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Ohio 4-H Youth Development

Ohio State University Extension

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Ohio 4-H Highlights: May 2021

  1. 4-H camp is back

    3 girls sitting around a fire roasting marshmallows.

    Ohio 4-H educators are making the best summer experience even better with plans for a summer of innovative camp opportunities for Ohio 4-H youth.

    2020 saw the cancellation of Ohio 4-H camps due to COVID-19 restrictions. While camps will operate a bit differently this year to keep campers safe and follow safety guidelines, many traditional activities will still take place.

    “The Ohio 4-H Camping Design Team spent months developing plans for camp using guidelines from the American Camp Association, The Ohio State University, and the Ohio Department of Health,” said Frances Foos, a 4-H educator with Ohio State University Extension.

    “Data shows that camp contributes to the mental and physical well-being of youth,” she said. “And with all that kids have been through the past 18 months, going to camp could make a positive difference.” A campfire with kids sitting in the background.

    New health requirements will be followed to keep youth and counselors safe at day and overnight camps.

    “Campers will be with counselors in groups of 10 or less, based on the size of cabins,” said Hannah Epley, camping and older youth specialist and interim associate state 4-H leader. “They will stay with that group for all activities and meals, limiting their exposure to others.”

    Those activities will be supervised by 4-H professionals and teen counselors who have spent months preparing for camp with trainings held via Zoom. One girl guiding another blind-folded girl through a trust and communication exercise.

    Some counties are offering a day camp experience instead of overnight camp. For example, Wood County 4-H members have the option of two, daylong programs at Camp Palmer.

    “We’ve planned crafts, a dance, swimming, and a carnival,” said Jayne Roth, a 4-H educator. “All the traditional camp activities fit into one day. I think it will be exciting for our counselors and will leave the kids excited to come back to camp next year.”

    Whether youth attend day or overnight, the opportunity to attend 4-H camp this summer signals a return to something familiar for them.

    To help send more kids to camp, a “Camp Is Making a Comeback” 4-H Camp Buckeye Funder begins May 24, with a theme of “Help Us Send S’more Kids to Camp.” Due to the pandemic, camps needed donations for survival last summer. This year, the camps are bouncing back.

    Those who donate $150 to 4-H camps will receive a 4-H camp-themed candle in the scent of s’mores and campfire. Those who donate $250 will receive two of the scented candles. To learn more or to give, visit give.osu.edu/4hcamps.

  2. Camp is making a comeback!

    A group of campers sitting on a bench.

    Last year, Ohio 4-H camps were canceled due to COVID-19 and concern for the health of campers, staff, and volunteers. It was a financial challenge for camp facilities, but this year, overnight camps are happening throughout the state. As camps slowly return to full capacity, there are still financial needs.

    Today kicks off Send S’more Kids to 4-H Camp! During this campaign, you can donate to the Ohio 4-H camp of your choice at give.osu.edu/4hcamps. Donors who give $150 are eligible for an exclusive 4-H candle with a s’more and campfire scent, featuring a specially designed label by Ohio 4-H members, shown below. Help us Send S’more Kids to 4-H Camp today! Just 100 candles are available—don’t miss out!

    Check out the winners of our Send S’more Kids to 4-H Camp art contest. Congratulations! 

    Text: "Thanks for helping us send s'more kids to camp!" with a 4-H clover on the left and right of the text. The drawing also has a boy sitting on a log, roasting a marshmallow and a girl sitting on a log playing guitar.

    Text: "Thanks for helping us send s'more kids to 4-H camp!" arched across the top of a 4-H clover. Cardinal directions are labeled on the clover. Inside the clover is a drawing of a forest, a tent, and a campfire as well as "4-H' surrounded by other clovers.

    There is an outline of the state of Ohio with a s'more in the middle and a 4-H clover centered on the s'more. "thanks for helping" is arched across the top of Ohio and "us send s'more kids to camp!" is arched below the outline of Ohio.

  3. Ohio 4-H participates in National 4-H Conference

    Jennifer Sirangelo presenting in a Zoom meeting.

