What is 4-H University?

Florida 4-H University is a week-long overnight event for senior 4-H youth (4-H age 14-18) held at the University of Florida. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in educational workshops lead by University of Florida faculty, explore career opportunities, lead community service activities, interact with youth from all over the state, and have fun while developing critical life skills that will help them become productive and engaged citizens of the communities, their country, and their world.

To be considered eligible for participation in Florida 4-H University, participants must be between the ages of 14 – 18 by September 1st of the previous year and must not have graduated high school.

Registration is $275, which includes scheduled meals, t-shirt, transportation, and the dorm. Registration is open May 1- June 30 through 4-H Online.

What Should I bring to 4-H U?

Bring several changes of clothes, all toiletries, bedding (twin size), towel, and medications. A full list of what you should bring is available here, along with the form needed to accompany medications. The form and medication need to be in a clear plastic bag and should be handed over to either their Adult in Charge (the person who will check their group in) or directly to the designated Medical Adult at Hume Hall when you check in for 4-H University. Youth should not bring meds to the Union or to their rooms, including over the counter medications.

Dorms will be assigned to 2 youth/room separated by age and gender. You can make specific roommate requests and we do our best to accommodate within reason.

At 4-H University your youth can bring their phone and taking pictures are encouraged. All we require is that participants are “in the moment” whenever possible and that other youth’s privacy is respected at all time.

What are we going to do?

For Nassau County participants there are 2 options:

  1. Have your parent drive you to Gainesville and we will meet there
  2. Meet us at the Callahan Extension Office and we will caravan down or provide transportation via county vans

We will leave Monday July 29th at 10 am, which means we need to be packed and ready to go starting at 9:30 am. We return Thursday August 1st at 2pm.

In between then your youth will participate in multiple workshops, attend a dance (or play board games), watch a talent show, listen to a keynote speaker, eat lunch at the stadium, make new friends, and so much more. For a brief summary of the schedule go HERE.

As we mentioned earlier, one of the fantastic opportunities for your teen is the wide variety of workshops we have available each year. Some workshops repeat annually, while others are unique to that year. There are 2 workshops types available, a 2 day track workshop and a 1 day discovery. This year 4-H U is offering everything from exploring cancer mutations to clogging 101. To check them all out read this!

4-H University is also the location for our State Events. Senior-aged youth who received a blue ribbon at district events compete with their presentations during the day and Share the Fun winners showcase their talent in the evening. Youth do not have to attend all of 4-H U if competing in State Events.

4-H University is an experience like no other, and beloved by all of our youth that have participated in the past.

We like to think of it like Pringles (once you go, you just can’t stop!)

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Posted: June 17, 2019


Category: 4-H & Youth, Camp
Tags: 4-H, 4-H U, 4-H Univeristy, Camping, Senior, State Events, Teen, Youth


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