Your 4-H Adventure Starts Here! | UGA Extension Forsyth County

If your family is like mine, September means that we are finally getting back into our school year schedule. With a new school year comes lots of new opportunities for students to learn new skills and discover activities they are passionate about. For families in Forsyth County, 4-H is ready to make 2026-2027 a year full of hands-on experiences, new friendships, and opportunities to grow.

Two students sitting at a table working on a craft project. — Cloverbuds members create bird feeders to hang at home as they learn about birds and their habitats. Photo by MaKenzie Leatherwood

So, what does 4-H look like for a student in Forsyth County? The answer is different for every young person. Some 4-H members are looking for a place to make friends and try something new. Others have a specific interest they want to explore or a skill they want to develop. Some are ready to take the stage and share what they know, while others want to get outside, compete as part of a team, or make a difference in their community. That is one of the things I love most about 4-H: there is not just one way to be a 4-H member.

Here are some of the opportunities Forsyth County 4-H has planned for the 2026-2027 school year:

Cloverbuds: Aquanauts
Cloverbuds is a special club for K–3rd grade students that meets on the second Monday of each month from 5:30-6:30 PM at the local Extension office. This year, students are invited to dive into the exciting underwater world of the ocean through hands-on activities and exploration. Annual registration is $50.

Two students painting a white four-leaf clover on to a vibrantly colored bee house — Junior Naturalists paint colorful designs on pollinator nesting boxes. These boxes will be set out in Master Gardener gardens to house solitary native bees through the winter. Photo by Heather Haines

4-H Community Club: Your Monthly 4-H Connection
Held the second Monday of each month from 7–8 PM at the 4-H Office, Community Club is open to all 4th–12th graders in Forsyth County. This free club keeps youth informed about upcoming events and offers while exploring different topics, participating in service projects, developing leadership skills, and building friendships.

Junior Naturalists Club
For students who love being outside, Junior Naturalist is an opportunity to explore the natural world through hands-on activities and outdoor experiences. This is a great fit for young people who are curious about wildlife, plants, conservation, and the environment. Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month from 6–7 PM, September-March. Locations vary from month to month to help introduce students to various ecosystems within Forsyth County. The annual registration fee is $30.

4-H Discovery Club

Our new 4-H Discovery Club is designed for 4th-6th graders who are ready to discover what 4-H is all about. Led with the help of teen 4-H members, the club will give students opportunities to try different activities, learn new skills, and discover interests they may want to pursue further. Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month. Annual registration is $25.

Three students sitting around a table writing on a clipboard for Forestry Judging. — Forsyth County 4-H’ers examine leaf samples as part of the Area Forestry Judging Contest. Through judging competitions, youth develop their knowledge, critical thinking skills, and ability to make informed decisions. Photo by Heather Haines

Judging Teams
For students who enjoy competition, teamwork, and putting their knowledge to the test, 4-H judging teams offer another way to get involved. Members learn about a specific subject, practice making decisions and evaluating information, and compete as individuals and teams. Forsyth County 4-H currently offers four judging teams for local youth in 4^th-12^th grade: Forestry, Wildlife, Consumer, and Poultry.

Project Achievement

Through Project Achievement, 4-H’ers choose a topic they are passionate about, research and develop their knowledge, create a presentation, and build the confidence to share it with others.

For 4th-6th graders, Cloverleaf Project Achievement provides an introduction to this experience. Students write and present a 3-5 minute oral presentation to a set of judges. Registration will open for their activity in December.

A student holding a piece of cotton and a sign that says "Cotton's got Talent" — As part of the Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Contest, 4-H’ers create a 30- to 90-second public service announcement about the many uses of cotton. This student chose a game show theme for their PSA, “Cotton’s Got Talent.” Photo by Heather Haines

Older 4-H’ers in 7^th-12^th grade can participate in Junior and Senior Project Achievement, taking their projects and presentation skills to the next level. This is a great way for students to learn skills that help make them career ready, in a fun and supportive environment. The season is already underway, but it is not too late to join us on the Road to Project Achievement as 4-H’ers continue to work on their Project Achievement Portfolios.

4-H is not one program. It is a collection of opportunities that young people can grow into as their interests and confidence change. You do not have to know which 4-H opportunity is right for your child before you get started. Maybe your child loves animals. Maybe they are always asking questions about the outdoors. Maybe they enjoy speaking in front of a group, or maybe they would rather work behind the scenes with a team. Maybe they simply want to meet new friends and try something different. Wherever their interests lead, 4-H can help them turn curiosity into confidence.

This school year, I invite you to come see what 4-H has to offer. Try something new. Find a new interest. Meet new people. Most importantly, find an opportunity that helps your child discover what they can do.

A teacher assisting a student who is riding a stationary bike. — Homeschool Club members learn about nutrition and the importance of physical activity while making smoothies with the 4-H Blender Bike. Photo by Heather Haines

To register or learn more about Forsyth County 4-H programs, visit https://tinyurl.com/foco4hevents, contact the Extension Office at 770-887-2418, or email forsythcounty4h@uga.edu. Forsyth County 4-H is proudly supported by The University of Georgia, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, Forsyth County Board of Education, and community donors.