Membership Eligibility

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

  • Youth are eligible to participate in 4-H from ages 5 to 19.
  • Age 5 and enrolled in kindergarten to age 8 - Cloverbuds
  • Age 8 and in 3rd grade - 4-H projects and competitive events
  • Age 9 and above (regardless of grade level) - 4-H projects and competitive events
  • 4-H eligibility ends December 31 the year he or she turns 19

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.

Winning 4-H Plan

Accomodations can be made for youth with disabilities through the Winning 4-H Plan.

Winning 4-H

Cloverbuds

Cloverbuds are the youngest 4-H participants. Cloverbuds explore areas of healthy lifestyle, earth/environment, citizenship, plants and animals, consumerism and family science, science and technology, personal development, and community expressive arts. The goal is to promote children's healthy development - mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally. The program allows for and encourages creativity and play.

Enrolling in 4-H

Choose from the list of clubs.

Summit County 4-H Clubs

Factors to consider:

  • age of members
  • if the club accepts Cloverbud members
  • the projects they focus on
  • meeting location
  • meeting time

 

Contact the advisor for the clubs that interest you to determine the best fit for your child and your family.

Questions to ask club advisors:

  • What are the ages of youth involved in your club?
  • What types of projects and activities does your club offer?
  • How often does your club meet?
  • Where does your club meet?
  • What are the membership requirements (i.e., attendance guidelines, dues payment, etc.) of your club.
  • Any questions specific to your child and his/her interests.

Volunteer With 4-H

Our 4-H Volunteers are at the heart of what we do every day in 4-H. As a Volunteer, you can make a positive difference in the lives of youth in your community. To become a new Volunteer with Summit County 4-H you must: 

  1. Submit a Volunteer Application Form
  2. Complete a Background Check**
    •  ** If you currently work with kids and have had a Background Check completed in the past 12 months, you can request a copy to be sent from the BCI to OSU for $8 using this form.
  3. Complete Enrollment in the 4HOnline system
  4. Interview with 4-H Professional – Once your application and references have been submitted, OSU Extension will contact you to set up an interview using the contact information you provided. 

Use the links above to find the necessary forms and instructions. If you have questions about volunteering please reach out to the Extension Office at: 330-928-4769

Project Guide

The 4-H Project Guide (previously Family Guide) provides an overview of Ohio 4-H, the projects offered, and other learning opportunities provided by 4-H.

 

4-H Project Guide

Visit 4-H Online to Enroll

Ohio 4-H Online

Instructional videos are available to help with the enrollment process:

This video shows how to enroll in 4-H for the first time:

 

 

 

4-H members must enroll in 4-H Online every year. This video shows how to re-enroll:

 

 

If you have questions at any point in this process, contact Summit County 4-H Educator, Imani Scruggs (scruggs.34@osu.edu) or Rachel Chapman (chapman894@osu.edu) 4-H/ANR Educator.