Wayne County 4-H invites families to explore programs at March 2 open house

The new year is rapidly approaching, and Wayne County 4-H is ready to present another year of events. Interested families are invited to explore the abundance of opportunities the 4-H program has to offer at our annual open house Monday, March 2 at 7 p.m. at Fisher Auditorium on the Ohio State University Wooster campus.

The invitation is open to anyone who wants to “Come and Explore the World of 4-H.” The program’s youngest members are Cloverbuds age 5-8 while general 4-H membership is open to those age 8 and in third grade as of Jan. 1, 2026.

Still and Family Consumer Science projects (nonlivestock) offer a wide variety of topics for 4-H members to explore: sewing, cake decorating, photography, careers in agriculture, quilting and robotics, to name a few. New and returning 4-H members are encouraged to consider taking a Still/FCS project, even those with livestock projects. These projects are a great way for members to learn a new skill or further their skills in a topic they are already familiar with.

Lindsey Van Gundy, Ohio 4-H State Shooting Sports & Natural Resources coordinator, will join us this year to share information and answer questions about the 4-H Shooting Sports Program.

“The goal is to teach kids safety, good decision-making and responsibility while using shooting sports equipment,” Van Gundy said.

Shooting sports also include archery (long bows and compound bows) and can be taken as a project by 4-H youth members. Van Gundy will bring various shooting sports equipment (gun replicas only) to allow future 4-H members and their families to get a feel for the program and what it has to offer.

Families will be able to interact with Wayne County 4-H staff, current 4-H members, 4-H advisers and volunteers. Each family present will be given a packet of information to help them get started on their 4-H journey. Callie the Cow, owned by the Wayne County Dairy Committee, will be back again for attendees to try their hand at milking a cow. Fortunately, Callie is only a replica, so she is sure to remain calm and still while being milked.

Charles Haley, 4-H member, will be there with his Science Fun with Physics project, which won him an Outstanding of Day and Clock Trophy, recognizing him as a class winner, at the 2025 Ohio State Fair.

Some of the clubs accepting new members will have tables set up to show activities their club participates in. Junior fair board members will offer stations with activities to highlight specific areas 4-Hers can participate in. This event allows our JFB members to display their leadership skills and creativity while recruiting the next generations of 4-H members.

The robotics team from one of the local high schools will be at the event for robotics demonstrations with robots they have created. Art project members will have their creations on display to showcase their artistic abilities and encourage others interested in that area.

There truly is something for every 4-Her, and we hope you will join us.

The 2026 4-H calendar is available on our website at go.osu.edu/wayne_4-hcalendar. Let us help you find your spark. You never know where it could lead.

Hannah Getz is an Ohio State University Extension 4-H youth development educator and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or getz.107@osu.edu.