Muskingum County 4-H Youth Development

Muskingum County 4-H

• Involves over 1600 county youth led by nearly 300 adult volunteers.
• We offer  200 different 4-H projects - from sewing to small engines, home decorating to woodworking, photography to creative writing, theatre arts to fishing, small animals to large livestock - see The 4-H Family Guide for a complete listing.
• With 80 4-H clubs and 35 Cloverbud Groups spread throughout the county, we can help you find one in your area!

Our 4-H School Enrichment program extends specialized programs into area elementary schools, reaching over 500 additional youth.  Check out our "4-H in the Classroom" page for more details!

Did You Know?

One out of every six people in Ohio has been or is currently involved with 4-H youth development programs either as a member, parent, volunteer, or donor. There are currently 45 million 4-H alumni nationwide!

General 4-H Information

4-H is a non-formal, educational, youth development program that is offered to kids age 5 (or in kindergarten) to 19, regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, or handicap. 

Nearly 300,000 Ohio youth are enrolled in 4-H youth development programs and activities annually. The 4-H program utilizes four primary delivery methods to educate youth. These methods include community clubs, school enrichment, special emphasis, and camping programs.

Three types of learning experiences are emphasized in 4-H youth development programs and activities: hands-on (making, producing, practicing, observing, etc.); organized activities (demonstrations, workshops, field trips, camps, etc.); and leadership/citizenship (conducting, planning, assisting, informing, organizing, etc.)

4-H programs have branched out into urban areas. Last year, more than 28 percent of all Ohio 4-Her's were living in towns and cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000. More than 16 percent were living in cities and suburbs with populations greater than 50,000.

Volunteers are an essential part of the overall 4-H program. Approximately 30,000 youth and adult volunteers participated in the Ohio 4-H program this year. 4-H volunteers have the opportunity to contribute their time, energies, talents, and knowledge to help develop 4-H youth in a positive, educational way.

The Ohio 4-H program is coordinated by County, District and State 4-H Youth Development professionals, who are staff members of Ohio State University Extension. 4-H Youth Development is represented by over 100 4-H Youth Development Agents working in each of the 88 Ohio counties.

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                                                          

4-H Motto: 

          To Make the Best Better.

4-H Pledge: 

           I pledge -   My Head to Clearer Thinking
                         My Heart to Greater Loyalty
                         My Hands to Larger Service
                         My Health to Better Living
                         For my Club, my Community, my Country, and my World.