Scholarship Opportunity: Dorrin and Ruth Ross Scholarship – DEADLINE EXTENDED thru April 15th

The scholarship was established by Dorrin and Ruth Ross. Natives of Licking County, Ohio, Dorrin and Ruth married and moved to Columbus in 1935. Mr. Ross began his career as a carpenter, worked for the Curtiss-Wright Company during World War II, and spent the remainder of his career with the Ohio Parole Board, working his way from Parole officer to a supervisor before he passed away in June, 1989. Following Ruth Ross’s graduation from Bliss College in Columbus, she became a corporate secretary and the owner and broker of Gateway Realty.

The scholarship is indicative of Mrs. Ross’s interest in supporting educational opportunities for rural students, inspired by the loss of her family’s farm during the Depression, after her graduation from college. The current administrator of the scholarship is the Ross’s niece, Mrs. Glenna Gibson of Lancaster. The Dorrin and Ruth Ross scholarship program has assisted 4-H and FFA youth in Fairfield County with scholarship funds for over 25 years.

  • Eligibility Criteria – Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
    Graduates or graduating high school seniors of Bloom Carroll High School or Fairfield Union High School;
    Past or present members of Fairfield County 4-H or Fairfield County Agriculture’s Future Farmers of American)FFA);
    Candidates must attend or plan to attend an educational institution in the U.S.

Deadline for the online application is April 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

NEW for this year the application is now ON-LINE and can be found at the Columbus Foundation site or at : https://cfprograms.smapply.io/prog/rossschol

Youth Opportunity: STEM Camp at Canter’s Cave

Registration for 4-H STEM Camp at Canter’s Cave is now available! This camp is available to any 5th-7th grade students interested in exploring STEM with a camp twist. A flyer is attached. Last year we had 53 campers at camp. We are hoping to double our numbers this year!

Registration and other information can be found at: go.osu.edu/4HSTEMCamp

  • When: June 10 – June 12, 2024
  • Where: Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp, Jackson OH (1362 Caves Rd. Jackson, OH 45640)
  • Cost: Camp fee: $100.00
  • Who: Camp is open to children completing 5th, 6th, or 7th grades this spring.
  • Registration Deadline: Tuesday, May 28th

We are also needing camp counselors! Please send any camp counselors interested in assisting with STEM camp our way. They do not need to be particularly strong in STEM to counsel this camp!

Youth Opportunity: BuckeyeNext – document your 4-H journey and earn credentials!

Introducing BuckeyeNext, powered by Suitable – Revolutionizing Youth Development in Ohio’s 4-H Program!

BuckeyeNext is on a mission to empower students by creating a groundbreaking stackable-credential framework. Through immersive experiential learning opportunities, students can earn industry-accepted credentials and cultivate expertise in occupational competencies. BuckeyeNext is not just an app; it’s the ultimate hub for 4-H youth to track their involvement and proudly showcase their development journey!

Open to middle- and high school-aged 4-H youth across Ohio!

  1. Register your email: go.osu.edu/buckeyenextoptin
  2. Download the suitable app: app.suitable.co
  3. Log-in using email
  4. View your dashboard, upcoming, and completed activities & achievements

Join BuckeyeNext today

Teen Opportunity: Participate in OSU’s Arts & Sciences Summer Exploration Program!

The Arts and Sciences Summer Exploration Program is a one-week non-residential academic enrichment program for middle (current 7-8 graders) and high school (current 9-11) students. In-person classes meet from 9am to 4pm each day and are taught by Ohio State faculty, staff and graduate students. Summer Exploration is offered in three, one-week sessions in June 2024. Applications are open through May 1 and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

For complete details on our 2024 program, please visit https://artsandsciences.osu.edu/arts-and-sciences-summer-exploration-program.

Teen Opportunity: Spark EXPO registration is fast approaching!

From June 12-15, teens at the Spark EXPO will learn about agriculture and related STEAM fields from industry experts, and faculty and staff of the Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

Spark EXPO is open to all Ohio students who have completed the eighth grade or ninth grade at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year. Participants do not need to be enrolled in the 4-H program.

As part of Spark EXPO, students visit Ohio State’s Columbus and Wooster campuses and learn from Ohio State students, teachers, scientists, and researchers. Students explore careers, hear from Ohio 4-H alumni who share their career stories, and learn about the college and career-readiness program: Ohio 4-H Pathways to the Future.

