Last updated: 9/01/2025 This is our current project list for the 2025 – 2026 year. Project options might change as sometimes things get added after the year begins based on volunteer availability, so check back regularly. If there is something that you would love to do please let us know and we can see if we can find a leader! Sign Ups will be available only through zsuite this year.
Projects with an (*) are new for this year!
Projects for Del Arroyo 4-H 2025 / 2026
Archery
Project Leaders: Ren Whysong
Teen Leaders: Ollie S.
Project Description: Members will learn range safety, parts of the bow, arrow, safety equipment, how to repair arrows, maintain the equipment, and of course how to shoot and score targets. You do not need to own your bow.
Ages: Strictly 9 & up (as of Dec 31st) due to 4-H guidelines
Limit: 35.
Cost: $10 fee and members are expected to buy their own arrows (typically $30-$50 for a set of 6). The project has some arrows that can be borrowed until you buy your own.
Meet times and locations: Exact schedule TBD, but most likely Sundays (late morning/early afternoon) at a private home in Livermore. You are not expected to make every meeting, but you are expected to get at least 6 hours of target practice to complete the project with 100% attendance.
Art Journaling
Leader: Kristin Thomas
Junior Leader: Loie Thomas
Meeting day/time : TBD. 4-5 meetings about 1.5 hours each.
Meeting Location: Del Valle High School, 2253 Fifth Street, Livermore, CA
Description: Art Journaling is a visual diary that can incorporate drawing, painting, collaging, calligraphy, lettering, photography, poetry, design and layout. In this project, we will have different journaling prompts, talk about design aesthetics and members will have an opportunity to experience different types of materials, tools and techniques in this open-ended process.
Age Limit?: Ideally 8 and up
Cost : $20 supply fee
Baking
Project Leader: Ashley Wheeler
Project Description: We will be learning a lot of fun baking techniques this year! We will start off with the basics , but we will have some fairly advanced projects for the later meetings, including baking and decorating a cake!
Meeting Days/Times: Spring Project. Will meet on Friday afternoons on Zoom. Meetings will vary in length, but most should be close to 2 hours.
Cost: No supply fee, but the cost will include ingredients & basic cake decorating supplies (you will be baking your own cakes and making your own frosting)
Meeting Location: Zoom
Age Limit: *9 and up. This will be a pretty fast paced project and will be challenging for younger members. Adults are welcome to stay and assist if you think this will be an issue for your child.
Cardboard Engineering
Project Leader: Kristin Thomas
Project Description: Explore the possibilities of the cardboard box through problem solving, design and creativity. In this project we will tinker, build, sculpt and explore mechanisms using cardboard and other materials.
Meeting Days/Times: TBD. 3-4 meetings about 2 hours each
Cost: $10 supply fee
Meeting Location: Del Valle High School, 2253 Fifth Street, Livermore, CA
Age Limit: Ideally 8 and up. Younger ages are welcome but may require additional support from a parent or older sibling depending on their skill level
Cooking : Snack Attack
Leader: Joelle
Join us for Snack Attack, a fun and tasty online 4-H project where kids ages 9–16 learn to make their own simple, delicious, and healthy snacks—right from their own kitchens!
When: First Friday of each month
3:30–4:30 PM on Zoom
What to Expect: Each month, we’ll cook a new snack together while learning kitchen skills, nutrition tips, and fun food facts. You don’t need fancy equipment—just a few ingredients and a taste for adventure! Participants will vote on the snacks we make each month and get a shopping list ahead of time so they’re ready to cook along. This project is perfect for beginners and snack enthusiasts alike. Whether you have cooking experience or not, you’ll end each session with something yummy and homemade to enjoy.
Crochet
Project Leader: Katie Williams
Teen Leader: TBD
Project Description: Beginning crochet, learn the vocabulary and abbreviations needed to read any pattern, master the basic stitches used (single, double, half double crochet, etc.) and other tips and tricks to make scarves, bags, stuffies and more.
