Montana 4-H Congress

4-H for LIFE isn’t just a theme—it’s a call to adventure! It’s all about the journey of growth, leadership, and endless possibilities that 4-H gives you, now and into the future. LIFE stands for Leadership In Future Endeavors, and that’s exactly what 4-H helps you build—skills and experiences that will set you up for success long after you’ve left the 4-H community. 

Why You Need to Be There 

• Make connections with peers from across Montana 

• Learn by doing -  Get practical experience through hands-on activities and competitions 

• Discover fresh ideas from workshops and national speakers that will fuel your future success  

• Build your network of mentors and friends who will cheer you on 

• Set yourself up for success— Participate in workshops that open doors to new careers and possibilities 

Think about it: the leadership, confidence, and teamwork you develop in 4-H don’t stop when the event ends. Whether you’re speaking up in class, tackling a big project, or stepping up in your community, everything you’ve learned through 4-H sticks with you. 4-H for LIFE is about realizing that every challenge you take on, every skill you develop, and every friend you make is helping you level up for the big game ahead—life after 4-H! 

At Montana 4-H Congress, you’re not just hanging out for a few days—you’re jumping into a real-life adventure. From workshops to contests, from meeting new people to exploring leadership, the experiences you have will help you build the confidence, creativity, and skills that will carry you forward. And guess what? Those moments of success, whether it’s aceing a presentation or leading your team to victory, are your very own LIFE building blocks—reminders of how far you’ve come and how much further you’ll go. 

4-H for LIFE is about making things happen, facing challenges head-on, and owning your leadership journey. It’s about having fun, gaining skills, and building a network of awesome people who will cheer you on every step of the way. It’s your future, and 4-H is here to help you make it epic. So, are you ready to take the wheel and drive your future forward? The adventure begins now—let’s make it count! 

See Montana 4-H Congress in Photos

Montana 4-H invites all members 4-H age 13 and older, volunteers, and MSU Extension faculty and staff to the 2025 Montana 4-H Congress event on the Bozeman campus of Montana State University. 4-H'ers from across Montana have been attending this event on MSU campus for nearly 100 years. 

Montana 4-H Congress provides youth from across the state an opportunity to come together on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman for four days and participate in an event like no other. Congress offers both youth and adults a venue in which to learn, be challenged, and most of all, have a great time with their peers. Montana 4-H'ers have been attending an event like Congress for decades. Congress has become an important tradition and is the signature event for the Montana 4-H Program.

Congress' purpose is to provide a safe and fun environment for youth to experience all that 4-H Congress has to offer including contests, workshops, entertainment, social events, and much more.

Still wondering what Montana 4-H Congress is all about? Ask someone. Reach out to older members in your club or county that have been to Congress before. They will tell you just what they love most about this event. Not sure who to ask? Email a state officer. They are Congress experts and can answer all of your questions! 

To access the registration for this event, log in to your ZSuite account and click on events in the left menu. If you are eligible to attend this event then it will appear in your events.  Registration will open MAY 1st and STATE Registration Deadline is June 15.

Each county has their own deadlines, requirements, and process for attending Montana 4-H Congress, so it is important to talk with your office soon. Attendees are not required by the state to participate in a contest. 

Registration for 4-H Congress is $255 and includes lodging for 3 nights, 7 meals, and program costs and an event t-shirt. Parking on campus is an additional cost and is the responsibility of the indiviudal using the campus passport app (credit/debit card is required)

Youth must be at least 13 years old as of October 1 of the current 4-H year. Chaperones must be certified 4-H Volunteers or MSU Extension staff who are at least 21 years of age. 

Follow Montana 4-H Congress on scoial media to get updates on contests, workshops, speakers, and other event information. facebook.com/Montana4h  /  

 Registration

All registrations must be completed through your county or reservation's MSU Extension office. Participants and chaperones attend 4-H Congress as a county/tribal area delegation and must register as such.

While the state deadline for registration is June 15, counties and tribal areas may have their own registration deadlines. Please contact your local MSU Extension office for registration information.

For more information regarding this program, please contact Brett Schomer, bschomer@montana.edu

Future Montana 4-H Congress Dates

July 8-11, 2025

July 7-10, 2026

July 14-17, 2027 (Wednesday-Saturday due to MSU Orientation)

July 11-14, 2028

July 10-13, 2029