4-H has so very much to offer
- Shelby Tedrow OSU Extension Wayne County
- March 10, 2024
- 670
4-H offers kids experiences and memories they will never forget as they are able to gain lifelong friendships and life skills, enhance self-esteem, achieve goals, and have fun. Over 1,700 youth participate in Wayne County 4-H each year with over 50 active clubs.
Each summer OSU Extension Wayne County offers a Cloverbud Day Camp and Junior Camp for Wayne County 4-H youth. Cloverbud Camp will be June 4-6, a three-day, three-hour camp at Fisher Auditorium. Junior Camp will be June 30 through July 3 and is open to anyone age 8-13, whether they are in 4-H or not. Junior Camp is held at 4-H Camp Ohio in Licking County, and activities include zip-lining, stream studies, fishing, archery, riflery, line dancing, crafts, campfires and so much more.
Not just livestock projects
Most people believe that to be in 4-H, you must live on a farm and show livestock at the fair, but that’s not true. Anyone can be in 4-H, as there are so many different projects youth can complete each year. There are more than 200 project areas to choose from — learn about cooking, sewing, tractors, animals, woodworking and a lot more. Visit www.ohio4h.org/familyguide to see the complete list of projects that are available.
Interested in joining?
If you’re interested in your kids joining 4-H but don’t know where to start, contact the extension office and we can help you. Enrollment is due April 1 in 4-HOnline.
Ohio 4-H membership is based on the child’s age and grade as of Jan. 1 of the current year. Eligibility for participation in 4-H projects and competitive events begins when the child is 8 years old and in the third grade. Youth who do not meet that criteria but are 5 years old and in kindergarten can still be in 4-H, as a Cloverbud. Cloverbuds participate in noncompetitive activities either in club meetings or countywide opportunities. This is great for the younger youth to still be involved in 4-H through a club.
Before you can enroll in 4-HOnline, you must find a club in the county — we can help find a club. Clubs meet at different areas in the county, so we also can help you find the one closest to you. Clubs have adult volunteers who are trained to lead and clubs and activities. Some clubs have a specialization such as livestock, horses and STILL/FCS projects, but most clubs allow anyone to join.
To be in the Wayne County 4-H Program, you must submit your enrollment before April 1. Call the extension office at 330-264-8722 to learn more about 4-H today.
Shelby Tedrow is a program assistant of agriculture, natural resources and 4-H youth development with OSU Extension Wayne County. She can be emailed at tedrow.28@osu.edu or called at 330-264-8722.