What Is 4-H?
4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills as they work in partnership with caring adults. What does that mean? In 4-H we are committed to helping young people develop skills that will help them succeed. We want to empower all youth to reach their full potential.
4-H Is Positive Youth Development
In 4-H, youth learn by doing projects that are designed to fit their needs at different ages. Through a variety of projects—from food and forestry to rockets and rabbits—4-H gives children and teens opportunities to learn life skills, to practice them, and become confident in their ability to use them in the future. 4-H teaches young people how to meet their needs for belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity in positive ways.
4-H Is Hands-On Learning
Ohio 4-H works with young people in a variety of settings including schools, day camps, overnight camps, afterschool care, clubs, and other learning environments. Regardless of the environment, we rely on the experiential learning model in which learning takes place when youth experience, share, process, generalize, and apply a particular practice, idea, or piece of information.
4-H Is Based on Research
Ohio 4-H Youth Development is part of Ohio State University Extension. OSU Extension research shows that Ohio youth credit their 4-H clubs with making them better citizens, leaders, and communicators. Research from Tufts University shows that 4-H youth are competent, confident, caring, and connected, and that they exhibit strong character. The Tufts study shows that 4-H’ers contribute more to their families and communities, achieve higher grades in school and are more likely to go to college than youth who are not in 4-H, or even youth who participate in other out-of-school programs. In addition, youth involved in 4-H lead healthier, more productive lives, are less likely to suffer from depression and are less likely to participate in risky behaviors like drinking and smoking.
Looking for a 4-H Club? Hocking County 4-H Clubs Accepting New Members
- Current members and volunteers may enroll themselves in 4HOnline from January 2 through March 29, 2024. NEW MEMBERS should call our office at 740-385-3222 and we will assist you in enrolling online.
- Cloverbuds must choose project 710 Cloverbud Activities. Cloverbuds may not enroll in any other project.
- Traditional project members should choose all projects they are interested in taking before submitting enrollment. Once enrollments are approved you will not be able to go back and add projects.
- New Member Only Enrollment Form - Email the completed form to seum.6@osu.edu or mail/dropoff at OSU Extention, Hocking County - 150 N Homer Ave Logan, OH 43138
Please call our office at 740-385-3222 if you'd like more information about joining Hocking County 4-H, or you may email Kayla Nihiser, 4-H Educator, at thompson.1860@osu.edu.
Membership Eligibility
Ohio 4-H membership is based on a child's age AND grade as of January 1 of the current calendar year. Eligibility for Cloverbud participation begins when a child is age 5 and enrolled in kindergarten. 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 December 31 the year he or she turns 19.
Joining Ohio 4-H is a privilege and responsibility for individuals and is subject to the Ohio 4-H Code of Conduct and applicable policies of The Ohio State University.
Accommodations can be made for youth with disabilities through our Winning 4-H Plan.
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