Interested in Joining 4-H?

Thank you for your interest in Ohio 4-H Youth Development. Please call the Ohio State University Extension Office at 937-393-1918 or email Danielle Combs at combs.311@osu.edu or Kathy Bruynis at bruynis.5@osu.edu.  

We have a Want to Join 4-H, Find A Club Flier that can be found here on our website along with Highland Happenings (Our county 4-H Newsletter).  Reach out to the contact person (advisor) for the club to receive more information, we hope you find that club that is best for you.

Members can join 4-H anytime, but must join by the county’s enrollment deadline to be eligible for the full range of 4-H opportunities, including participation in county and state fairs. Highland County DEADLINE is APRIL 1.

Ohio 4-H membership is based on a child’s age AND grade as of January 1 of the current calendar year.

Eligibility for Cloverbud participation begins when a child is age 5 and enrolled in kindergarten. Eligibility for participation in 4-H projects and competitive events begins when a child is age 8 and in third grade. Any youth age 9 or above is eligible for project membership, regardless of grade level. Membership requires enrollment in an authorized Ohio 4-H club or group under the direction of an OSU Extension professional or an approved adult volunteer. A youth’s 4-H eligibility ends December 31 the year he or she turns 19.

Joining Ohio 4 H is a privilege and responsibility for individuals and is subject to the Ohio 4-H Code of Conduct and applicable policies of The Ohio State University.

Accommodations can be made for youth with disabilities through our Winning 4-H Plan. Visit ohio4h.org/about/join-4-h to make an accommodation request.

Preparing Youth for Success

In Ohio 4-H, we empower youth with the skills they need to lead for a lifetime! 4-H inspires curiosity, builds lifelong skills, fuels adventure, and grows leaders through fun, hands-on activities, that include clubs, projects, service, and camps. Kids can be a 4-H project member when they are 8 and in the third grade, and they can participate in competitive events like projects and judging at county fairs. 4-H project members select from 200+ projects based on their interest—what we call sparks in 4-H. 

Younger children age 5 and in kindergarten are Cloverbuds who enjoy group-centered, non-competitive activities until they are eligible to be a project member. All 4-H members engage in hands-on learning in clubs, camps, and other settings with approved adult volunteers. 4-H volunteers are critical to the success of the 4-H program and undergo a thorough selection process. 

If you are interested in enrolling your child in the 4-H program and/or would like to talk more about becoming a 4-H volunteer, contact us today! 

You also can learn more about all OSU Extension 4-H youth development programs at ohio4h.org

Special Needs Accommodations

Accommodations can be made for youth with disabilities through our Winning 4-H Plan. Visit ohio4h.org/about/join-4-h#winning-plan for more information and to download the request form.


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