Youth 5K through 2nd grade enroll in 4-H as a Cloverbud. The Cloverbud program is an informal educational program specifically designed for children in 5k – 2nd grades.

• Cloverbud activity plans can be found on the Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Cloverbud Project page. 
• Youth enrolled as Cloverbuds exhibit their projects at the Waukesha County Fair. 248 projects were exhibited by junior 4-H exhibitors at the Fair.

Youth 3rd grade through one year out of high school enroll as 4-H youth members.

• 4-H members choose from over 100 different types of projects. (There are a few limitations for youth younger than 12, for example, shooting sports is for youth 12 and up.)
• Youth enrolled in 4-H can exhibit their projects at the Waukesha County Fair. In 2024, 1,389 projects were exhibited by 4-H youth members at the Fair.

If there is not a project leader available, most projects can be completed independently. The youth use 4-H literature and other resources to learn about and complete their project without meetings or 4-H volunteer leadership. Support from the Extension Educator is available.

Countywide projects are organized by Extension staff or approved 4-H volunteers for the benefit of all 4-H youth in Waukesha County with meetings open to everyone in the County.  

Club led projects are organized by a leader within a 4-H Community Club for youth in that specific 4-H club. Meetings for club projects are promoted within the club. If you would like more information about community clubs offering projects, please contact James Boling at James.boling@wisc.edu.