The Burlingame/San Mateo 4H Club is one of several 4H clubs in San Mateo County, located in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. We are a friendly group of youth and adult members. Our activities include a variety of animal and non-animal club projects, exhibiting at the San Mateo County Fair, fun group events, and community service.

General Club Meetings
Club meetings are held one evening of every month, at the Crystal Springs Farm in San Mateo. Meetings are run by the youth club officers, which include the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, sargent(s)-at-arms, historian, and gameskeeper, under the guidance of the adult community and/or co-community leaders. Local and county events, activities, budget, and 4-H news are discussed. Members have opportunities to present questions, announcements and suggestions, give demonstrations and share their 4-H project experiences with others. 80% attendance is required in order to maintain club membership.

Fees

• Annual club membership fees for each member are nominal, and includes 4-H county fees, insurance fees and general club dues.
• There is no fee required for participation in a project, but members may need to pay for expenses, which vary according to each project. These can range from $3 per cooking project meeting for food supplies, to $100 or more for the purchase and maintenance of large animals which may be sold for a profit at the conclusion of the animal project.

Achievement and Awards
Members are encouraged to record their 4-H experiences and achievements in a 4-H Record Book, which may be submitted to the 4-H County Office for judging every June. Participation and achievement in 4-H at the Club, County, State, and/or National level(s) can be recognized in the form of scholarships and awards for service, exhibition, showmanship, demonstration of knowledge, and various other contests.

Uniforms
Uniforms are not required for club membership or participation in 4-H projects. However, uniforms may be required or advised when members are representing 4-H in exhibitions or competitions (i.e. at the County Fair or at other public events).
The 4-H uniform consists of:

• White pants or skirt.
• White shirt.
• 4-H tie or scarf
• 4-H hat

Club Activities

The following are some of the activities club members have participated in:

"Art in the Park Booth"- Our typical annual group club fundraising event is held at Burlingame's "Art in the Park" streetfair celebration in Washington Park, where we sell delicious charcoal grilled Italian sausages and fresh lemonade.

County Fair Cake Booth- Club members may also participate at the San Mateo County Fair's 4-H cake booth, selling cake, coffee and lemonade to fairgoers, to help raise funds for San Mateo County's 4-H clubs.

Annual Awards Party- members are recognized for completing their 4-H year, and special awards are given.

Petting Zoo-members represent 4-H and share their knowledge of raising and care of farm animials with others.

Gingerbread House decorating- members as a group decorate beautiful gingerbread houses for Coyote Point's Christmas Gingerbread House competition and exhibition.

Community Service
The Burlingame/San Mateo 4H Club supports local organizations through volunteering and donations to Samaritan House, a local shelter for the homeless, participation in the Foster City Lions Club's Fourth of July fundraiser, visits to Senior Centers, attendance at Bayfront cleanups, and various other activities.

How to Join
To join the Burlingame/San Mateo 4-H Club, or to get more information, including meeting times, fees, etc., please contact the San Mateo County 4-H Office at (650)726-9059
or write to:
University of California Cooperative Extension
San Mateo County Office
80 Stone Pine Road, # 100,
Half Moon Bay, California 94019
or e-mail to:
cesanmateo@ucdavis.edu