Member Requirements
Who Can Join Your 4-H Team?
4-H team selection begins with players, age 5 and in Kindergarten through age 18 as of January 1st.
Boys and girls, age 5 and in Kindergarten through age 18 as of January 1st of the current year may join your 4-H team. Youth may join anytime throughout the year. However, to be eligible to participate in Junior Fair at the local and state level, members must meet your county’s enrollment deadline. Contact your County Extension Educator to request 4-H club enrollment information.
How Do Cloverbuds & Project Members Differ?
The Ohio 4-H Program has specific eligibility and program requirements for 4-H Cloverbuds and 4-H Project Members. We consider both 4-H club members. You must plan club programs to meet both types of members, if you choose to include both in your club. The Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Program has set parameters for Cloverbud participation for complete details refer to the Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Advisor Manual available from the Extension Office.
| Program Criteria |
Cloverbuds | Project Members |
What is the age eligibility? (Age determined as of January 1st of the current year.) |
Age 5 AND in Kindergarten through 2nd grade |
Age 8 AND in 3rd grade through age 18 |
What is the learning focus? |
Activity Centered, Short 5 to 15 minute activities on varied topics. |
Project Centered, Time commitment dependent on project selected. Club activities challenge and support member project learning. |
Who directs the learning process? |
Leader Directed |
Member Self Study, Member and Leader Directed |
What is the basis for the learning experiences? |
Activity Manual Taught by Leaders |
Project Manual Used by Members, Supplemental Resource Handbooks & Teaching Aids |
What animal experiences are possible? |
Small animals in a group setting handled by a leader, No large animal experiences allowed |
Small and large animals as selected by the member and parent/guardian |
What are the evaluation criteria? |
Non-Competitive |
Competitive, Achievement, Participation |
What camping experiences are available? |
Day camp and one night overnight camping experiences with Cloverbud age members only. |
Day camp and multi-night camping experiences, county, regional and state opportunities. |
Can Members Join Across County and State Lines?
Youth may only be a 4-H member in one U.S. county during a given 4-H year. Youth may not be a member in two counties or two states simultaneously. We encourage youth to join a club in their local community. However, some youth due to personal circumstances may choose to apply for across county line membership.
Have the member complete the Across County Line 4-H Membership Form and submit to the 4-H Educator(s) in the county of request. 4-H Extension Educators from both counties will review and respond to the family in writing. Members only need to complete once, unless special circumstances warrant a future request.
4-H Educators will grant requests when:
- A positive educational experience will result.
- Competition or sale advantage is not the motive.
- An unresolved controversial issue is not pending.
