Become a 4-H Volunteer

Volunteers are the foundation of the 4-H youth development program. Behind every 4-H member is an adult mentor who is willing to share their time and passion.

Applications are currently being accepted for new 4-H Volunteers.  Candidates must complete an application, submit three references, complete a background check, attend an interview and participate in a new volunteer orientation.  Applications must be submitted by February 15.

Orientation for new volunteers will be held on Wednesday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m., in the 4-H Hall.

Click here to access the new volunteer application.

Completed applications must be submitted by email to burdsall.9@osu.edu or mail to 1000 Locust Street, P.O. Box 670, Owensville, Ohio 45160. Must be post marked or email by February 15.

2024 4-H Volunteer Training

It’s time to start a new 4-H year!  Below is a list of volunteer training options along with the registration links.  All returning volunteers are required to attend ONE training in order to remain active.   Both the in-person and live virtual training options meet the training requirement. Registration is due by Wednesday, February 14, unless stated otherwise.

Training Options for Returning 4-H Volunteers

  • 4-H Volunteer Training (In-person)
    Thursday, February 22, 10:00 a.m., 4-H Hall
    Topics include: 4-HOnline 2.0, club finances, program management, and Activities and Programming with Minor Participants
    Click here to register
  • 4-H Volunteer Training (In-person)
    Thursday, February 22, 6:30 p.m., 4-H Hall

    Topics include: 4-HOnline 2.0, club finances, program management, and Activities and Programming with Minor Participants
    Click here to register
  • 4-H Volunteer Training(Live Virtual Training)
    Wednesday, February 28, 6:30 p.m., Zoom

    Topics include: 4-HOnline 2.0, club finances, program management, and Activities and Programming with Minor Participants
    Click here to register here
  • Ohio 4-H Conference
    Saturday, March 9, 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m., Greater Columbus Convention Center
    Cost: $40 (includes lunch and 50% will be reimbursed by 4-H Committee)
    Registration is due to the Extension Office by Wednesday, February 7.  Event details and registration can be found at the link below:
    https://ohio4h.org/events/ohio-4-h-conference
    * Volunteers must attend session 407 or 518 for attendance to be counted toward volunteer training requirement

Training Options for New 4-H Volunteers

  • New Volunteer Orientation
    Wednesday, March 6, 6:30 p.m., 4-H Hall
    Topics include: About 4-H, Volunteerism, Club Management, Working with Youth, Risk Management, and Activities and Programming with Minor Participants
    Click here to register here

Register for the Ohio 4-H Conference

The 2024 Ohio 4-H Conference will bring together 4-H volunteers and teens (age 13 and older) from across Ohio. You can participate in a variety of educational sessions that offer something for everyone!  The event will be held on Saturday, March 9 from 9:00a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.  The cost to attend is $40 and includes lunch. The Clermont County 4-H Committee will reimburse 50% of the registration fee to volunteers and members, after the conference.  Join us as we learn from one another to make the best better for Ohio 4-H programs.

Event details and registration can be found at:
https://ohio4h.org/events/ohio-4-h-conference

Join Us at the 4-H Open House

Did you know that 4‑H is America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people? Come find out why at the Clermont County 4-H Open House.

When:  Saturday February 3rd, 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Where:  4-H Hall at Clermont County Fairgrounds, Owensville, Ohio.

Who:  Any youth ages 5-18 and their families, who are interested in joining 4-H or want to learn more.

What:  Hands on activities to complete to get a taste of 4-H. (activities involving sewing, electricity, art, Legos, animal science and more)  

Talk with club leaders and members, see project opportunities, and find a club to join.  Learn how to join 4-H. Get the basics of 4-H and find answers to your questions about the program. 

If you can’t join us, but would still like more information about 4-H, contact us at 513-732-7070 or clermont.osu.edu

Clubs are invited to participate to recruit members or assist with activities, please contact the office to sign-up.

Attention Market Beef and Market Turkey Exhibitors

FairEntry will be open through January 10, 2024, for Market Beef and Turkey.

All Clermont County Fair livestock exhibitors exhibiting Market Beef and Market Turkeys must register their livestock projects in FairEntry AND come to the fairgrounds on January 13 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Market Beef animals will need to be weighed and tagged, and Market Turkey Exhibitors will need to pay for their birds ($42.00) on January 13, 2024, to show at the 2024 Fair.

The link for FairEntry is https://clermont-county.fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/19544.

Enroll in 4-H Today!

4-H enrollment season is here! Registration for the Clermont County 4-H program is due by March 15Both youth and volunteers are required to enroll in 4-H Online.

While youth can join 4-H anytime throughout the year, in order to be eligible to exhibit at the Clermont County Fair, members must enroll by March 15, 2024.  It’s important to note that club advisors may have established an earlier date for club purposes.

Click the link below to access the  enrollment database.   We recommend bookmarking this page for easier access.

