1. 4-H is just a social organization, all about fun and games.
Fact: 4-H is a youth organization devoted to developing contributing, productive citizens thru community service, leadership development, and club project work.

2. 4-H will teach my child to ... (be a leader, ride, sew, cook, shoot, show animals). Fact: 4-H provides many resources and opportunities for young people to develop these skills; however, it remains the responsibility of the parents and club leaders to see to the education.

3. 4-H is all about competition and winning trophies, ribbons, buckles & money. Fact: 4-H is about honesty, responsibility, commitment, confidence & character building, team work, and building public speaking & people skill. Once these traits have been established, the rest is just the icing on the cake.

4. 4-H is just for "country kids".
Fact: The majority of the youth in Cherokee County 4-H programs come from what is considered an urban background environment.

5. 4-H costs a lot of money.
Fact: There are no due or fees associated with membership. Kids can benefit from the learning experiences with almost no expense. There are fees associated with the different projects. For instance, an animal project will cost the price of the animal, the vet bills, the feed bills, the cost to house and haul the project, along with any entry and stable fees for a given competition. While community service projects often only cost the time it takes to perform them. This diversity means that the parents are free to spend as little or as much money as they can afford on a chosen project.

6. In 4-H, rich kids are treated better than poor kids.
Fact: Money and influence really doesn’t make much difference and the Cherokee 4-H Council works to make sure that all kids are treated equally by parents, leaders, as well as by the kids themselves.

7. Someone else will haul my child and/or their project to shows, fairs, camps, or meetings.
Fact: While many clubs, project groups, and show teams carpool to conserve fuel, time and money, ultimately the responsibility falls back on the parents.

8. Someone at the 4-H Club meeting should tell me about dates, times, deadlines, and answer all my questions without my having to ask.
Fact: County Agents, Club Managers, and Adult Leaders do not know that you do not know. Speak up, don’t be afraid to aggressively seek information, be pro-active, these are your kids and they have the same rights as everyone elses.

9. If we are involved with 4-H long enough, we will know everything about the program.
Fact: Their will always be those who come into the 4-H program thinking that they know everything. THEY DO NOT. 4-H is a dynamic organization and is constantly evolving in response to the specific needs of Cherokee County as well as to reflect changes from the State 4-H Office.

10. 4-H enrollment is open only in September and October.
Fact: The 4-H year runs from September 1 thru August 31, and enrollment remains open all year long. Each club reserves the right to establish mandatory attendance and participation requirements for the members to compete under that club’s name at the Cherokee County Jr. Livestock Show.

11. Agricultural projects are for boys and Home Economics projects are for girls.
Fact: Historically, these have been the stereotypical assumptions. Cherokee County 4-H Clubs have several girls in the shooting sports club and raising stock animals for a project while at the same time we have several boys who compete in the Food Show and Consumer Decision Making Contest. Club members can participate in any event irregardless of gender. Members should always be encouraged to try something that’s new to them.

12. If I join 4-H I’ll have to keep a record book of everything that I do.
Fact: Keeping a Recordbook is encouraged; however, it is not a requirement.

13. 4-H Recordbooks are difficult to complete, there is little or no information available to help in their completion and when finished they are of little value to me. Fact: Yes, Recordbooks can be difficult, annoying, challenging, tedious and frustrating, but often times the things that we value most are the things that are only achieved with some difficulty. There are many information sources and the books have tremendous value in regards to scholarships, college applications and job resumes.

14. 4-H is only for younger kids.
Fact: 4-H is for everyone from 5 years old (Clover Kids) thru 18 (Senior 4-H’ers) as members and any age there after as an adult leader or club manager.

15. The biggest myth of all- 4-H will "baby sit" my child and teach them all the life skills they need to become successful while I get some time to run a few errands.
Fact: Club managers usually handle this type of situation relatively quickly. They understand that sometimes parents need to run an occasional errand, but they didn’t sign on to raise someone else’s child either. Keep in mind that parental presence in not "required" at the club meetings and classroom competitions, but it is highly encouraged.