2024 Camp Dates – Mark Your Calendars

Start planning for Summer 2024, Fairfield County 4-H will have FOUR summer camp options for youth. Youth will sign up for camp based on the grade of school instead of age. This will be the camper’s grade as of May 1, 2024. Registration will be open May 1-15, 2024! We hope you are as excited as we are, so save the date and join us at Alley Park or Tar Hollow next summer!

**Please note, Camp Counselors who are still eligible to attend Senior Camp as a camper will not be slated to counsel at this camp. The Fairfield County 4-H Camp Staff are adding special things to Senior Camp that only our oldest campers will get to experience like paint wars, outdoor cooking, kayaking, and more!**

Youth Opportunity: STEM Camp at Canter’s Cave (Jackson, OH)

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!!

2023 STEM Camp Flyer

Camp Registration Opens May 1st

Fairfield County 4-H Camp Registration opens May 1st! Registration is completed entirely online and spots are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Read on to learn more about 4-H camp this summer.

What will we do at Camp?

Our camp counselors are hard at work making sure we’re going to have the best summer yet. Tar Hollow activities include swimming and boating at Pine Lake, nature, crafts, recreation, tye-dye, campfires, inspiration, and many other activities. Alley Park activities include archery, canoeing, crafts, games, songs, campfire, tye dye, and more!

 Camp Dates: 

  • Day Camp (Grades 3,4,5,6,7,8,9) – June 13-15 – Alley Park
  • Cloverbud Day Camp (grades K-2, Cloverbud Members) – June 17 – Alley Park
  • Junior Camp (Grades 3,4,5) – June 20-23 – Tar Hollow
  • Senior Camp (Grades 6,7,8,9) – June 30-July 3– Tar Hollow

 Registration Details:

  • Registrations will be completed online and are on a first-come-first-serve basis starting on May 1, 2023 through May 15, 2023. Families will have the option to join a waitlist if all spots fill up for the camp they want to attend.
  • Registration can be found here: go.osu.edu/FCCamp
  • Payment Info:
    • Payment by credit card will be available this year (online only).
    • If you will be paying by check or cash, please select appropriate payment type in the registration process and mail or drop off your payment (check or cash) to the OSUE office (OSU Extension, 831 College Ave., Suite D, Lancaster, OH 43130). Make checks payable to: OSU EXTENSION. There will be a $30.00 charge for all returned checks.
    • Registration will be considered complete upon receipt of application and payment.
  • Once registration is complete and payment received, additional information will be provided electronically via email or can be printed upon request at the Fairfield County Extension Office including what to bring, necessary forms, and a map to camp.

 Registering Multiple Campers?

  • Each camper must complete an online registration form.
  • Families with multiple children attending camp(s) who want to pay with a credit card can:
    • process payment with each registration, or
    • wait until the last registration is complete and finish the credit card processing after submitting registration on the last camper.
  • Please add all fees together and list ALL members names /camps in the description to ensure payment is applied correctly.

 Friend Requests can be made during the registration process. We recognize the importance of sharing a camp experience with a friend. To request the same cabin as a friend, both campers must name each other in the registration process. A maximum of two campers can request to be together. This is the only opportunity to request a cabin assignment with your friend.

  • Please remember, there is no guarantee that the request can be honored, but we will do our best.
  • If you have questions or concerns, please contact Aubry Fowler, Camp Director, at Fowler.443@osu.edu.

 Bertha Wilson Trust will provide a 50% campership again this year, if registered by midnight on Monday, May 15th.

  • Members will only have to pay $50 for Day Camp, $100 for Intermediate or Junior Camp, and $25 for Cloverbud Camp.
  • Members are welcome to attend both Day Camp and Overnight at Tar Hollow if they wish and if spaces are available. However, they will only receive a campership for the Tar Hollow camp and will be required to pay the full amount ($100) to attend Day Camp. If you are interested in attending both camps, please email fairfield4h@osu.edu to receive more information about registration and payment options.

Member Handbook Typo – Camp Move In Days

Hello 4-H Families,

Thank you to all who have read their member handbook and sent us clarifying questions about camp information. We apologize for these typos and wanted to provide clarification.