    The National 4-H Conference is a civic engagement opportunity for youth representing land-grant universities. Held annually in Washington, D.C., this year’s program was hosted virtually in April, and Ohio sent five youth delegates.

    Emily Scaff (Scioto County), Elizabeth Fannin (Jackson County), Sydney Fannin (Warren County), Cadence Richard (Allen County), and Piper Brill (Franklin County) represented Ohio 4-H for the five-day conference that included roundtable discussions, networking, and meeting with elected officials.

    6 people meeting on Zoom. Top row: man, woman, woman. Bottom row: woman, man, man.The virtual format of the conference encouraged 4-H participants to develop positive relationships with youth from across the country in new ways. Delegate Elizabeth Fannin said, “I learned how to work efficiently with a team via Zoom. Not only was our project time-sensitive, but we also had to ensure it was professionally done. To accomplish that, we had to break down technological barriers and work towards a common goal.”

    During roundtable sessions, youth participated in briefings and topics ranging from rural development to older youth opportunities. Ohio 4-H alumna Emmy Beck-Aden facilitated a roundtable topic and said, “We partnered with USDA Rural Development and provided suggestions and ideas to increase job acquisition and retention in rural communities. I enjoyed seeing delegates come together to research and brainstorm ideas as they prepared their briefings and interacted with federal agency representatives.”

    Justin Bower, Ohio 4-H educator from Logan County, served as the conference capnote speaker. A young man giving a presentation via Zoom.“It was an honor to see how this generation of community leaders will impact and change the people, places, policies, and world around them. 4-H youth continually inspire me as they turn their passions into reality.”

    Delegate Emily Scaff is excited to use the lessons she learned at the conference. “I plan to work with other 4-H’ers to create positive change in our area, and I hope to keep working to find solutions that could help bridge the career gap in my rural community.”

    Piper Brill added, “There are so many passionate 4-H’ers around the country who are eager to make change. Despite being online for the conference, working with different individuals from all around the country was inspiring and incredibly heartwarming.”

    Ohio 4-H was also represented by Matthew Swearingen (Adams County), who served on the National Conference Youth Leadership Team. A young man speaking on Zoom.Collegiate roundtable facilitators included Molly Hunt (Darke County), Samantha Mozena (Muskingum County), and Maddie Allman (Vinton County). Sally McClaskey (State 4-H office) served as a panel moderator. Crystal Sheppard (Adventure Central) and Sarah Longo (State 4-H office) served as chaperones, and Kayla Oberstadt (State 4-H office) served her third year as an advisor to roundtable facilitators.

    Ohio’s National 4-H Conference delegates are grateful for the financial support provided by the Ohio 4-H Foundation for this educational and leadership opportunity. Would you like to support this program? You can donate here.

  4. Sponsor a clock trophy!

    Clock trophies and purple outstanding of day ribbons

    Summer is rapidly approaching, and while we won’t be able to enjoy the Ohio State Fair this year, state-level project judging will take place at the Lausche Building on the state fairgrounds. Each year this is an opportunity for 4-H youth across the state to be evaluated for honors in their project area. Top winners in each special interest project area receive a clock trophy. These awards represent hours of hard work, dedication, and commitment on the part of 4-H’ers.

    4-H alumna Emmy Beck-Aden shared the impact of receiving a clock trophy. “The clock trophy is a memorable experience for many members’ 4-H journey. I have been blessed to receive clock trophies during my 4-H career, and each one reminds me of my passion for that project and my determination to use what I’ve learned to truly make the best better.”

    You can be a part of this special program by sponsoring a clock trophy for just $45. Sponsors are recognized with an inscription on the award and on the Ohio 4-H Foundation website. Contact ohio4hfoundation@osu.edu to sponsor one or more of the trophies below and help us recognize #TrueLeaders! A group of 4-H members holding purple Outstanding of the Day ribbons.

