Ohio 4-H Week
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As part of the nation’s largest youth development and youth mentoring organization, Ohio 4-H is known for its excellence in providing hands-on learning activities.
Ohio 4-H Week culminates in the Ohio 4-H Conference on March 14 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. This year, nearly 1,400 people are expected to attend. At the conference, 4-H teens and volunteers will participate in workshops to hone their skills, learn about 4-H projects, and find out about additional opportunities that 4-H offers.
4-H youth development involves 6 million participants nationwide. In 2014, more than 216,000 young Ohioans participated in traditional 4-H clubs, camps and school enrichment programs, as well as other Extension youth groups and educational activities. In addition, nearly 18,000 Ohioans volunteered with Ohio 4-H.
Membership in the 4-H club program is open to youths who are at least 8 years old as of January 1 and in the third grade through December 31 of the year they reach age 19. The youngest members are “Cloverbuds,” who participate in a non-competitive program for youth who are age 5 or older and in kindergarten (through age 8 and in third grade).
The core benefits of 4-H are the hands-on learning experiences for members, as well as the teamwork, leadership and community service activities in which 4-H members “learn by doing” for their fellow members and their communities. In addition, Ohio 4-H members are eligible to apply for college scholarships. More information is available at www.ohio4h.org/4-h-youth/teens/awards-scholarships/ohio-4-h-scholarships.
In addition to traditional club activities, Ohio 4-H offers camps, after-school programs, school enrichment programs, and special STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities. To become involved or to learn more about Ohio 4-H youth development, visit www.ohio4h.org or check out https://extension.osu.edu/lao#county for information about the Extension office in your county.