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Looking to reach 200 Valentine Bags/Cards!

Please have your bags and or cards dropped off to the Portage County OSU Extension Office by Wednesday, February 7th, 2024.

Our office is open Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 9am-4pm. (Additional times are available, just email Jesseca at housel.15@osu.edu to set up a drop off time outside of these hours)

https://deerfieldagservices.com/story-2024-fair-funding-starter-scholarship-664-240301

Deerfield Ag Services is accepting applications for the 2024 Fair Funding Starter Scholarship. Since 2022, the Fair Funding Starter Scholarship has supported more than 70 junior fair participants to offset some of the initial investments associated with their fair livestock projects.

“The lessons learned from raising livestock are priceless, and we understand that those lessons come at a cost,” said Bill Wallbrown, co-owner of Deerfield Ag Services. “We want local youth to continue to have access to those opportunities and look forward to supporting more exhibitors this year.”

Though the scholarships will not likely offset the full cost of getting started, the company hopes to help make it more attainable for junior fair participants to take part in exhibiting the livestock of their choice. The scholarship amounts vary by project, and are as follows:

• Rabbit & Poultry – $25

• Goat and Lamb – $75

• Horse – Up to $100

• Swine – Up to $250

• Beef – Up to $350

The scholarship is eligible to students in Portage, Stark, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties who are either  4-H and FFA participants. To sign up for the program, students must fill out a brief application at https://bit.ly/FairFunding24 by March 31, 2024.

*Scholarship Opportunity Available: limited number of $60 scholarships available from the Ohio 4-H Foundation. These scholarships will be based on need. A separate scholarship will need to be submitted to apply for these scholarships. Application available January 2024- Please watch website for updates: https://ohio4h.org/camp/forestry-and-wildlife-conservation-camp

Ohio 4-H Forestry & Wildlife Conservation Camp Info:

• Dates: April 19-21, 2024, arrival at camp will be Friday evening approx.. 7:00 PM and departure times will be Sunday approx.. 11:30 AM). These times could change based on programming opportunities.  
• Location: Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp located in Jackson County Ohio
• What: This camp is made possible through partnerships of Ohio State University Extension, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Hocking College. This camp has offered hundreds of young people the opportunity to learn about Forestry & Wildlife careers, Forest Ecology, Wildlife Conservation, and other Environmental Science topics through hands-on experiences in a variety of STEM based programs.
• Who: Teens currently in Grades 7-11 are welcome to attend.  
• What will you get to do? Participants will gain an understanding of forestry and wildlife educational components through a variety of hands-on activities and real-life field experiments. Participants will also explore a variety of potential career opportunities through learning from professional and college students in forestry and wildlife fields and programs. Participants will have the opportunity to try some traditional 4-H camping sessions including hiking, outdoor cooking, shooting sports, campfire and more. All while developing lasting friendships with peers.
• Cost: Cost per camper $115.
• Website: https://ohio4h.org/camp/forestry-and-wildlife-conservation-camp

This camp is sponsored by the Ohio 4-H Foundation

 Counselor Information:

• Must be 15 years of age by January 1, 2024, with one year of prior counseling experience. Preference is giving to past Forestry WL counselors, Counselors age 18 and those active in their county counselor programs.
• Submit application by March 1, 2024 (will be available at https://ohio4h.org/camp/forestry-and-wildlife-conservation-camp)
• Counselors age 18 or who will be 18 by camp must have successfully complete/pass background check.
• Virtual staff trainings will be required for counselors.
• County 4-H Educator recommendations will be solicited for each applicant.

2024 Ohio 4-H Achievement Record Application (Word) (PDF)

For what?

• An opportunity to be selected to receive one of the following trips of your choosing: (WORD) (PDF) Trips and Opportunities list sponsored by Portage County Randolph Fair Board
• An opportunity to be selected to receive a state Ohio 4-H Achievement award in your selected project area, and other state awards!

An achievement record workshop was hosted on December 12th, 2023 at the Portage County Extension Office. In case you missed it- here are the materials we shared that can support you in your completion of the Achievement Record:

• What is the Achievement Record?
• Achievement Record Workshop Presentation
• 4-H Career Record Book
• Sample Action Verbs
• Achievement Record Section Suggestions
• Photo Page Helpful Hints
• Ohio 4-H members can access BuckeyeNext at https://go.osu.edu/buckeyenextoptin. This is a new, interactive, online version for tracking 4-H achievements in real-time throughout their experiences.
• The state 4-H Office hosted a similar Achievement Record workshop and recorded it. If you would like to request a recording of this workshop, email Frances Foos at foos.61@osu.edu.
• Visit our website often to see updates and announcements: portage.osu.edu.
• Visit the state Ohio 4-H website for other teen opportunities: https://ohio4h.org/awardsandscholarships

Portage County Counselors: Camp in 2024 will be Saturday July 6th – Thursday July 11th at Camp Whitewood with Portage and Stark County 4-H!

Counselors – Apply online by January 5th 2024 here: go.osu.edu/campcounselorapplication Hard copies of application can be made available upon request to Jesseca at housel.15@osu.edu.