    Available trophies to sponsor:

    • Pet Rabbits (ages 11–13)
    • Pet Rabbits (ages 14–18)
    • Companion Animal Self-Determined (ages 8–18)
    • Around the Globe
    • Party Planner: A 4-H Guide to Quantity Cooking—Junior
    • Party Planner: A 4-H Guide to Quantity Cooking—Senior
    • Dashboard Dining—Junior
    • Dashboard Dining—Senior
    • Snack Attack!—Junior
    • Snack Attack!—Senior
    • Let’s Start Cooking—Junior
    • Let’s Start Cooking—Senior
    • Take a Break for Breakfast—Junior
    • Take a Break for Breakfast—Senior
    • Medicine Science and Safety
    • Tracking Your Health and Fitness
    • Edible Landscapes
    • Shooting Sports, Rifle—Junior
    • Shooting Sports Contest Shooting Sports Topic—Senior
    • Workforce Preparation Day—Intermediate

  5. Faces of Ohio 4-H

    A young woman smiling at the camera.

    Each month we highlight an Ohio 4-H alum. They have amazing stories to share, from their personal experience in 4-H to how they have given back to the program. This month we feature Callia Barwick, a Mahoning County 4-H alumna.

    Callia is a 19-year-old student at Ohio Wesleyan University, where she is studying pre-law and history. She was a 4-H member for 13 years in Mahoning County, showing horses, dogs, and goats, along with completing many other projects. Callia was selected as the Mahoning County 4-H Queen and was inducted into the Ohio 4-H Teen Hall of Fame. She also served as a 4-H Health Hero and was a member of the Ohio 4-H State Fashion Board. Callia attended the 4-H National Healthy Living Summit delivering remarks to the assistant secretary of education, was a part of a national 4-H ad campaign for sponsors, and represented 4-H and the partnership with JOANN.

    Here’s Callia sharing how 4-H impacted her life:

  6. Calendar of events

    A young woman climbing a rock wall, looking up at the camera.

    May 24 to June 24, Send S’more Kids to Camp: Buckeye Funder Campaign—4-H camp is making a comeback this summer! However, our camps are still feeling the impact of the pandemic in 2020 and reduced capacity in 2021. Help ensure we can send s’more kids to camp in the future by donating to 4-H camp. Visit give.osu.edu/4hcamps to support Ohio 4-H Camps.

    May 25, Virtual Poultry Clinic (Zoom)—6:30 p.m. Learn the basics of raising backyard chickens, ducks, and more! Tim McDermott, DVM and Extension educator, will discuss key aspects to managing your flock. Topics covered include care, housing essentials, and general nutrition. This clinic is geared toward youth, but all ages are invited. Register at go.osu.edu/2021backyardpoultry.

    June 1, Coffee with the Master Gardeners (Columbus)—8–10 a.m. Join Franklin County Master Gardeners for a monthly hands-on gardening workshop. For information and registration, visit go.osu.edu/coffeeMGV.

    June 1, 15, 29, Food Preservation Basics (Zoom)—4 p.m. Are you interested in learning about food preservation? Join us for these free webinars. Register at go.osu.edu/summer2021foodpreservationbasics.

    June 8, Van Wert County 4-H Chicken BBQ (Van Wert)—3 p.m. The Van Wert County 4-H Chicken BBQ will be held on June 8 at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. This year’s meal will be carryout only. Tickets are $9. All proceeds benefit Van Wert County 4-H. Call the Van Wert County Extension office if you’d like to purchase a ticket or have questions, 419-238-1214.

    June 27, 4-H Craft and Vendor Show (Hicksville)—10 a.m. Defiance County 4-H and Junior Fair are hosting a craft and vendor show at the Defiance County Fairgrounds to raise funds for junior fair projects. Click here for more information.

    July 10, Educational Dairy Tour (Bellville)—10 a.m. Spend the morning and early afternoon with the Morrow County Dairy Association at a working dairy farm, featuring a free, hands-on educational tour. Delicious dairy treats will be provided. For more information, click here. Please RSVP by June 25 to the Morrow County Extension office, 419-947-1070.