Area 4-H clubs are forming for 2021 season
Annabelle Gump of Port Washington, a member of the Ridge Valley Winners 4-H club, with her hog at the 2020 Tuscarawas County Fair.
Browsing through the 4-H club displays or the barns at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds when members’ projects are on exhibit for all to see, you can’t miss the positive effects 4-H has in helping youth develop the skills they need to succeed.
At the fair, junior fair board members see each show is running smoothly, and each 4-H club has a creative display that features what their members learned by completing their projects during the year.
Youth wanting to participate in 4-H need to sign up now. Area 4-H clubs are forming for the year, and anyone interested in joining a club has until the April 15 deadline to join.
Participation in the program is life-changing for its members.
“Kids build life skills by participating in hands-on projects in areas like science, health, agriculture and civic engagement — helping them to grow confidence, independence, resilience and compassion,” said Kiersten Heckel of the Tuscarawas County OSU Extension office, which oversees the 4-H programs in the county.
4-H empowers young people to take charge of their lives.
“True leaders are young people who have confidence, know how to work well with others, can endure through challenges and will stick with a job until it gets done,” Heckel said. “In 4-H, we believe true leaders aren’t born; they’re grown. Our hands-on approach gives young people guidance, tools and encouragement and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen.”
Anyone interested in joining 4-H who needs assistance in finding a club may email Heckel at heckel.13@osu.edu or call 330-339-2337.
Ohio 4-H membership is based on a child’s age and grade as of Jan. 1 of the current project year. Eligibility for Cloverbud participation begins when a child is enrolled in kindergarten and is 5 years old.
“There are roughly fifty-five 4-H clubs in Tuscarawas County, but not every club offers Cloverbuds. A club must have at least two members of Cloverbud age to offer those types of activities,” Heckel said.
Eligibility for participation in 4-H projects and competitive events begins when a child is age 8 and in the third grade. Any youth age 9 or above is eligible for project membership, regardless of grade level.
Membership requires enrollment in an authorized Ohio 4-H club or group under the direction of an OSU Extension professional or an approved adult volunteer. A youth’s 4-H eligibility ends Dec. 31 the year they turn 19.
For those of the age to take projects, Ohio 4-H has over 200 projects available that can be viewed in the Ohio 4-H Family Guide at www.ohio4h.org/books-and-resources/family-guide.
Another resource to explore the various projects is a tool called 4-H Project Central at https://projectcentral.ohio4h.org/.
“Youth and families can peruse projects by key word, skill level or topic area. It’s very helpful when someone is looking for a new project,” Heckel said.
The program is always striving to keep projects current. Ohio 4-H has a few new projects this year including Medicine Science & Safety; Tracking Your Health & Fitness; Here, There, Ag Careers Are Everywhere; Explore the Poles (polar science); and Edible Landscapes. New self-determined projects include Amateur Radio Idea Starter, Get Started with Compositing Idea Starter and Paddle Water Sports Idea Starter.
“Some of our current projects have been revised like the photography series. Youth can use their camera phones now. Some of the shooting sports and sewing projects have also been updated and revised,” Heckel said.
Last year was a challenge for the OSU Extension Agency staff and 4-H leaders and members alike as most activities moved online.
“Most clubs have started meetings back up, and most are doing a combination of virtual and in-person meetings,” Heckel said. “I think many will try to hold their meetings in person outside once the weather is warmer.”
4-H members enjoy the variety of programs and activities the program offers.
“I can’t really speak on behalf of all kids, but testimonies I’ve heard over the past eight years as a 4-H professional have included that 4-H allows youth to be themselves. They can develop their own interests and find friends who share those interests,” Heckel said. “They are provided many fun opportunities they may not be able to experience in another organization. I believe it’s also great career exploration.”
Heckel has heard of many examples of individuals who started a hobby or project in 4-H and it ended up being their career.
“One such example is a friend of mine from childhood. He joined my 4-H club when we were young and took all of the photography projects. After high school he attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and became a photographer,” Heckel said. “Success stories like that always make me grin.”
For youth looking to explore their interests and maybe even discover a career, now is the time to learn new skills and find new friends in 4-H.