The deadline to register is April 17, and details are at go.osu.edu/4hsparkexpo.

The event includes on-campus accommodations, meals, program materials, and transportation. Supervision is provided by adult program staff.

Teen Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Leadership Development Retreat

OHIO 4-H LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT RETREAT (hosted by the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council)

When: April 12-13, 2024 (Friday early evening through Saturday afternoon – Dinner, Breakfast, and Lunch provided)

Where: 4-H Camp Palmer

Who: 4-H youth ages 13-18 interested in strengthening existing leadership skills

*Great opportunity for Camp Counselor training hours, JFB members, club officers, etc. – ~5 hours of counselor training available

Cost: $40 (covers overnight stay at camp plus 3 meals and a 4-H SWAG item)

*Sponsored by the Sauder 4-H Career Development Fund!

What: Teens will participate in interactive and engaging activities related to leadership skills, teambuilding strategies, conflict management, and other life, career, and college readiness skills.

 

Registration opens March 1 and is due April 1 at www.go.osu.edu/tlcleadershipretreat.

Camp Counselor Opportunity: Sea Camp at Kelleys Island

Ohio 4-H Sea Camp returns for 2024 and we are in need to fill 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 19, 2024

When: Applications are available now and due by April 15! Camp is July 19-23, 2024 with staff and counselors arriving on July 18 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.

Teen Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Forestry & Wildlife Camp

Attached you will find the flyer for the Ohio 4-H Forestry and Wildlife Conservation camp: PDF 2024 Forestry Wildlife Camp Flyer

Below you will find more information and with links regarding the camp registration and application for scholarships!

  • The Forestry Wildlife Camp is open to campers in grades 7-11.
  • Registration for camp is due March 28, 2024.
  • Campers can enjoy wildlife education, fishing, hiking, tree climbing, outdoor survival, ODNR careers & college opportunities, learning about forestry and more!
  • Scholarships are limited and apply by following this link, by March 1, https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ewVWQ5vl9bBvyS2

Apply for the Forestry and Wildlife Camp by putting this link in your browser today! http://go.osu.edu/24ForestryWLCamp

Please Note – Youth receiving Trip Award Letter notifications on February 21st from Leslie should contact Leslie for registration information and not complete the scholarship link above.

Dorrin and Ruth Ross Scholarships Available, Deadline to Apply is March 15 at 5pm!

This scholarship was established by Dorrin and Ruth Ross. Natives of Licking County, Ohio, Dorrin and Ruth married and moved to Columbus in 1935. Mr. Ross began his career as a carpenter, worked for the Curtiss-Wright Company during World War II, and spent the remainder of his career with the Ohio Parole Board, working his way from Parole officer to a supervisor.  The scholarship is indicative of Mrs. Ross’s interest in supporting educational opportunities for rural students, inspired by the loss of her family’s farm during the Depression, after her  graduation from college.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Graduates or graduating high school seniors of Bloom-Carroll High School or Fairfield Union High School.
  • Past or present members of Fairfield County 4-H or Fairfield County Agriculture’s Future Farmers of America (FFA);
  • Selection Criteria will be based on Financial Need – 60%,  Academic Potential – 10%, Character – 10%, Community Involvement – 10%, Leadership Potential-10%.

Application Requirements

Individual Online Application https://cfprograms.smapply.io/prog/rossschol

  • Application Information
  • Essay: Discuss your education/career plans and goals, why you have chosen your field, and why you think you will be a success.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation from teachers, counselors, or 4-H/FFA advisors
  • Most Recent Transcript (must include the first term of the academic year)
  • College Acceptance Letter: High School Students and First Time College Students ONLY

Award Process

  • The Foundation sends award letters to recipients that explain the payment request process and include the proof of enrollment form.
  • Once proof of enrollment has been received by the Foundation, a check will be sent to the recipient’s educational institution. All awards are paid directly to the educational institution. The scholarship may be used for tuition and books only. The scholarship must not displace any institutional or other aid.

For more details contact: The Columbus Foundation Scholarships Team,  scholarships@columbusfoundation.org

Alicia Szempruch, Senior Advisor for Scholarships, aszempruch@columbusfoundation.org