Teen Leadership

2026 Ohio 4-H Conference

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The 2026 Ohio 4-H Conference will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. The conference is a great opportunity to gather new ideas, get updates about 4-H, meet/connect with new people, and celebrate our volunteers and teens. The conference includes break out sessions for both teens and adult volunteers, as well as a luncheon and trade show. You can find a list of sessions, registration form, and vendor application form HERE. Cost to attend is $40 per person.

SPECIAL NOTE: Licking County 4-H is please to share that we will be presenting TWO sessions at conference this year. We’re thrilled to share some of the great things happening here in Licking County with other 4-H members, advisors, and professionals from around the state!

Please return the registration form along with payment to the Licking County Extension Office by February 19, 2026 so that we can get you registered before the deadline. Check should be made payable to: Licking County 4-H Committee.

4‑H Youth in Action Program

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The 4-H Youth in Action program amplifies the stories and leadership of 4-H youth who are making a difference in their communities every day. It is a premiere community of 4-H’ers who are preparing for their future while showcasing how 4-H changed their lives and equipped them to be Beyond Ready for whatever comes next.

Each year, program participants receive an exciting year of media training and national opportunities to share their 4-H story and leadership.

Four Award Winners will receive:

  • A $5,000 scholarship for higher education, to be paid directly to their institution, including two-year and four-year colleges, trade schools, or other advanced learning opportunities.
  • A year of personal professional and media development, training, and networking opportunities, and national opportunities to serve as a spokesperson and key thought leader in their program area.
  • All-expenses paid trips for each award winner & a chaperone to travel as the national youth spokesperson.
  •  An official reference letter from a National 4H Council leader for educational or career purposes.

All Youth in Action Program applicants will receive:

  • Media, interview, and storytelling training from National 4H professionals.
  • Admission into our national 4H story database, providing potential national multi-media and spokesperson opportunities.

Learn more about the program and how to apply HERE.

SAVE THE DATE: Ohio 4-H Conference

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Mark your calendar for the 2026 Ohio 4-H Conference, held March 21, 2025, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, where 4-H volunteers and teens (ages 13 and up) from across the state will come together for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. With a wide variety of educational sessions designed for all interests and experience levels, this event is a chance to grow, share ideas, and strengthen Ohio 4-H programs. Registration will open by the first week of January and must be completed through your county office—don’t miss this opportunity to help make the best better! Learn more at the Ohio 4-H Conference webpage.

 

 

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 Ohio Youth Institute

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Ohio 4-H is excited to share information about the 2026 Ohio Youth Institute (OYI)—a signature youth leadership and global learning opportunity offered in partnership with the World Food Prize Foundation and The Ohio State University. OYI helps young people explore real-world solutions to food insecurity while strengthening their research, communication, critical thinking, and civic engagement skills.

The 2026 Ohio Youth Institute will take place on:

April 13, 2026

The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

About the Opportunity

High school students (grades 9–12) who participate will:

  • Research a global challenge impacting food security
  • Develop and submit a 3–5-page Global Challenge Paper
  • Present their findings at OYI to peers and experts
  • Be recognized as a Borlaug Scholar

Paper submission and registration deadline: April 1, 2026. More information can be found at: http://worldfoodprize.org/ohio

REMINDER: 2025 4-H Achievement Night

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We are excited to recognize our members and advisors at the annual Licking County 4-H Achievement Night on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at C-TEC. Refreshments will be served starting at 6:00pm and the program will begin at 6:30pm. We are thrilled to recognize individuals who fall into the list below. While we look forward to recognizing these youth and volunteers, please know that everyone is welcome to attend this event, even if you are not getting recognized. Come cheer on your fellow 4-H members and club advisors. If you plan to attend please RSVP by visiting http://go.osu.edu/4HBanquet. Once there you will complete a very quick and simple survey that will help us gauge the number of people who will be attending. Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

Areas/Groups Being Recognized:

  • Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Livestock & Skillathon Winners
  • Ohio State Fair Still Project Awards: Clock Trophy, Honorable Mention, Outstanding of the Day
  • Dairy Judging Contest Award Winners
  • 4-H Band Leadership
  • Commodity Royalty Representatives
  • Licking County Teen Leadership: Camp Counselors, Hartford Fair Junior Fair Board, Food & Fashion Board, 4-H CARTEENS
  • Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership: Teen Leadership Council, Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant
  • 4-H Achievement Record Awards: Project Area Awards, State and National Trip Recipients, and Scholarship Recipients
  • “I Dare You” Award Recipients
  • Honor Clubs
  • Club Charter for New Clubs
  • Licking County 4-H Committee
  • Licking County 4-H Advisors
  • 4-H Volunteers: Quality Assurance Instructors, Hartford Fair Senior Fair Board, 4-H Camp Volunteers, Skill-a-thon Facilitators, Project Interview Judges
  • Friend of 4-H Announcement