The following information is correct and has been updated in the member handbook on page 47:

Camp Check-In: Camp Dismissal:
Day Camp Daily, 9:00am (June 13-15) Daily, 4:00pm (June 13-15)
Cloverbud Camp Saturday, June 17, 9:00-9:30am Saturday, June 17, 4:00pm
Junior Camp Tuesday, June 20, 3:30-4:30pm Friday, June 23, 10:00am
Senior Camp Friday, June 30, 3:30-4:30pm Monday, July 3, 10:00am

We will fix this in the online handbook and any books printed going forward. Please let our office (740-653-5419) if you have any questions!

Member Handbook Typo – Camp Fee Correction

Hello 4-H Families,

We have been notified that the camp fee chart in the Member Handbook is incorrect. The fees for Day Camp & Cloverbud Camp are switched. We will fix this in the online handbook and any books printed going forward.

The correct information is below:

CAMP FEES: Camp Full Fee Campership Amount Due (by May 15th)
Day Camp (grades 3,4,5,6,7,8,9) (June 13th-15th) $100.00 $50.00 $50.00
Cloverbud Day Camp (grades K-2) (June 17th) $50.00 $25.00 $25.00
Junior Camp (grades 3,4,5 ) (June 20th-23rd) $200.00 $100.00 $100.00
Senior Camp (grades 6,7,8,9) (June 30th-July 3rd) $200.00 $100.00 $100.00

Camp registration will open May 1st and be completed electronically (go.osu.edu/FCCamp). If you have any questions, please contact our office at 740-653-5419. Thank you!

Counselors and Adult Staff needed for Ohio 4-H Sea Camp!

Ohio 4-H Sea Camp returns for 2023 and we are in need of filling our roster of counselors and adult staff! Position descriptions are available online at go.osu.edu/seacamp for adult camp staff and guest instructors, while the camp counselor description can be found in the application survey specific to camp counselors. Please share as you see fit!

Applications Available for Sea Camp Staff and Counselors!

  • What: Ohio 4-H Sea Camp Staff and Counselor Recruitment
  • Who: 4-H members or adults ages 18+ at the time of July 14, 2023
  • When: Applications are available now and due by April 15! Camp is July 14-18, 2023 with staff and counselors arriving on July 13 at Kelleys Island for required training.
  • Website: go.osu.edu/seacamp
  • Applications available: Cabin Counselor, Adult Camp Staff, Guest Instructor

If you are interested in contributing to Sea Camp this year, please complete either the Counselor Application (to be a cabin counselor) or Staff Application (to be adult staff or instructor). Links are below.

If you are interested in being a counselor, please complete the counselor application and send the reference form link to be completed by two references (not immediate family). If you are interested in being a staff member/instructor, please complete the staff application. Applications and references are due by April 15, 2022.

Counselor Application: go.osu.edu/4HSeaCampCounselor

Counselor Reference Form: go.osu.edu/SeaCampReference

Staff Application: go.osu.edu/4HSeaCampStaff 

Ohio Military Kids Camp Counselor Applications Live!

Hello 4-H Camp Counselors!

I would like to invite you to participate in a unique opportunity to be part of a statewide camp counselor team this summer! Ohio Military Kids (OMK) has launched applications for 2023 Camp Kelleys Island! If this is an opportunity you’d like to pursue, please read on and complete the online application links below!

CAMP DATES for 2023:

  • Teen Camp (campers ages 12-15) – July 30-August 3 with mandatory staff training on July 28-30
  • Youth Camp (campers ages 9-11) – August 6-10 with mandatory staff training on August 4-6
  • Optional In-Person Counselor Training: Thursday, June 22, 2023 in Columbus, OH

Keep in mind opportunities for involvement with your local county fairs and the Ohio State Fair this summer. It is possible to be involved as an OMK Camp Counselor and participate in your 4-H activities, but be mindful of your potential involvement in project judging days.

Camp activities include: swimming, archery, crafts, games, snorkeling, kayaking, tie dying, visits from military special guests, large group activities, campfire songs, skits, dances, and so much more! Housing for all staff and campers is traditional cabins with bunks.

If you are interested in applying to be a counselor, please complete the following steps:

  1. Complete an application as a New or Returning Counselor (to Ohio Military Kids): go.osu.edu/OMKVolunteer
    • This is open to any 4-H members who are returning as a counselor for OMK or are NEW to being a counselor for OMK. Age eligibility is 15 years and older.
  2. Have 2 references completed

APPLICATION AND REFERENCES ARE DUE BY: 11:59 pm, February 5, 2023

Please let me know if you have any questions! I appreciate the continued enthusiasm and partnership of our 4-H teen leaders with military youth!

