Youth Opportunities

Registration for Ohio 4-H Junior Shooting Sports Camp is open now!

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Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports has opened Junior Camp registration. Youth in grades 3-6 are invited to Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp from June 13 to 15 for education sessions on basic shooting and archery disciplines. Additional information about the camp can be found on the Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports website. Registration is open through May 16 and can be completed online. Camp counselors are also encouraged to apply and should do so before May 1.

Reg. link is https://go.osu.edu/jrcampreg25

Camp Registration Opens May 1st

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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. Camp is open to members in grade Kindergarten through 9th – based on the grade you are in right now. 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 3-5 – Alley Park
  • Cloverbud Day Camp (grades K-2, Cloverbud Members) – June 7 – Alley Park
  • Junior Camp (Grades 3,4,5) – June 29-July 2– Tar Hollow
  • Senior Camp (Grades 6,7,8,9) – July 6-9– Tar Hollow
    • Camp grades are based on the current grade in school

 Registration Details:

  • Registrations will be completed online and are on a first-come-first-serve basis starting on May 1, 2024 through May 15, 2024. Families will have the option to join a waitlist if all spots fill up for the camp they want to attend.
    • Youth may attend more than one camp if space if available at each camp the camper would like to participate.
  • Registration can be found here: go.osu.edu/FCCamp
    • This link will take you directly to the registration starting on May 1st
  • 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. Your registration will NOT be complete until payment is received.
    • 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.
  • NO REFUNDS once payment is processed. You are required to pay back the full price of camp 14 days after conclusion of camp if your child does not attend.
    • If a camper cannot attend camp due to a documented medical reason, he/she will forfeit his/her camp fee but will
      not owe the full price of camp.
    •  If a camper cannot attend camp for any other reason, you are required to pay back the full price of camp (the campership amount) 14 days after the conclusion of 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.
  • Have questions? Contact our office at 740-653-5419

 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 Wednesday, May 15th.

  • Members will only have to pay $50 for Day Camp, $100 for Senior 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.
  • “Thank You” notes are expected from each child who receives a campership. Please send to: OSU Extension,
    ATTN: Bertha Wilson Camp Scholarship | 831 College Avenue, Suite D | Lancaster, Ohio 43130-1081

Youth Opportunity: 4-H Creed Speaking Contest

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Speak out and get involved! Improve your public speaking skills and learn the 4-H Creed. The Fairfield County Creed Speaking Event will be Wednesday, July 16th starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Ag Center. Any 4-H member can participate.

Registration is due July 1st by calling the Extension Office at 740-653-5419. For questions, contact Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

Youth Opportunity: 4-H Demonstration Contest – Signup by July 1st

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Sign-up NOW through Monday, July 1st to participate in the Fairfield County 4-H Demonstration Contest by calling the Extension Office at 740-653-5419.

When: Wednesday, July 16th, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Who: Any 4-H member (project age)

What: A contest designed to demonstrate your ability to teach how to do something. There are Junior and Senior Divisions! For more information contact the Extension Office

Where: Ag Center, 831 College Avenue, Lancaster Why: To share your talents or skills with others and improve your teaching abilities.

Need tips on how to plan for a great demonstration? Click here!

Participants in the county demonstration contest have the opportunity to advance to the Ohio State Fair! For more information on guidelines and rules, review the Ohio State Fair Guidebook for Communication Days.

Attention STATE FAIR livestock exhibitors – PLEASE READ!

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Those who plan to exhibit at the 2025 Ohio State Fair will need to complete their Quality Assurance by June 1st, 2025 (this is a recommended deadline set by the Fairfield County Senior and Junior Fair Boards to meet ODA requirements). Members must also be enrolled at the county level by April 15th in the project(s) they intend to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair. Our office will be asked to verify both QA  completion and that members are enrolled in the correct projects (breeding projects, for example) on all Ohio State Fair junior livestock entries.

Ohio State Fair dates are July 23 – August 3, 2025. Entries will be due by 12:59 p.m. June 21st (online).

4-H and FFA members must make OSF entries online at https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/livestock/livestock-competitions

No late OSF entries will be accepted. Additionally, please review the link above to confirm rules and possession dates for the Ohio State Fair.

Learn Tips To Safeguard Your Poultry on a Multi-Species Farm: Defend the Flock Webinar on 4/17/2025

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Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is in all 50 states. With wild birds migrating this spring, your flock – and susceptible livestock – are at increased risk for HPAI.

Boost your biosecurity know-how now to protect all your animals. Download the Spring 2025 edition of our newsletter to get answers to questions like:

  • Why are poultry and susceptible livestock at increased risk this spring?
  • Why is biosecurity so important for your farm or backyard?
  • What can you do to protect your livestock?

Join fellow flu fighters on 4/17 at 2:30 p.m. EDT to hear APHIS Poultry HPAI Incident Lead Dr. Melissa Yates present “From Backyard to Barnyard: Biosecurity for Poultry on a Multi-Species Farm.” Register NOW at this link.

Download the PDF here >>>

Community Service Opportunity: Pickerington Lions Community Earth Day

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I am representing the Pickerington Earth Day Community Cleanup. Would any of your 4-Hers be interested in volunteering? This is a large event that draws a couple hundred volunteers to pick up litter and plant trees. In the past, we have had Boy Scouts and Girl Scout Troops but we would love to have 4-H clubs join us as well.

I have attached a flyer. We are a Pickerington Lions Club event and associated with Green Columbus.  We have a sign up for litter clean up and a sign up for tree planting in a nature preserve.

Thanks,

Rachel Scofield
(614) 561-2249

www.pickeringtonline.com

Youth Opportunity: 2025 Climate Change Literacy and Action Workshop for Central Ohio Youth

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Youth selected to attend the program will spend two days learning how scientists understand our Earth system, exploring climate change impacts, participating in tours, learning from scientists in a diverse range of disciplines, and participating in simulations. They will also spend time designing a project that educates others and/or takes action to make a community more climate resilient. Youth will receive feedback about their community action plans to make them think of ways to make their project a reality. Teams are welcome to apply to attend as a group.
Organizers are looking for youth who are interested in learning and having a positive impact on their community. Attendees are not expected to have a deep knowledge of climate change or its impacts beforehand, but are expected to commit to attending all three days and should have an interest in community action projects. Youth who live in Columbus might also be eligible to submit an application for funding from the Columbus Youth Climate Action Fund as part of the workshop.
For more information, click here.

Youth Opportunity: STEM Camp at Canter’s Cave

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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 29– July 1, 2025
  • Where: Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp, Jackson OH (1362 Caves Rd. Jackson, OH 45640)
  • Cost: Camp fee: $115.00
  • Who: Camp is open to children completing 5th, 6th, or 7th grades this spring.
  • Registration Deadline: June 15, 2025

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: Ohio Beef Youth Day

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Are you a youth involved in Ohio’s beef industry or wanting to get involved? LOOK HERE!
Ohio Beef Youth Council is hosting TWO beef youth days where we will cover essential topics that will elevate your knowledge and skills in the beef industry! These days will consist of hands-on sessions to enhance knowledge on topics including biosecurity, disease traceability and animal health, nutrition, genetics, carcass evaluation and cut ID, and much more.