2025 4-H Achievement Night

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We are excited to recognize our members and advisors at the annual Licking County 4-H Achievement Night on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at C-TEC. Refreshments will be served starting at 6:00pm and the program will begin at 6:30pm. We are thrilled to recognize individuals who fall into the list below. While we look forward to recognizing these youth and volunteers, please know that everyone is welcome to attend this event, even if you are not getting recognized. Come cheer on your fellow 4-H members and club advisors. If you plan to attend please RSVP by visiting http://go.osu.edu/4HBanquet. Once there you will complete a very quick and simple survey that will help us gauge the number of people who will be attending. Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

Areas/Groups Being Recognized:

  • Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Livestock & Skillathon Winners
  • Ohio State Fair Still Project Awards: Clock Trophy, Honorable Mention, Outstanding of the Day
  • Dairy Judging Contest Award Winners
  • 4-H Band Leadership
  • Commodity Royalty Representatives
  • Licking County Teen Leadership: Camp Counselors, Hartford Fair Junior Fair Board, Food & Fashion Board, 4-H CARTEENS
  • Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership: Teen Leadership Council, Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant
  • 4-H Achievement Record Awards: Project Area Awards, State and National Trip Recipients, and Scholarship Recipients
  • “I Dare You” Award Recipients
  • Honor Clubs
  • Club Charter for New Clubs
  • Licking County 4-H Committee
  • Licking County 4-H Advisors
  • 4-H Volunteers: Quality Assurance Instructors, Hartford Fair Senior Fair Board, 4-H Camp Volunteers, Skill-a-thon Facilitators, Project Interview Judges
  • Friend of 4-H Announcement

LAST CHANCE: 2026 Hartford Fair Junior Fair Board Application Due Soon

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Come be a part of the team! The application for the 2025 Hartford Fair Junior Fair Board is now available HERE. Completed applications must be turned in by November 15, 2025. Applicants must be age 14 as of 01/01/2026 to apply for the junior fair board. Interviews will take place on Saturday, December 6th at the Licking County Extension Office. Once you have submitted your application, please call our office at 740-670-5315 to schedule your interview.

LAST CHANCE: 2026 Camp Counselor Applications Due Soon!

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2026 Camp Counselor Applications are NOW AVAILABLE for Summer Camp and Cloverbud Day Camp! Applications and reference forms must be submitted by Saturday, November 15, 2025! Interviews will be held for new candidates on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

2026 Licking County 4-H Camp Counselor Application (this application is for both Summer Camp AND Cloverbud Day Camp Counselor applicants): https://go.osu.edu/2026CounselorApplication

  • Follow the link above to the application. You’ll complete your responses, read the Standards of Behavior and Camp Counselor Contract, and then both you and parent will electronically sign your application. The application can be completed easily on a computer or mobile device.

  • Application is due: November 15, 2025

  • NEW APPLICANTS: Once you have completed your application, please reach out to Lisa (mccutcheon.46@osu.edu) to schedule your interview.

2026 Camp Counselor Reference Form: https://go.osu.edu/2026CounselorReference

  • Please note, this link can be shared with your reference contacts. They will then follow the link to a survey, and complete their feedback about your skills and abilities, and submit online.

  • ALL APPLICANTS: Please remember that we must receive at least two reference forms on your behalf…

 

LAST CHANCE: 2026 Food and Fashion Board Application Due Soon

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The application for the 2026 Licking County 4-H Food and Fashion Board now available and is due by November 15, 2025. To be eligible to apply, members must at least 14 years old as of January 1, 2026. Members are NOT required to take a foods or clothing project in the current year that they are serving on the board, but should show an interested in 4-H foods and clothing projects and have taken those projects at some point during the 4-H career. Members will serve in a leadership role to support the food and clothing project areas. Members will plan and host workshops, help with judging, plan and run the style revue, and host other events to support our Licking County 4-H members. The application is due by Interviews will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 3:00-4:00pm and 7:00-8:00pm. Please reach out to Adrienne Anderson (anderson.1410@osu.edu) to schedule and interview time.

REMINDER: 2026 Hartford Fair Junior Fair Board Application Due Soon

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Come be a part of the team! The application for the 2025 Hartford Fair Junior Fair Board is now available HERE. Completed applications must be turned in by November 15, 2025. Applicants must be age 14 as of 01/01/2026 to apply for the junior fair board. Interviews will take place on Saturday, December 6th at the Licking County Extension Office. Once you have submitted your application, please call our office at 740-670-5315 to schedule your interview.