4-H

Health HEROES

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Application for 2023-2024 Ohio 4-H Health HEROES are open. This statewide teen healthy living advocacy group are called HEROES because they serve as Health Education Resources for Outreach, Engagement, and Service. Youth will learn about current issues and topics in healthy living, learn lessons and activities to implement in their local 4-H community, will be tasked to create an action plan to create change in their local community, and will be a part of a statewide cohort who cares about the health and well-being of Ohio youth.

Benefits of becoming a 4-H Health Hero are:

  • Learning about a variety of healthy living topics
  • Gaining valuable leadership and communication skills
  • Meeting other 4-H youth from across Ohio who are invested in healthy living
  • Leaving a positive impact on your family, friends, and community
  • Promoting the 4th H!

In previous years we have had youth focus on making change in health topics such as; mental health, vaping, opioids, and more.

Youth who are passionate about health and in grades 9 through 12 may apply! For more information, important dates, and expectations, you may check out https://go.osu.edu/HealthHEROES.  Application is due Sunday, October 15th, 2023 by 11:59 pm.

Any questions, you may contact Justin Bower, State 4-H Healthy Living and Ohio Military Kids Educator at bower.183@osu.edu or at 614-247-1979.

2024 Health HEROES Flyer

Tractor Supply 2023 Fall Clover Campaign

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Since 2010, Tractor Supply has partnered with 4‑H to help create Opportunity4All and raise more than $14 million through the Paper Clover campaign. The success of these campaigns has impacted over 81,500 youth by providing them with the tools and resources they need to move forward and reach their full potential.

100 percent of funds raised through the bi-annual Paper Clover campaign directly benefits 4‑H youth. 80 percent of donations given at our Mount Vernon store, directly support 4‑H youth in Knox County.  The remaining 20 percent supports the overall mission and growth of 4‑H at the state level and nationally.

 

Mark your calendars to support October 4-15!

Fall Fun with Cloverbuds

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Autumn is here! Temperatures are getting cooler and days are getting shorter. Fall is a favorite of many families. There are so many things to enjoy about the fall, but what happens when chilly and rainy days upset your plans for a sun-filled perfect autumn day? Most of the following activities can be done inside, with warm dry clothes, still creating seasonal memories with your Cloverbuds.

Rainy Weather? Go out Anyway! In his 1973 book, “Coast to Coast”, Alfred Wainwright wrote “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Sometimes, rainy days make the best days outdoors. Popular outdoor areas, like pumpkin patches, the zoo, and the parks see a reduced attendance rate on less than picture perfect days, so you’ll have smaller crowds. Places like the zoo or aquarium have interspersed buildings that can provide a quick place to duck in if the weather is especially blustery. If you’re looking for an inexpensive outdoor experience, local metro parks or your own backyard are the perfect solution. Take your Cloverbuds (be sure to tell parents in advance so they can dress their Cloverbud for the weather) on a wet weather scavenger hunt for the biggest and smallest puddle, see who can create the biggest splash, find animals tracks in the mud, or make leaf boats to float. A bonus of parks and trails is gathering fallen leaves or materials to use to make art but be sure to leave the wildflowers for others to enjoy. (Know and follow your local park guidelines. Some have policies that state the only thing you should take is pictures.) So be prepared for a little rain and a little mud. Pack that extra change of clothing, strap on those rainboots, grab the raincoat, and enjoy the wet weather!

Looking for indoor activities to use with your Cloverbuds this fall? If you have leaves available in your backyard (or collected after a hike), use them to make some amazing works of art. Leaves can be used to make a nature art frame, or used outside for games and activities. Fall wildflowers such as ironweed and goldenrod make beautiful backgrounds for your frame too.

Thinking ahead to upcoming holidays, floral arrangements or wreaths make excellent indoor activities. Using materials from the discount store and hot glue, fun fall decorations can be made with budget friendly materials. Cut the center out of a paper plate and glue leaves and pinecones around the edges for a fall look or go spooky with tissue ghosts and black construction paper handprints.

Homemade play dough never goes out of style and can be used more than once if it is stored properly. Check your spice cabinet and add cinnamon, pumpkin or apple pie spice, or nutmeg to create a fragrant hands-on fall theme play day! Be sure to tell Cloverbuds not to eat the homemade play dough.

Carve pumpkins and use the seeds to make a salty snack or dye them and use for counting, making patterns, color sorting or creating seasonal art! Learn how to dye the harvested seeds and find a list of STEAM seed activities here.

Don’t forget to check out the Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch in a few weeks to register those apple crunches for Ohio which helps celebrate October as Farm to School month. Every tasty bite counts!

Resources:

childsplayabc.wordpress.com/2021/06/06/leaf-boats-and-rafts/

honeyandlime.co/fall-leaves-wreath-craft-for-kids/

munchkinfunathome.com/arts/playdough

messylittlemonster.com/2020/10/how-to-dye-pumpkin-seeds.html

 

Written by Lindsey Van Gundy

Don’t forget to check out the 4-H Cloverbud Connections: https://u.osu.edu/cloverbudconnections/ 

Booth Building 2023- Updated

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All clubs are able to sign up for a booth space this year! We encourage all clubs to reserve a space! This is how members will display their exhibits for still projects.  Let’s make our booth building an exciting place to visit! We need full booths, interesting exhibits and displays, and most important, welcoming 4-H members on patrol.

UPDATE: Clubs will not be needed for Sunday, July 16. Booth set-up night is Wednesday, July 19 from 3:00-8:00pm. During the construction time on July 19th, clubs wanting their own booths may allow members may check in projects. They must check in projects with Lindsey during that time. Clubs with booths are responsible for filling 4 hours of “booth patrol” during the week of fair. That sign-up is also below.