Meeting Days/Times: Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 pm, weekly for 6 weeks 10/7-11/11
Number of Participants limited to: limited to 10-15 members depending on project location
Cost: $10 (for set of starter crochet supplies)
Meeting Location: Del Valle High School, Livermore, CA.
Age Limit:11 years and older
Fiber Arts
Project Leader: Dara Gribi
Teen Leader:
Project Description: Learn to create crafts that use fiber as a medium. Mainly learn to needle felt relief and sculptures but may explore other types of fiber arts.
Meeting Days /Times: TBD
Number of Participants: 6
cost : TBD
Age Limit: 12 & up (or younger with leader approval)
Gardening – Fall
Project Leader: Marion Adams
Teen Leader:
Project Description: Preparing soil, cultivar selection for fall, sowing seeds, transplanting, weeding, pest control, harvest
Meeting Days /Times: TBD – 4 Meetings / 1.5 hours each
Number of Participants:
cost : TBD
Age Limit:
Gardening – Spring
Project Leader: Marion Adams
Teen Leader:
Project Description: Seed sewing, fertiltiy/soil preparation, seasonal gardening, crop identification, insects (both beneficial and pests), integrated pest management.
Meeting Days /Times: TBD – 4 meetings, 1.5 hours each
Number of Participants:
cost : TBD
Age Limit:
Holiday Choir
Project Leader: Francesca Preponis
Teen Leader:
Project Description: We will be practicing singing together in unison as well as two-part harmony. We will focus on basics of singing in a choir such as blend, balance, vowel matching and the importance of listening. We will be meeting for the six weeks leading up to Christmas, and our project will culminate in a mini-concert at a nursing home and caroling on First St. We will be singing non-religious songs about Winter as well as songs about Christmas and Hanukkah.
Meeting Days /Times: 5-6 pm Tuesday evenings Nov 4th – Dec 9th
Number of Participants:
cost : TBD
Age Limit:
Lego Engineering
Project Leader: Christine Charron
Teen Leader: TBD
Project Description: Have fun building with Legos with your 4-H friends! Learn about various building techniques to create projects to share with the group.
Meeting Days/Times: Tentative Schedule – Thursdays 5-6:30pm
11/20, Lego Towers
12/18, Lego Ornament
1/15 Lego Cars
2/19 Lego House
Number of Participants limited to: 10
Cost: Free
Olives
Project Leader: Marion Adams
Project Description: Field trip to Olivina to see olive orchards and olive oil press, field trip to Olive Oil Pantry for table olive and olive oil tasting, Olive harvest from residential olive trees around Livermore, table olive curing (Marion’s house), olive oil community press event at Olivina. We will split any oilve oil that we produce among members.
Meeting Day/ Time: October-november dates tbd. Probably Wednesday Afternoons. Members will need sturdy walking/work shoes and clothing in layers that can get dirty. Olives stain. We will be working outdoors in all types of weather.
Meeting Location: All field trips around Livermore. Possibly one trip to Brentwood
Approx. Cost: TBD
Member Limit:
Age Limit:
Photography
Project Leader: Brooke Beyer
Project Description: Learn about photography! Photography basics–principles and practice.
Participants will be using a cell phone (that they provide) to practice photography basics. We will be going on monthly field trips to practice skills in a variety of settings.
Meeting Days/Times: Will vary from month to month. Attendance at 4 sessions will be required to meet your 6 hour project minimum.
Meeting Location: Will vary from month to month
(not necessarily Livermore specific)
Age Limit: 10 and up
Public Speaking: Presentations
Project Leader: Rich Hunt
Project Description: The ability to give excellent presentations is a key life skill. In this project, you will prepare and practice a 4-H presentation to give at Presentation Day. Become a confident public speaker and earn credit towards your star ranks!
Meeting Day/ Time: Meet Nov-Feb on weekday evenings.
Meeting Location: Del Valle High School & The Livermore Library
Approx. Cost: $10 for poster board
Member Limit: 10.
Age Limit: 4th grade and up.
