Many doors open for youth who join the 4-H Program. Although Laura Rohlf, Program Coordinator, 4-H  Youth Development is available to assist youth and their parents in getting them enrolled, below are some basic steps to complete in order to join 4-H in Henry County...

1. Review the listing of the 4-H clubs available in Henry County. Youth may join any of the 27 4-H clubs in the county. Some clubs may focus on specific 4-H projects (for example shooting sports or horses) that members complete while others may be more generalized (meaning members may take any of the 200 4-H projects available). Some meet consistently by day/time of the week or month or fluctuate according to club member schedules. I encourage parents and their children discuss what the child's goals are in taking a project/s and contact the organizational advisor of the club/s that look of interest to the child. Some basic questions you may want to ask are:
*Where does the 4-H club meet? Is it close enough for you to transport your child/ren easily; can you carpool with other members?
*When does the club meet? Day, time, frequency are all important factors.
*What are the club advisor's expectations? 
*What is the primary focus of the club? Example: Shooting Sports, clothing, livestock
*Does the club have dues? 
*Is the club actively involved in the community it is a part of?

Once you have made had conversation/s with the organizational advisor, it is time to select the club...

2. Enroll your child/ren in 4-H. At the first and up to the 3rd meeting (if before March 15th) fill out the Henry Co. 4-H Enrollment form. Complete information on this form is essential for communication to happen between you and your child/ren's advisors, the Extension office (we send you newsletters and other information periodically throughout the year). Henry Co. 4-H enrollment deadline is March 15th annually.

At the same time you are filling out the enrollment form, your child/ren will need to select a 4-H project to complete. It is highly recommended that youth select only one project their first year in 4-H. It is important for the 4-H'er to take into consideration their personal interests, time available, resources available (both financial and people resources) and their own willingness to start and then complete a 4-H project. There are, again, over 200 projects from which to choose. Click here to reivew the Ohio 4-H Family Guide for detailed descriptions of the projects.

3. Once your child/ren have enrolled it is his/her responsibility to attend club meetings as they are scheduled. As well, I encourage you to attend meetings for at least the first year or two in order to have a clear understanding and knowledge of the club's various activities. Your support in your child's interests will be much appreciated by not only him/her but the 4-H club advisors as well.

From this final step forward then, your child and family will have many opportunities to engage in project related education by way of clinics and workshops. There are several camps offered at the county level in addition to state level, contests, fair (if they choose to exhibit their projects) and other opportunities to assist your child in his/her development.

Please call Laura Rohlf, Program Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development if you have any questions at 419-592-0806 or e-mail her at rohlf.2@cfaes.osu.edu