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The history of the 4-H program has its roots in the development of the Land-Grant University system. This system of research-based learning institutions sowed the seeds of agricultural innovation, based upon university research, since enacted through the Morrill Act of 1862.
The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 directed that all Cooperative Extension work, including boys' and girls' clubs, become an official function of the United States Department of Agriculture directed through the land grant college system. This is the point at which the California 4-H program, through the University of California cooperating with the individual California counties begins to bloom.
The 4-H Pledge
Otis Hall, State Leader of Kansas, was responsible for the original wording of the 4-H pledge, officially adopted by the State 4-H Leaders at the first National 4-H camp in 1927. The pledge remained unchanged until 1973, when it was revised to include "and my world."
4-H Pledge
I pledge…
My Head to clearer thinking,
My Heart to greater loyalty,
My Hands to larger service,
And my Health to better living,
For my club, my community, my country, and my world.
4-H Motto
To Make the Best Better
Leaders so you don’t feel left out, here is the Leader’s Pledge.
Leader’s Pledge
As a 4-H Leader I Pledge:
My Head to clearer understanding of the children of today, their needs, challenges and opportunities; so that I will know when to direct and advise, but more, when to back off and encourage them to accept responsibility, to make decisions, and also allow them to make mistakes.
My Heart to greater affection, flexibility, trust, cooperation, and willingness to respond as a friend and guide, rather than a director or dictator.
My Hands to provide larger opportunities for training, exploration, independence, achievement, leadership and satisfaction in discovery by these incredible young people.
My Health to better enable me to use the 4-H program to help youth develop a positive self-image, to be able to set goals, to be aware of the need to serve others.
The Meaning of Our Club’s Name, "Chaparros"
The history of our club began in 1969 when a small group of young members and their parents decided to form a local 4-H club. The San Diego County 4-H Office requested that the new club have a name. The new club looked around the area, filled with trees, native bushes, and mountains and chose the name Chaparral. “Chaparral” was their first choice, but another club in Alpine had chosen that name. They went through the dictionary and chose “Chaparros”. Chaparros means thick, low, fast growing shrub or short people. Our members chose this name referring to our young members being short and growing tall as our club grows.
A few years later the name Jamul was added to give the location where the meetings were held. Jamul is an Indian word meaning green or dirty water, or pool of dirty water.
(The above historical information came from Connie Nierodzinski, retired Jamul Chaparros 4-H Club Leader.)