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Local 4-H Clubs & Programs

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4‑H clubs are ran by background checked, and trained adult community volunteers, Hudson County 4-H staff, and sometimes in partnership with community organizations. These programs aim to teach youth life skills around an array of project areas. The clubs are offered for Hudson County youth. Once youth are registered 4‑H members they are welcome to participate in county, state, and national 4‑H events.

If you are interested in starting a 4-H Club, please contact hudson4h@njaes.rutgers.edu.

ZSuite is our new registration system for Clubs/Programs. Please register your youth at https://4h.zsuite.org/ – Instructions for ZSuite

For High School Aged Students:

  • 4-H Teen Council, Grades 9th-12th – Club runs October-June
    • 4-H Teen Council meets once a month in-person to focus on community service projects in many areas! Opportunities for volunteer hours.
    • Program is currently at capacity.
  • World Food Prize/Global Food Security Coalition Club, Grades 9th-12th – Club runs January-March
    • Youth members will work with a team to develop individual research projects addressing global food security issues. Participants will meet once a week on Zoom with mentors and peers to prepare their research project. Projects will be presented at the Rutgers University Youth Institute Summit in March
    • Program is currently underway.
  • 4-H STEM Ambassadors, Grades 8th-12th – Program runs July-June
  • Youth Urban Farm Club, Ages 12-18 – Club runs June-August
    • This summer program is hosted at community garden and small urban farm sites and led by adult volunteers from the community. Youth will gain hands-on experience in a garden while also learning about food systems, the local environment, and more!
    • More about the club here
    • Applications for this program are closed and will open again in early 2025.
  • Dog Club, Grades 4th-8th – First sessions of the club will run May-June
    • This is a new club! Youth will learn dog training and showmanship while promoting responsible pet ownership. Youth members will build skills like responsibility, patience, and public speaking in a supportive environment, ensuring their dogs are happy, well-trained, and cherished. If your youth is in 4th-8th grade and brings their dog, we ask that a parent stays with them during the club meeting. Owning a dog is not required!
    • Registration is on our new registration system, ZSuite. Link to https://4h.zsuite.org/.
  • Sustainability Ambassadors, Grades 9th-12th
    • Teens will have an opportunity to explore sustainable development goals, sustainable food systems, consumption and waste, climate action, and more while gaining a deep understanding of the intersections of sustainability in everyday life, local communities, and globally by participating in virtual and in-person learnings, site visits, and field trips. During the summer, youth will complete 10 volunteer hours at the Hudson County 4-H Youth Urban Farm Club or site of their choosing in Hudson County and design a sustainability or climate action plan as a final project. Those who complete the program will earn a Rutgers Sustainability Ambassadors certificate and $100 gift card.
    • This program is thanks to a partnership between Hudson County 4-H and the Hudson County Improvement Authority.
    • This program is closed and will open again TBD.

For Middle School Aged Students:

  • Youth Urban Farm Club, Ages 12-18 – Club runs June-August
    • This summer program is hosted at community garden and small urban farm sites and led by adult volunteers from the community. Youth will gain hands-on experience in a garden while also learning about food systems, the local environment, and more!
    • More about the club here
    • Applications for this program are closed and will open again in early 2025.
  • Dog Club, Grades 4th-12th – First sessions of the club will run May-June
    • This is a new club! Youth will learn dog training and showmanship while promoting responsible pet ownership. Youth members will build skills like responsibility, patience, and public speaking in a supportive environment, ensuring their dogs are happy, well-trained, and cherished. If your youth is in 4th-8th grade and brings their dog, we ask that a parent stays with them during the club meeting. Owning a dog is not required!
    • Registration is on our new registration system, ZSuite. Link to https://4h.zsuite.org/.
  • 4-H and FBCJC Youth Birding Club, Grades 4th-8th – Club generally runs April-June; October-November
    • Youth will gain skills to identify birds in their neighborhood and learn about their importance of biodiversity while enjoying the outdoors.
    • Not currently running. Will return Spring 2025!
  • Computer Science Club, Grades 4th-8th – Club runs February-April; October-December
    • Sessions run for 10 weeks. Located at the Jersey City Public Library Five Corners Branch, students will expose young learners to the wonders of coding, computer science, and more fun! Registration is required, please see Ms. Claire or Ms. Jessica at Five Corners Branch to register. Five Corners Branch Website
    • Not currently running. Will return Spring 2025!
  • Lincoln Middle School Garden Club in Kearny, School-based
  • Tomorrow’s Future Club in Jersey City, Community Center-based

For Adults Volunteers:

  • Hudson County 4-H Advisory Board, Adult Volunteers
    • 10 meetings a year which alternate between Zoom and in-person, generally on a Thursday evening.
    • Members may include 4-H Leaders, community volunteers and parents. Some of their goals are the planning and conducting of county-wide programs and activities, fundraising to support 4-H programs and scholarships, and supporting the efforts of all 4-H’ers in the County.
    • If you are interested in joining, please email us at hudson4h@njaes.rutgers.edu.