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4-H Youth Development
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Welcome to Shelby County 4-H
Youth Development
Welcome to Shelby County 4-H
Youth Development
Carolyn Belczyk
Extension Educator
4-H and Youth Development
Raci Zimpfer
Extension Program Assistant
4-H Youth Development
Who Can Join 4-H?
Youth age 5 and in Kindergarten until age 8 and in 3rd grade participate in non-competitive activities exploring a variety of fun, hands on interest areas. These members are known as “Cloverbuds.”
Youth age 8 and in 3rd grade to age 18 as of January 1st of the current year select 4-H projects to explore through club and county activities. These 4-H members are eligible to enter the Shelby County Fair, attend 4-H camp, and do so much more!
Youth can join 4-H at any time of the year but must be enrolled by April 1 in order to participate in the annual Shelby County Fair.
Membership begins when a young person enrolls in a club or group that is under the direction of a trained adult and within the scope of Ohio State University Extension.
Find a Club Near You
There are 35 4-H clubs in Shelby County. Discover one near you! Contact the OSU Extension Office in Shelby County at 937-498-7239 for club contact information.
Club members make their own group decisions, participate in club activities and learning experiences, and get involved in community service projects.
Clubs are led by screened and trained adult volunteers. In Shelby County, more than 100 adults provide leadership to the local clubs.
No Fee to Join
There is no fee to join Shelby County 4-H. Some clubs may charge small membership “dues,” and members are expected to purchase their own project guides (about $5 each) and provide their own project animals, equipment, and supplies.
Discover the Fair!
Youth who join 4-H by April 1 are eligible to enter their projects in the Shelby County Fair, held every year in July at the Shelby County Fairgrounds. It’s a great learning experience and lots of fun. Participants in the fair receive recognition for their project accomplishments.
More about 4-H Youth Development
- Shelby County 4-H is a family affair. Everyone becomes involved in the learning, the business and the fun.
- Learning To Learn - learning through experience leading.
- Self And Others - working as a team.
- Relating To Others - accepting diversity.
- Communicating With Others - creative expression
- Planning And Organizing - setting short and long-term goals.
4-H'ers learn through experience in various ways
- Community involvement - volunteer time to help community needs.
- Life Skill Projects - develop self-esteem and lifetime interests.
- State & National 4-H Trips - educational and develops leadership skills.
- State 4-H workshops - develop skills to plan and lead groups.
- School Enrichment Programs -helps teachers develop the "whole child," not just teach subject matter.
- Cloverbuds allows 5 to 8 year old children to become involved with 4-H on a non-competitive basis.
Shelby County 4-H Program
- Involves more than 800 Shelby County youth led by more than 100 adult volunteers.
- We offer more than 200 different 4-H projects.
- Our 4-H clubs are spread throughout the county and we can help you find one in your area!