Rocketry
Project Leader: Alex Walden
Project Description: The rocketry project will focus on assembling a model rocket from a kit. Depending on group interest more advanced kits may be added. The 4-H members can paint and decorate their rocket , and can attend one or more rocket launches scheduled on Saturday mornings in the spring. Rockets can also be entered in the Alameda County Fair next summer.
Approx Cost: $15 + for rocket kits
Ages: All
Meeting Day/Time: Monthly
Meeting Location: Del Valle High School
Sewing : Teens
Project Leader: Marion Adams
Teen Leader:
Project Description: Come learn sewing basics including how to use a sewing machine. We will also be learning about upcycling clothing & using a pattern to make projects.
Meeting Days /Times: TBD
Number of Participants:
cost : TBD
Square Dance
Project Leader: Margaret Miller
Teen Leader:
Project Description: Learn basic square dancing and some western dancing. Returning members will learn more advanced calls and additional line dances. This is a county wide project open to the entire family. New classes start September 6.
Project Website
Meeting Day/Time: Thurs 6:30-8:15 pm
Meeting Location: Currently in Springtown, may move to Del Valle High School 2253 Fifth St Livermore in the Fall.
Approx. Cost: $10 per month. Age Limit: 8 years and up.
Take a Hike! : Hiking Project
Project Leader: Elizabeth & Scott McWhorter
Junior Leader: Caleb McWhorter
Project Description: All things hiking! The leaders are recreational hikers. Planning, preparedness, gear, safety, nature, photo ops, haiku poetry writing, and environmental stewardship. Nature photography and haikus could be Fair entries (Note the 2nd- Wednesday-in-May deadline); and you can get trail cleanup community service hours too. Also, the project leaders aspire to complete the annual East Bay Trails Challenge (26.2 mi) –they’ll share info about this challenge & how we’ll make good progress in this project, about halfway to the goal.
Approx Cost: TBD
Ages: All
Meeting Day/Time: Monthly
9 two-hour project meetings, most @ 9 am on Sundays at varying locations
1 intro meeting
1 night hike at Sycamore Grove,
6 Sunday day hikes
& 1 Saturday day hike at East Bay Regional Parks
Get started on the East Bay Trails Challenge!
Meeting Location: East Bay Park Trails
Independent Fair Projects (group determined)
Project Leaders: Anna and Angela Richards
Project Description: This is a self determined project. Do you have a fair entry you would love to make, but would like some guidance? Have an idea for a cool table setting project? Connect with our Independant Fair project Anna Richards for some 1 on 1 help for your individual project.
Age Limit: 9 and up.
– Animal Projects –
Cavies (Guinea Pigs)
Project Leader: Ashley Wheeler
Teen Leader:
Project Description: Have fun learning about cavies with us! Cavies are also known as guinea pigs. We will learn showmanship for cavy shows and the county fair as well as how to properly care for your animals. It is recommended that kids in the project have a guinea pig, but it isn’t a requirement. We can also help with choosing a cavy if you would like to get one but don’t have one by the beginning of the project.
Approx Cost: none
Meeting Day/Time: Likely Monday afternoons
Meeting Location: Wheeler Residence
Member Limit: 12
Age Limit: none – primaries welcome!
Dog: (Training and Care)
Project Leader: Laura Finco
Assistant Leaders: Kristen Salcedo
Teen Leaders: OPEN
Project Description: This project focuses on training our dogs to be canine good citizens. The goal is to exhibit in the county youth dog show at the Alameda County Fair in obedience, Rally, agility, and junior showmanship. Anyone interested in learning good dog skills is welcome. Members will be encouraged to participate in the County Dog Medalist program. Dog ownership is preferable.
Ages: 9-19 years.
Cost: minimal, depending upon level of participation.
Required Equipment: flat collar, training collar, six foot training leash (preferably cloth or leather) with the option of showmanship collar and leash; water bowl, treat bag, and treats for outdoor training classes.
Meetings: Tentative, usually Thursday afternoons 5:15-6pm with the advanced group going a little longer. Meet at ABBA Dogs training yard in Springtown.