4-H Online 2.0

RETURNING Families will use the email address that is on file with the Extension office and the password previously created for 4-H Online.  If you don’t remember your password, you can choose “reset password” on the home page of 4-H Online.  If you are not sure which email address you used, please contact the office or your club advisor.  If you have been in 4-H before, please DO NOT create a new profile.

Returning Member Enrollment Help Video

Step-by-Step Instruction Guide for Returning Members

Step-by-Step Instruction Guide for Returning Volunteers

NEW families, those who have not previously been involved with 4-H, will need to create a new profile following the instructions below.

New Member Enrollment Help Video

Step-by-Step Instruction Guide for New Members

If you are looking for a new project or still trying to decide what to take, check out the “What’s your 4-H?” Quiz!

If you have questions, please contact the Extension Office at 513-732-7070.

Accepting 2024 Camp Counselor Applications

We are now accepting 4-H Camp Counselor Applications!

Youth from Clermont and Hamilton Counties, ages 15-18 (as of January 1) are eligible to apply.

Camp will be held June 12-15, at 4-H Camp Graham, located in Clarksville, Ohio.

Click the link below for more details and to access the application.  Applications are due by 11:59p.m. on Monday, January 15.

2024 Clermont/Hamilton County Camp Counselor Application

Donate to the Clermont County 4-H Food Drive

Clermont County 4-H is accepting donations of canned fruit, vegetables, and soup to help stock the shelves of the Clermont County Job and Family Services Food Pantry.  Donations can be dropped off at the Extension Office Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m., and will be accepted through December 13.  Please make sure that your donations are not expired. The food drive is a great way for your club, business or organization to support families in our community.

Real Money. Real World.: Students at Bethel-Tate High School Link Education with Future Lifestyle Choices

With the help of many teachers who staffed 14 business booths, eighth graders from Bethel-Tate High School participated in a Real Money. Real World. simulation. Students were assigned a career, a monthly salary and a specific number of children. Each student visited the various booths making spending choices based on their family situation hoping they would have enough money to make ends meet at the end of the
month.

The program includes four classroom lessons to prepare students to assume the role of a 27-year-old adult who is the primary income provider for a family. They received an occupation, monthly salary, and the number of children they are raising. Students learned to subtract savings, taxes, and other deductions from their monthly income. The amount of money left over is what they spent during the simulation activity. Students spent their money at booths staffed by teachers on items typically found in a monthly budget including housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, child care, and transportation. Throughout the activity, students kept track of their finances and attempted to complete the simulation with a positive balance.

The program is a product of The Ohio State University and was organized for the school by OSU Extension, Clermont County in collaboration with Principal, George Sturgeon.

One of the biggest surprises to participants was the cost of child care. One youth, who came into the simulation with only an $1,800 monthly salary and two children, was discouraged to discover at the child care booth that day care for his two children would be over $880. Volunteers at the Financial Assistance booth assisted him in getting a second part-time job after he discovered that “giving his children back” was not an option.

“I had three kids, so I had to give up my sports car to have enough money,” noted one student of his experience in the simulation.

During the post-simulation lesson, students reflected on their experience and what they learned by completing a self-assessment. The students thoroughly enjoyed their experience but were shocked at how hard it was to meet a monthly budget. Many had newfound respect for their parents and what they deal with on a daily basis. At the end of the experience, student comments included, “Kids are expensive,” “I need to stay in school and graduate in order to get a better job later,” “Life is a whole lot harder than I thought,” and “I need to get the important stuff out of the way first.”

As reported in a Real Money. Real World. follow-up study, students reported significant changes in their financial behavior after the program. Over 80% of participants reported changes in the extent to which they now repay money owed on time, set aside money for the future, and compare prices. Over three-fourths of students indicated they now think more carefully about spending money.

Students participating in the Upward Bound program at UC Clermont will be participating in the program in early December.

If you would like more information about the Real Money. Real World. program, please contact Kelly Royalty, 4-H/FCS Educator, at the royalty.9@osu.edu.

Scudder Named Friend of Clermont County 4-H

The Friend of 4-H award is to recognize individuals, families, businesses or organizations for their leadership and support of the Clermont County 4-H program.  This year’s winner of the Clermont County Friend of 4-H award goes to Michael Scudder.

As Executive Chef of Taste of the Good Life catering, Michael consistently goes above and beyond in his service to Clermont County 4-H. Whether it is catering an event, or judging 4-H member cooking projects, Michael always approaches the opportunities with a smile on his face and joy in his heart.

The Taste of the Good Life has provided healthy and delicious meals for many 4-H events. From the annual volunteer banquet to the CARTEENS meetings, Michael shows his creativity in catering. He is always willing to work with a theme and develop a menu to compliment the activity.

In addition to his delicious meals, we are thankful for his willingness to provide encouragement and guidance to 4-H members during the Clermont County project judging for food and nutrition projects. He helps the youth understand their projects and encourages them to continue cooking, trying new projects, and has even been known to offer a job shadowing experience.

Thank you, Michael for your support of the Clermont County 4-H Program.