In order to receive the premium for a still project, it must be displayed in the booth building the entire week of fair. Still projects may be checked in Friday July 21 from 4:00-8:00pm or Saturday July 22 from 8:00am-12:00pm. No late arrivals will be accepted. **Remember: a project book is NOT an exhibit.** Cloverbuds will also have a specific booth to display any projects during the week.

 

Club Booth sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AACAB28A7FCCF8-2023

 

Booth Patrol Sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AACAB28A7FCCF8-booth

 

2023 4-H Cultural Immersion Project – Puerto Rico

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2023 4-H Cultural Immersion Project – Puerto Rico applications are open.  The  experience is from November 21 – November 29, 2023.

After receiving the application, follow-up interviews will be scheduled to select participants.  Final selections will be posted in mid-August.  4-H youth ages 15-18 (as of date of trip) are encouraged to apply. Teens must still be in high school as of the date of the trip to participate.

The cost is $1,400.  (This includes airfare, ground transportation, most meals, lodging, and program fees)

Deadline to Apply:  July 14, 2023

Teens will experience both the vibrant  Old San Juan urban area as well as life in the remote mountain town of Castañer.  The group be working with Puerto Rican 4-H members in joint service projects as well as leading a team building workshop for students at University Gardens High School in San Juan.  Outdoor recreation as well as daily cultural activities will challenge them to expand their worldview and examine their bias and stereotypes.

Call or email for questions.   brady.111@osu.edu or 513.695.1311

CIP Application Link:  go.osu.edu/CIP2023

4th H Club Challenge

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We pledge our “health to better living” but do we actually practice it? The 4th H Club Challenge encourages Ohio 4-H Clubs to learn, practice, and advocate for healthy choices and behaviors at 4-H club meetings. Practicing healthy habits and choices now has lifelong effects on the health of youth.

Each club that completes the challenge before the deadline will enter into the $100 voucher drawing for their region to use for their club (project books, educational tools, etc.)! Each region will have a winner. The first 25 clubs that complete the registration and pre-survey will get an extra entry. How does it work? Apply 3 healthy practices per meeting at 6 or more 4-H clubs/meetings from April – December 2023.

  1. Register and complete pre-survey.
  2. Record the dates and activities in the 4th H tracker link. (the tracker link will be provided after registering)
  3. Share a picture of your club doing a healthy practice on social media. Be sure to include the official hashtag #Ohio4thHClubChallenge.
  4. Submit all activities to the tracker link by December 31st, 2023.

More information can be found at https://go.osu.edu/4thHClubChallenge. Attached is a graphic both in PNG and PDF file for your newsletters, social media, etc.

4-H STEM Camp at Canter’s Cave

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Please see the attached flyer with information regarding our 4-H STEM Camp at Canter’s Cave.

  • Youth in grades 5-7 are invited to join us at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp June 19th-21st for STEM Camp 2023!
  • 4-H STEM Camp is an overnight camping opportunity for youth interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. We are excited to be able to offer STEM Camp at a reduced rate thanks to a 4-H Foundation Grant, lowering the cost of camp for youth to just $100.00.
  • Register by June 1st at go.osu.edu/4HSTEMCamp
  • Questions? Email allman.68@osu.edu or call (740) 286-5044

Additionally, we need camp counselors!! We are asking for male camp counselors to join us at STEM Camp if they are available. As of right now, we do not have enough male counselors to feel comfortable so if you have any teens interested in helping with camp, we’d greatly appreciate you sharing our message. If you have a camp counselor interested in helping, please have them email me at allman.68@osu.edu and we will get them connected. No STEM background or strengths required!!

Updates and Info 4/26/23

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Just a reminder for 4-H families:
 
The TSC paper clover spring fundraiser starts today! 90% of the money raised stays in our county and goes toward CAMP and LEADERSHIP activities for the 4-H youth. Spring Paper Clovers: 4/26/23 — 5/7/23
 
4/29/23 Cloverbud Saturday: Dress for the weather! We will be outside in nature for the majority of the program. **Still looking for some volunteers to help out!** We have several nature activities planned including a listening walk, book, leaf art and STEM activity.
Shooting Sports Range Days: We are changing the date from May 14 to MAY 7 so we avoid Mother’s Day. The range day will be held at Campbell’s Sportsman’s Club from 4:00-6:00pm that day. Please use the link to let up know if you will be attending the range day on May 7, May 28, or June 11 so we can prepare materials and supplies.  https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3k2dhqUIbs47jjo

Community Service Challenge

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Calling all 4-H Clubs! The Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council has a community service challenge for you in honor of Earth Day this month! We challenge you to complete one or more of these community service projects related to environmental stewardship listed on the attached flyer. If your club completes one of these activities, follow the link/ QR code listed to add your club’s name (go.osu.edu/4HClubEarthDay). You might be featured on our social media, AND you are automatically entered into a drawing to win a prize from the 4-H mall for your club! Entries are due by June 1st, 2023. Happy Earth Day, from The Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council!

Flyer: Earth Day Challenge TLC

Tractor Supply Company Clover Spring Campaign

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Since 2010, Tractor Supply has partnered with 4‑H to help create Opportunity4All and raise more than $14 million through the Paper Clover campaign. The success of these campaigns has impacted over 81,500 youth by providing them with the tools and resources they need to move forward and reach their full potential.

100 percent of funds raised through the bi-annual Paper Clover campaign directly benefits 4‑H youth. 80 percent of donations directly support 4‑H youth in the county where the funds were raised, and the remaining210 percent supports the overall mission and growth of 4‑H at the state level and nationally.

Dates for the 2023 Paper Clover Campaigns are:
Spring: April 26th – May 7th