All About Dogs!
Project Leader: Joelle Cook
Teen Leaders:
Project Description: This project will focus on all aspects of DOGS! Learn all about dogs with us!
Project Goals:
Encourage responsibility, empathy, and teamwork.
Build knowledge of dog breeds, care, and behavior.
Practice basic training skills using positive reinforcement.
Explore dog-related careers, sports, and service work.
We will take a number of field trips where we can observe and learn about dogs. The vets office, animal shelter, dog sports class, dog park, etc. are some possibilities. You do not need a dog to be in this
project, though you will be able to apply the skills you learn to any dogs you may have at home. Kids who want to enter their dogs in the fair will have the opportunity to do workshops with Joelle closer to fair.
Ages: all, primaries will need an adult to stay at project meetings
Cost: Possible donations to groups who host us for a field trip
Meetings: Meetings will be on Saturday mornings, 9-11am pending schedules of field trip locations. Project meetings will start after the first of the year.
Guide Dogs
Project Leader: Joelle Cook
Project Summary: Guide Dogs for the Blind harnesses the power of partnerships—connecting people, dogs, and communities—to transform the lives of individuals with visual impairments.
You see a puppy, a person who is blind sees the world! Volunteer puppy raisers receive a pup when they are approximately 8 weeks old and will teach them house manners, provide socialization experiences, and prepare them for their future career as a guide dog, breeder, or K9 Buddy. Each pup will return to one of our two campuses for formal guidework training when they are approximately 15 months of age. Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) will support you throughout the entire puppy raising process, step by step!
Ages: 9 & up to be a puppy raiser
Meeting dates/times : two Mondays a month, typically the 2nd and 4th Monday (pending holidays) 7pm-8:15pm
Meeting Locations: Graceway Church Pleasanton
Cost: All supplies can be covered, we are a fundraising project though and members are expected to help with planned fundraisers.
Dog Care for Primaries
Project Leader: Kristen Salcedo
Project Description: Dog ownership not required. Learn the basics of dog breeds, ownership, grooming, and health. Members will be encouraged to enter a fantasy pet or poster in the Alameda County Fair.
Meeting Day/Time: Monday afternoons (30 minutes) parent participation encouraged
Approx. Cost: Minimal
Member Limit: 6
Age Limit: 5-8
Equine – Horse (Beginning)
Leader: Stephanie Rawlins
Assistant Leader: Donna Costa
Teen Leader:
Project Description: Meetings will cover health and well being of a horse, conformation/breeds, grooming, equipment, riding gaits/ability, Western/English horsemanship, play days, how to trailer a horse and guest speakers. You do not need to own a horse to participate in this project. Most of the horses we work with are rescue horses. This project is more about basic horsemanship than showing, so preparation for the 4H Horse show is not the main focus.
Location: Hagemann Ranch
Day/Time: 3rd Sunday of the month 2-3pm (weather permitting)
Age: Strictly 9 & up (as of Dec 31st) due to 4-H guidelines
Equine – Horse: Advanced Horse
Leader: Ashley Wheeler
Teen Leader: Alexandra W.
Project Description: Meetings will cover in more depth all items listed in Beginning Equine. This project is designed and intended for members that own or lease their own horses. This project is not a riding focused project. We will learn about horses, go over ground work, grooming, and showmanship. Riding should not be an expectation of this project. Learning about all aspects of horse showing and care is our main focus. We will be participating in Horse Field Day and competing at the Alameda County Fair with members that own or lease horses.
Ages: Strictly 9 & up (as of Dec 31st) – State 4-H rule – NO EXCEPTIONS
Cost: none
Members should have boots (preferably cowboy boots or riding boots) and a protective helmet. This project meets once a month in Livermore, and weekly when preparing for the horse show in June.
Goats – Angora
Leader: Dara Gribi
Project Description: The angora goat project is for youth who wish to learn about and raise Angora goats for fiber. Other non-market goat breeds may be considered if there is a strong interest. You do not need to own a goat to participate. We will be learning all aspects of raising Angora goats including basic management and health practices, selecting, nutrition, parasite control and disease management, reproduction, shearing, and mohair evaluation and processing.
