a group in your neighborhood or school, call the 4-H office for a volunteer application.

Any child is eligible for 4-H membership who meets the age requirements - at least 8 years and not more than 18 years on January 1 of the current year.

To participate in one of the project clubs listed, you may call the office (610-690-2655) for more information. Many clubs have limited enrollment periods.

To join, the parent and child must complete an enrollment form and a health form plus pay a $10 annual fee for Educational Materials. If the $10 fee per club would prevent you from participating in 4-H activities, please call the 4-H office to inquire about a waiver.

Printable Club Brochure (PDF)

Delaware County 4-H Office
Penn State Cooperative Extension
Smedley Park, 20 Paper Mill Rd.
Springfield, PA 19064
610-690-2655
e-mail: DelawareExt@psu.edu

Location

4-H Farm and Educational Center
Garrett Williamson Foundation
395 Bishop Hollow Road
Newtown Square, PA

NOTE: Except for public events, the 4-H Center is restricted to members who are participating in scheduled 4-H activities.

Directions

From the intersection of Rt. 3 and Rt. 252, proceed west on Rt. 3 to the first traffic light; turn left on Bishop Hollow Road. Follow Bishop Hollow Road for approximately 1.5 miles. Watch for the sign for Garrett Williamson Foundation - after the sign, turn right on the following driveway and proceed to the large bank barn.

Parking is available near the barn, or if that area is full, proceed up the driveway past the barn and park on the lawn between the driveway and the fields. DO NOT park where places are marked "Resident Only."

The meeting room is on the ground level of the barn, inside the rolling doors.

The phone number for the 4-H Center is 610-356-6210, for emergency use only. No staff is present at this number for general information.

How to Become a Delaware County 4-H Member

• Visit a club meeting or read all about the county clubs.
• Please bring all the forms listed below with you to your new club meeting. (Note - you may print these forms by clicking on the links in the list below.)
• All members must register every year when the club reorganizes.
• Clubs reorganize on varying schedules. Please check the club descriptions to learn when new members are enrolled.

Forms required for 4-H Club new enrollment or returning member enrollment in Delaware County

• Penn State 4-H Enrollment Form
  Check that all items are complete, including signatures of parent and member.
  Members keep the sheet labeled Behavioral Expectations.
• Skills for Everyday Living Survey - completed by the member (click here for this form)
• Volunteer information sheet - completed by the parent/guardian (click here for this form)
• Some projects required additional forms. Example: livestock, Seeing Eye Puppies, Veterinary Science

Fee required of all club members

• $10 per member to cover the Penn State Educational Materials Fee (Cash or checks payable to Delaware County 4-H)
• Additional fees and/or dues may be required, depending the project or activity. Check with your club leader.

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4-H Clubs

4-H Cooperative Livestock Clubs

Cooperative livestock projects (market lambs and hogs; breeding sheep; poultry -laying hens, meat chickens, heritage chickens or turkeys, Thanksgiving turkeys and beef) enable members to share the chores and expense of projects at the 4-H farm. Some projects provide members with cash proceeds of sales, some with meat or eggs for their families.

Prospective Cooperative Livestock project members in Delaware County must attend an orientation session on January 19, 2010 (7:30 – 9:00 PM at the 4-H Center) to participate in raising market lambs/hogs or poultry projects during 2010. Enrollment in selected projects is due at the February meeting of the appropriate club, as listed below: (all clubs meet from 7:30 – 9:00 PM).

Beef and Sheep Club – first Tuesday
Poultry Club – second Tuesday
Pig Club – fourth Tuesday

Dairy Club

Meets on the third Thursday of the month year round (7:30—9:00 PM). The club provides members with an opportunity to participate in seasonal care and showing of dairy heifers, and judging contests. In addition, members learn about the dairy industry. New members may join this club at any time.

4-H Garden Club

Meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from February through August. The club provides members with an opportunity to garden in a vegetable garden plot at the 4-H Center and/or to grow vegetables at home. Registrations for 2010 accepted at the February 25 meeting. Call the 4-H office for new member paperwork or more information.

New! 4-H Dog Club

4-H Archery Club

Meets every Monday from November through April, 5:30 – 6:30 PM at Middletown Archery. Instruction is given by a qualified instructor at a minimal cost per session. All necessary equipment is provided. New members are accepted in November. Members must take one private lesson before participating in meetings. Advance registration is required; please call the 4-H office.

Sewing Clubs

There is one active sewing club, and more can be organized to serve additional children. Please call the 4-H office to inquire about opportunities to participate in 4-H sewing programs.

Horse And Pony Clubs

Clubs for children interested in horses meet on Wednesday nights each month. These clubs offer educational opportunities about horses, horse science, horse-related careers and horsemanship. The second Wednesday is a meeting for children 8—10 years; the last Wednesday of the month is for children 11—18 years. Both meetings are held at the 4-H Center, from 7:15 – 8:30 PM. New members are accepted in Sept and Oct only, and can include children who will be eight before 1/1/10.
Alternate club opportunities are available for members who own or lease their own horse. Call the office for details.

4-H Staff offer lessons and riding opportunities at the 4-H Center. Enrollment for lessons is separate from club membership. Call the 4-H office or click here for the current horse brochure.

4-H Teen Council

Meets the second Thursday of the month at the 4-H Center from 7:30 - 9:00 PM. Any teen, 13 - 18 (as of 1/1/10) may join. Members socialize with peers while improving their skills in leadership, communication, group organization, citizenship and service to others. Activities include group trips, service projects, camp counselor opportunities, regional, state and national 4-H events.

4-H Veterinary Science Club

Meets the first Thursday of the month (Sept – June) 7:00 - 8:30 PM at the
4-H Center. Members explore pet care, the fundamentals of animal health, veterinary medical careers and participate in field trips and service projects. New members are accepted in Sept and Oct only, and can include children who will be eight before 1/1/10.

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