The deadline for in-person programming for all Ohio State University Extension programming has been extended from to July 6th. All 4-H camps in Ohio have been canceled through August 31st.
We have updated all cancelations/postponements on our website here: https://brown.osu.edu/news/covid-19-updatescancellations-brown-county
An email was sent to all 4-H families on 4/7 that included a message from the state 4-H Leader Kirk Bloir on Ohio 4-H programming and summer camps. That email is below. Here are a few other key points for 4-H programming from Christy Clary, Extension Educator for 4-H.
- We are going to have a great 4-H year, it is just going to look a little different as we adapt to keep everyone safe and healthy.
- We are working to figure out what we need to cancel, postpone, and extend deadlines for and what options will look like. We will update you as soon as we know. One of the things we know is that 4-H is about teaching life skills and right now we are all learning to be adaptable.
- The enrollment deadline for 4-H has been extended to May 1st. If you are already enrolled you can log into your profile and add/change projects or if you are new to 4-H you can join! Go to http://oh.4honline.com to log into your profile or join. Enrollment help can be found at http://go.osu.edu/enrollmenthelp
- Quality Assurance information is forthcoming. If you choose there is an online option and information is on the website; we plan to offer additional options. Christy has a meeting today (4/8) to learn more about options. Please be patient with us as we figure these things out.
- If you are an adult who needs Pork Quality Assurance, James will be releasing some information soon. You may contact him at morris.1677@osu.edu for questions.
- Christy will be offering a virtual office hour from Noon-1pm on Friday via Zoom. If you have any thoughts, comments or ideas drop-in and let’s chat. You can join by clicking https://osu.zoom.us/j/722762029 or calling 1-646-876-9923 and using meeting Id: 722 762 029.
Dear 4-H members, families, volunteers and supporters,
It is with a heavy heart that I share this news with you. Due to ongoing health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision has been made to cancel all Ohio State University Extension in-person programming through July 6. This includes all 4-H programs, activities, and events. Additionally, we’ve made the very difficult decision to cancel all 4-H camps thru August 31. Although in-person programming is cancelled, we will continue to offer virtual 4-H experiences.
-We know this is an incredible disappointment and recognize how much everyone looks forward to our cherished 4-H summer events. As 4-H professionals committed to providing positive youth development programming, we share your sense of loss.
Given available information, we anticipate the next few weeks and months will continue to be critical times for stemming the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It is our duty to keep ourselves and those we serve safe through the education we provide and the modeling of safety-conscious behaviors. We do not want to get to the other side of this pandemic and wish that we had done more to keep our future generation of leaders safe and healthy.
While we are making decisions regarding the youth events we organize and manage (such as camps and 4-H project judging), we are deferring to local decision-makers and Governor DeWine’s administration on the events owned by others, such as county fairs. Our decision to cancel in-person 4-H activities and events through July 6 and summer camps, should not automatically imply that local county fairs are also canceled at this time. Please keep in mind that 4-H and our FFA colleagues support the education and development of youth, but the decision about whether fairs will occur is in the hands of others. This continues to be an evolving situation that will require some negotiation and monitoring depending on decisions. We will be ready should fairs move forward and to pivot if they are cancelled.
As we work through the impact of these decisions for 4-H activities and events in the weeks ahead, county OSU Extension 4-H professionals will share important updates and information with you as we develop and provide new online opportunities. We know the experiences will be different than we had hoped, yet we remain committed to working together to grow future generations of true leaders.
Yours in service to 4-H,
Kirk
Kirk Bloir, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development
College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences – Ohio State University Extension
Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, OH 43210
614-247-8168 Office
bloir.1@osu.edu | ohio4h.org | extension.osu.edu