County, Regional & Statewide 4-H Opportunities for Youth

4-H Capital Days: This annual event in March gives youth an opportunity to meet and interact with legislators and tell their 4-H story, create an awareness of career opportunities in New York State Government, better understand state government, and network with delegates from other counties. Delegates are chosen by their county 4-H program. Open to enrolled 4-H members.

4-H Career Explorations is a three-day event for youth on the Cornell University campus. The purpose of this program is to provide youth with exposure to academic fields and career exploration, to develop leadership skills, to provide hands-on experience in a college setting and to introduce you to Cornell University. The event is made up of two grade specific tracts: University U for youth entering grades 8 - 9 and Focus for Teens for youth entering grades 10-12. Open to enrolled 4-H members.

4-H PRESENTATIONS (Public Speaking Program) - helps youth develop skills and confidence in organizing, preparing, and presenting a demonstration, speech, or dramatic interpretation. A 4-H project serves as the source of subject matter for a presentation. 4-H Public Presentations begin in March with county events. Youth give their presentations before a team of evaluators and an audience of peers. Selected traditional 4-H’ers go on to a regional event. From the regional event 4-H’ers age 13-19 may be chosen to participate in the state-wide public speaking event held at the New York State Fair. Open to enrolled 4-H members.

March Dog Madness - (Annually) is an annual conference for adult and teenage 4-H volunteer leaders. Workshops engage participants in science based information training. Current animal health, animal behavior, industry trends and youth development issues are addressed. Since 2002, guest presenters have included stakeholders, extension professionals, community and youth experts.

4-H SHOWCASE AT THE PUTNAM COUNTY COUNTRY FEST - (Annually, the last full weekend in July) The County Fair provides 4-H’ers with the opportunity to display project work, and demonstrate skills learned through project work. Exhibits show individual growth and accomplishment, provide social interaction and responsibility and encourage 4-H teamwork and family cooperation. Volunteers, ages 12+, are also needed during the Fair to sell refreshments (cotton candy, popcorn, hotdogs, ice cream), run games, help with arts & crafts and do face painting. 

NEW YORK STATE FAIR - Syracuse.
The objectives of 4-H members participating in the NYS Fair are as follows:

• to help youth learn standards of quality of project work
• to provide an additional opportunity of recognition of 4-H youth
• to promote an understanding of the 4-H Program by the public through the showcase of youth in action, as well as exhibits of their project work
• to provide teens with experiences for social interaction and development
•  to provide teens with a variety of activities that aid in the development of leadership skills responsibilities
• Teens can apply to be on the State Fair Teen Team
• Open to enrolled 4-H members only

PUTNAM COUNTY YOUTH FORUM

Online Teen Focused Workshops Designed for Students in Grades 9-12

The Putnam County Youth Forum is a collaborative, educational conference, for Putnam High School Students, hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County's 4-H Youth Development Program and the Putnam County Youth Bureau.

For 25 years, The Putnam County Youth Forum has been a day-long, school supported, educational field trip – held at a local community venue (Camp Herrlich in 2019), with approximately 130 Putnam High School students attending annually.

A variety of teen-focused online workshops, led by community professionals are offered at the event each year.

Putnam High School Students can attend the event and select workshops, based on the topics that interest them. All of the workshop topics were identified and selected by the student-led planning committee members which represent Brewster, Carmel, Haldane, Mahopac & Putnam Valley High Schools.

The State Teen Action Representative Retreat (STARR) is a three-day, fun-filled event in April where 4-H teens participate in a variety of workshops and activities meant to challenge, excite and further develop life skills. The event is planned by teens and adults serving on the youth/adult STARR planning committee.   

Location: New York State Fairgrounds- Syracuse, NY.

Last updated August 24, 2022