Ages: 9 & up.
Meetings: TBD
Pygmy Goats
Project Leaders: Wendy Cooper & Ashley Wheeler
Project Description: Learn all about pygmy goats! We will learn about the care, training, and showing of these fun animals! Members with pygmy goats will aim to show the animals at the Alameda County Fair next summer.
Ages: All ages
Meetings: TBD
Location: TBD
Poultry (For Exhibition)
Leader: Kristen Salcedo
Poultry For Exhibition- In Person
Project Description: Purebred bantam chickens are encouraged but not required. Learn how to choose a bird, showmanship procedure and common showmanship questions. See how good feeding, cages, grooming and training can improve your showmanship. Contact Leader (ksalcedo@pacbell.net) for dates and locations so you can acquire project animals.
Ages: 9 & up.
Meetings: Mondays once a month
Member Limit : 8
Contact Leader (ksalcedo@pacbell.net) for dates and locations so you can observe for fall shows.
Poultry for Primaries
Project Leader: Kristen Salcedo
Project Description: Pure bred bantam chicken ownership is encouraged but not required. Learn basics of chicken ownership, show prep, and health. Members will be encouraged to enter showmanship or poster in the Alameda County Fair.
Meeting Day/Time: Monday afternoons (30 minutes) parent participation encouraged
Approx. Cost: Minimal
Member Limit: 6
Age Limit: 5-8
Rabbits
Leader: Dara Gribi
Teen Leaders:
Junior Leaders:
Project Description: This is a show project only, members must either own or plan on purchasing a show rabbit prior to ownership cut-off date Fair and/or Open shows. Members may raise animals for market, fur or show. Members will learn the different breeds and varieties of rabbits, proper feeding and grooming techniques, be able to identify rabbit equipment, as well as design a plan for preparing rabbits for show and proper rabbit showmanship. Members will be required to attend at least one ARBA show outside of fair.
Ages: All ages.
Cost: $20 for education supplies and project own equipment.
Meets: Meet 1s t Wednesday, 6:30 Del Valle High School / Zoom
Advanced Small Animals
Project Leaders: Ashley Wheeler
Project Description: We will go over more in depth study material for all of the small animal species. This would be a great project for Round Robin practice. We will also practice showmanship for all of the small animal species. Members in this project will also plan and run the “Pets & Small Animal Project” in the spring.
Ages: 9 & up
Meetings: TBD
Location: Wheeler Home
Pets & Small Animals – Spring Project
Project Leaders: Ashley Wheeler
Project Description: Learn about small animals! One meeting will be devoted to learning about each of the most common 4-H small animals (dogs, rabbits, cavies, and poultry)! We will get to visit with older members that raise these animals, learn all about them, and end with a craft or fun game!
Ages: 5 & up
Meetings: TBD
Location: Wheeler Home
County Wide Projects
Rising Stars – County Wide Project
Project Leaders: Barbara Butko
barb.butko@gmail.com
Project Description: Design and execute an outreach project to bring awareness of 4-H to the community. Activities could include planning and work parties and related field trips. Learn teamwork, leadership, public speaking and citizenship.
Ages: 11 – 14 years old or 6 th – 9 th grade,
Meet: First Thursday of each month @ 6:30 in Hayward
Location: 4-H office in Hayward
Camp Academy
Project Leader: TBD
Project Summary: Do you love 4-H Camp? Do you want to help with planning? Are you great with kids, and want to be part of the camp staff? Come have fun learning about leadership and all things camp!
*This project will happen based on interest – so please sign up early!
Ages: 13 & up
Meeting dates/times : TBD
Meeting Locations: Varies
Cost:
Projects Looking For Leaders!
These are projects that we have previously offered and can be added as soon as we find adult leaders for them. All of our leaders are volunteers! If you think you might be interested in becoming a leader, please let me know!