4-H Achievement Ladder Award Program

Leadership life skills include: understanding self, communicating, getting along with others, learning to learn, decision making/problem solving, managing, & working with groups.

Basic requirements as a prerequisite to the achievement ladder award program is 4-H members must attend a minimum of 60% of 4-H club meetings, learn the 4-H pledge, learn the 4-H motto, and complete at least one 4-H project each year. -managing

Level One - Green Clover (anticipated age, 8 or 9)

Complete at least two of the following tasks:

1. Present a visual presentation related to a project at a club meeting. - communicating
2. Help with a club 4-H activity or event - working with groups
3. Attend at least one 4-H county activity or event - working with group
4. Host a meeting or provide refreshments or lead a game or give a report - working with groups

Level Two - White Clover (anticipated age, 10 or 11)

Complete at least three of the following tasks:

1. Present a visual presentation related to a project at a club meeting. - communicating
2. Attend at least two county 4-H activities or workshops - getting along with others
3. Help with a club or community service-learning project - understanding self
4. Host a meeting or provide refreshments or lead a game or give a report - working with groups
5. Attend a day or resident camp, conference or overnight experience and report back to your 4-H club meeting- learning to learn
6. Complete at least one 4-H project from a new project area. A new project area is one in which the 4-Her has not completed a project, not a different project in the same project area. An example would be a livestock area one year and the new project area in the same year is photography. - managing

Level Three - Bronze Clover (anticipated age, 12 or 13)

Complete at least four of the following tasks:

1. Help with a club or community service-learning project - understanding self
2. Help with a club or community fundraiser - making decisions
3. Participate in a 4-H Communications event - communicating
4. Attend at least two county 4-H activities - getting along with others
5. Attend a resident camp or overnight experience representing 4-H and report back to your 4-H club meeting - learning to learn
6. Attend at least one regional or state 4-H event - getting along with others
7. Serve as club officer or committee chair - working with groups
8. Complete at least one 4-H project from a new project area. A new project area is one in which the 4-Her has not completed a project, not a different project in the same project area. An example would be a livestock area one year and the new project area in the same year is photography. - managing

Level Four - Silver Clover (anticipated age, 14 or 15)

Complete at least five of the following tasks:

1. Serve as a club officer or committee chair - working with groups
2. Provide leadership for a club or community service-learning project - understanding self
3. Provide leadership for a club or community fundraiser - making decisions
4. Participate in a 4-H Communications event - communicating
5. Attend at least three county 4-H activities - getting along with others
6. Attend at least one regional or state 4-H event - getting along with others
7. Help a younger member with their project, demonstration or learning the pledge - learning to learn
8. Attend a resident camp or overnight experience representing 4-H and report back to your 4-H club meeting - learning to learn
9. Complete at least one 4-H project from a new project area. A new project area is one in which the 4-Her has not completed a project, not a different project in the same project area. An example would be a livestock area one year and the new project area in the same year is photography. - managing

Level Five - Gold Clover (anticipated age, 15 thru 17)

Complete at least seven of the following tasks:

1. Serve as a club officer, committee chair or teen leader - working with groups
2. Provide leadership for a club or community service-learning project - understanding self
3. Provide leadership for a club or community fundraiser - making decisions
4. Provide leadership for a club or county 4-H activity or event - getting along with others
5. Participate in a 4-H County Communications event or media event- communicating
6. Attend at least one state 4-H event -getting along with others
7. Participate in a national or international event representing 4-H - working with groups
8. Help a younger member with a project exhibit or demonstration - managing
9. Attend a resident 4-H county, regional or state camp representing 4-H and report back to your 4-H club meeting - learning to learn
10. Participate in an Interstate Exchange -working with groups
11. Complete at least one 4-H project from a new project area. A new project area is one in which the 4-Her has not completed a project, not a different project in the same project area. An example would be a livestock area one year and the new project area in the same year is photography. - managing

Level Six - Diamond Clover (anticipated age, 16 and up)

Complete at least eight of the tasks in Level Five and conduct a major service-learning project. This task requires the 4-Her to complete a project that benefits his/her community. The 4-Her will submit a detailed plan that includes: Description of the project, justification for the project, who will be recruited to help, a budget and how funds will be obtained, a projected timeline and any necessary approval letters from landowners, city/local 4-H unit government, province, etc. The 4-H Advisory Committee and a 4-H Educator must approve the plan before any work is started. When the work is completed the 4-Her must submit a detailed report outlining what was accomplished with documentation (photographs, etc.) If the report is approved, the 4-H Advisory Committee will forward it to the State 4-H Leader (or designee) for final approval. This project should be completed over a two year time frame, first year to do the planning, second year conduct the service learning project.

Notes:

1. The Achievement Ladder Award Program will be the primary recognition for 4-H members. Sponsors and grants will be sought for funding for the award program.
2. The Achievement Ladder Award Program is designed for a young person to begin at Level One and progress through six levels, one per year, acquiring valuable skills as he/she advances. Youth who are older when joining 4-H, may begin at a higher level (two through four) as is mutually agreeable to the participant and the club leader. The county 4-H educator must also be in agreement for a youth to start at levels five or six.
3. Youth meeting the requirements of any level will be recognized at the annual county 4-H achievement event.
4. The Achievement Ladder Award Program recognition is not automatic. A youth must apply for the Achievement Ladder Award Program recognition using the appropriate plan/report form in a timely manner. All forms will be submitted electrically and forms will be available on the county web site.