2024 CAMP COUNSELOR INTERVIEWS: Camp Counselor Interviews will be in-person at the Portage County OSU Extension Office or Portage Randolph Fair Office on Monday, January 15, 2024 (Martin Luther King Day). More information will be provided to those who apply.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The 4-H Camp Counselors are a group of 4-H teens selected to assist in being responsible for campers ages 8-14 during 4-H camp. As a result of participation, counselors will develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and aspirations needed for adult success, and the Portage County 4-H Program will be strengthened and expanded. Roles and Responsibilities of 4-H Camp Counselors include:

• Attend required trainings prior to camp
• Market and promote camp
• Serve in a leadership and teaching role to other counselors
• Serve on committees or other groups to plan programs at camp
• Conduct self in an appropriate manner before, during, and after camp while serving as a role model to campers and peers
• Assist staff and other counselors with camp activities; work as a team to implement the activities
• Know and understand all safety guidelines, including emergency procedures, associated with the camp and program areas
• Follow and enforce camp rules
• Assure for the safety of campers at all times including in cabins, sessions, and large group activities
• Be aware of child protection regulations and report any child abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect in accordance with university policy
• Identify and respond to camper behavior issues
• Ensure campers’ health and hygiene, e.g., brushing teeth, eating meals, taking medication, etc.
• Promote camper participation during camp
• Lead and supervise campers in activities at camp including but not limited to songs, teambuilding challenges, group activities, challenges, etc.
• Teach and lead campers at workshops or during other components at camp (table setting, song leading, etc.)
• Mentor and give guidance to campers to encourage positive youth development and enhancement of life skills

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least 16 years old by the start of camp.
• 15 year olds may apply to be a Counselor In Training (CIT)
• Must be a current active 4-H member in good standing.
• Must be able to get transportation to meetings and events as needed.
• Must complete a minimum of 20 hours of training (6 of these hours must be on-sight at Camp Whitewood).
• Must complete Child Abuse Awareness training.
• Must Sign Standards of Behaviors and complete the Code of Conduct form (both are online forms).
• First time applicants must provide contact information for two references, returning counselors must provide one.
• If the individual is 18+ years old at least two months prior to camp, the individual must have their background check conducted.

SELECTION PROCESS:

• Individuals who complete the application must also attend the interview process in order to be eligible.

MEETING DATES/TIME/FREQUENCY

• 4-H Camp Counselors must attend Counselor Zoom trainings, online course trainings, in person meetings, and one 4-H Camp Whitewood counselor weekend (dates of meetings and trainings will be provided later).
• Counselors are expected to notify the Extension Office if an absence is unavoidable.
• 4-H Camp Counselors will be trained on topics such as the camp counselor core competencies; risk management, including active shooter guidelines, emergency protocols, and child abuse recognition.

TO APPLY:

• Complete the application in its entirety.
• Provide two non-family references with contact information (returning counselors must provide one reference).
• Read and sign the Standards of Behavior and Camp Counselor Code of Conduct forms.
• Complete this online application, Standards of Behavior, and Code of Conduct by Friday, January 5, 2024.

Wow! Is it that time already? It seems like the summer just ended!

Changes in 2024:

• Cloverbuds are to enroll in project “710 Cloverbud Activities”. DO NOT enroll in ANY OTHER PROJECT. Projects listed under cloverbud profiles that differ from 710 Cloverbud Activites will be REMOVED after enrollment.
• New Projects in 2024: (210) Animals in Action, (356) Relationships 101, (186) Gymkhana, (187) Roping

• If you are a “Project Volunteer” you now have your own project! It is called “COP-Adult” project. IT IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST! You do not need to list each project you cover, please only select this new project.
• Volunteers who serve on a Committee ONLY, your club will be your committee, and you are considered a club volunteer: “Resource Volunteer”.

Other Reminders:

• Carcass projects for swine, lamb, goat, beef are listed as COP projects, and are found AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PROJECT LIST!
• Enrollments are DUE April 1st, 2024 at 11:59pm. If you do not submit a profile by this date, you are ineligible to participate in Portage County 4-H for the 2023-2024 season.
• Volunteers who receive letters in the mail indicating that you need a new background check, please enroll before you get screened, so we have a profile to link your BCI to. Background checks must be completed by February 15th, 2024.

To Access your EXISTING family profile OR to create a NEW family profile, click on this link: https://v2.4honline.com/

New Family/Profile STEP BY STEP GUIDE 

RETURNING Member: How to Re-Enroll Instructions

**If you have difficulty logging in, either due to a forgotten password or email, DO NOT CREATE A NEW FAMILY PROFILE** We can help you find the right information, just give us a call or send me an email! Please know that we are down staff members, so please be patient. We will get back to you as soon as we can!

Call: 330-296-6432, leave a message for Jesseca Housel

Email: housel.15@osu.edu

Cloverbud Leader: This role focuses on providing non-competitive experiences that meet the special needs and interests of youth 5

through 8 years old. Talk with your county Extension professional to find out more about the requirements to become a Cloverbud

Volunteer in your county. *Training required- you may mark cloverbud volunteer prior to receiving training.

Organizational Club Leader: The lead volunteer of the club serves as the primary contact between the club and the county Extension

office and gives leadership to managing and organizing club experiences.

Project Leader: This volunteer role is responsible for teaching knowledge and skills for project area(s). Share your skills, talents, and

special interests in a single project area. Examples include clothing, dogs, rabbits, horses, bicycling, computers, woodworking,

photography, etc.

Resource Volunteer: This volunteer coordinates club activities such as community service, fund raising, trips and tours, promotional

activities, recognition programs, family nights, and more. This also includes those who are ONLY Committee Volunteers.

First Shots Flyer 10-28-23

Learn and Experience the Shooting Sports, Adults and Children (with an adult)
Taught by: Certified Knowledgeable Instructors
Date: October 28, 2023 – Time: 8:00am to 5:00pm

Portage Summit Field and Stream Club
8504 State Rt 224, Deerfield, Ohio 44411

Sponsored by:
Portage Summit Field Stream Club
Knowledge: Safety – Terminology – History – Organizations
Experience: Small Bore – Rifle – Shotgun – Trap

Registration is REQUIRED, deadline October 23, 2023
Send your NAME, eMail, and Phone# to: WeaponryTech@gmail.com