FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

When can we join 4H?

The 4H year starts on July 1st and ends on June 30th. Murrieta Mustangs open new enrollment in May for the following year.  That way everyone is ready to get started on July 1st.   Murrieta Mustangs close club enrollment the first week in March.  By March the majority of our projects are coming to an end for the year or are at a point that new members would be unable to complete the project.

 When & Where are 4H meetings held?  Our Community meeting is held the first Wednesday of each month at the Brunswick Cal Oaks Bowl 40440 California Oaks Rd. Murrieta CA. 92562 at 6pm.                    

Project meetings are held throughout the month at different locations.

Meetings:  The community meeting is where the business of the club takes place each month.  These meetings are required for 4H members.  The meetings are run by the youth board of officers.  Officers, teen and jr. leaders give reports; old and new business is discussed.  This is where the members learn about Robert’s Rules of order, running a business meeting, making motions, giving reports, etc…..                                                                      Project meetings are held at different times depending on the needs of the project.  They are usually held at the project leader’s home.  A project is required to meet a minimum of 6 times in a year.  Most of these meetings last an hour but that can vary.  Most projects meet monthly.  There may be more meetings if a project is preparing to go to the fair or planning a special event. Members must attend 80% of the project meetings to complete the project.  Members should not sign up for more projects than they can attend in a given month.

Project:  A project is an opportunity to have fun while learning life skills.  The projects offered each year vary and depend on the interest of the members and the availability of volunteer leaders.  Check out our current Projects

How old do you have to be?  4H is open to youth ages 5yrs to 19yrs. old.  Members 5-8years are considered primary members and there are some restriction on their participation.

What is a Primary Member?  Primary members are between the ages of 5 years and 8 years.  Primary members are not allowed to participate in large animal projects.  Primary members are allowed and encourage to enter county fairs and county contests however they are not awarded metals and/or stars for participation.  While they are primary members they receive participation ribbons and other awards.  Primary members are strongly encouraged to participate in the primary project during their first year.  The primary project is an introduction to what 4H has to offer and what is expected and required of 4H members. (This project is an excellent resource for parents as well)

Do you have to live on a farm?  No, 4H members can live in a rural or urban setting; they can live in apartments, houses or on farms and ranches.

4H is not based on animals. Members do not have to have animals to participate in animal projects. Not all projects involve animals. See the project list.

Do you have to have large animals?  No.  Some 4H members raise large animals for showing or market animals but you are not required to keep large animals.

Does 4H provide animals for you to work with? 4H does not provide animals for the members.  When you are part of an animal project the project leader can help you locate a project animal.  The cost and responsibility for the animal is the member’s.

What does it cost to enroll in the club?
The annual enrollment fee is $35 per member, $10 per adult volunteer.       This enrollment fee covers the cost of insurance and state/county programs.  $5 dollars of the enrollment fee stays with the club to cover administrative costs.   The insurance covers your 4H member during all 4H meetings and outings.

Are there other costs/fees involved?  When you enroll in the club you will be given the choice to participate in an annual fundraiser or to pay monthly dues.  The monthly dues are $5 per month, per member.  The fundraiser is a club event and the money raised goes to the general fund to cover expenses of providing programs for your member.  If you choose to do the fundraiser and then do not participate you will be expected to pay the dues owed.
Other costs may be associated with individual projects.  Each project submits a budget to the board.  There may be costs involved in the projects not covered by the budget.  In that case the members may be asked to share the costs or do a small fundraiser.  Example:  The rabbit group wants put on a rabbit show.  They may decide to hold a petting zoo to raise needed funds to host a rabbit show.