Yours in 4-H, Justin Bower

Apply Now to be a 2023 Camp Counselor!

2023 Camp Counselor Application is now posted as an online application for youth interested in serving as a new or returning Camp Counselor (must be 14 & older to be a counselor by June 1st).

As you complete the online application, you will be asked to upload the following completed forms:

1. Standards of Behavior form

2. Ohio 4-H Camp Cell Phone Policy and Tar Hollow Electronics Policy/Camp Counselor Code of Conduct form

3. Counselor Permission to Participate – 2023 Fairfield County 4-H Camps form

4. Ohio 4-H Health Statement with picture

Please also have at least 2 references including name and email ready when you are working on your online application. The extension office will contact your references for you.

Remember that  2023 camp dates are as follows:

    • Day Camp (Grades 3-9) – June 13-15 at Alley Park
    • Cloverbud (Grades K-2) – June 17 at Alley Park
    • Junior (Grades 3-5) – June 20-23 at Alley Park, Staff Move In June 19
    • Senior – June 30 (Grades 6-9) – July 3 at Alley Park, Staff Move In June 29

If you have any questions, please contact Aubry (Fowler.443@osu.edu)!

4-H Older Youth Opportunities – Applications are open!

Do you want to be a camp counselor? Junior Fair Board Member? Junior Leader? Outstanding 4-H’er?  Scholarship or Award Trip winner? Do you find yourself asking “How do I get to do that?” We suspect that as you have gotten older you have started to look for new and exciting things where you can be involved. Read on… 4-H has special opportunities for teens only where YOU can play a part!

The purpose of this email today is to inform you of the many exciting opportunities that await you as a teenager in the Fairfield County 4-H Program. The opportunities in awards, trips, scholarships and more available to teens in the 4-H program are incredible. Do not miss out on learning more and getting involved! Most of these opportunities are open to 4-H members ages 14 and up as of January 1st. Some of these activities require completion of special forms, such as applications or the Ohio 4-H Achievement Record, while others just involve asking for more information. Regardless of what you are interested in, be sure to call if you need more information or would like some help with the necessary forms. The deadline for the Ohio Achievement form and all applications is Friday, January 13th, 2023, so complete this survey soon so that you can get started.

To receive specific information about these opportunities, please select the link below:

2023 Older Youth Opportunities or copy and paste the URL: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1NVKQwp7hucroVw. Once you complete the survey, you will receive additional information by email regarding your areas of interest.

We look forward to hearing from you. If you have any question or need assistance with any applications or forms, feel free to call or email Leslie (740-277-4625) at cooksey.25@osu.edu or Aubry (740-277-4626) at fowler.443@osu.edu.

We encourage you all to broaden your 4-H experience and try something new. We think you will find many new friends and much more fun ahead!

4-H Junior Achievement Form & Youth Opportunities (ages 8-13)

Youth who have completed at least one year of project work through age 13 as of January 1st, 2023 are invited to record their 4-H accomplishments on the 2023 Fairfield County Junior Achievement Form! Achievement Forms are now available on our website under Member Resources. Or access here. Trip Awards are also available to Junior Achievement Form applicants for Carving New Ideas Workshop and the Junior Shooting Sports Education Camp (age/grade requirements and 4-H involvement are considered for trip award selection).

We also invite you to learn more about completion of this 4-H award form by attending the Junior Achievement Form Workshop on Thursday, December 8th at 6:00 p.m. at the Fairfield County Extension Office/Ag Center. Get ideas on how to fill out this form and WHY 4-H award forms are important! (see attached flyer)

Furthermore, if a 4-H member in your family has reached the age of 13 of January 1st 2023, they might find a few of the older youth opportunities of interest. Please consider age requirements accordingly for joining the following groups:

  • Junior Leaders (join at any time once you reach the age of 13 – contact Aubry Fowler for more info.
  • Junior Fair Board (application is due January 13th) – must be 14 by October 1st of 2023 to apply.
  • Fashion & Nutrition Board (application is due January 13th) – must be 13 to apply.
  • Camp Counselor (application is due January 13th) – must be 14 and older.

We look forward to hearing from you. If you have any question or need assistance with any applications or forms, feel free to call or email Leslie (740-277-4625) at cooksey.25@osu.edu or Aubry (740-277-4626) at fowler.443@osu.edu.

We encourage you all to broaden your 4-H experience and try something new. We think you will find many new friends and much more fun ahead!