Who Are "Older Youth"?

Older Youth are not just Camp Counselors or Junior Fair Board members!

Older Youth are current 4-H members in grades 8-12. These youth are invited to take part or apply to county, state, and/or national opportunities only available to members in these age groups. Members currently in 8th grade are only eligible to apply for Food and Fashion Board and Counselor-In-Training (CIT) and must be 14 as of January 1, 2026 (for CIT consideration).

Meeting dates for 2026 will be announced on our Facebook page, this page, and in the 4-H Calendar. Teens interested in the many available options are not required to attend these meetings; however, we highly encourage attendance so staff have an opportunity to get to know you. By participating in these meetings, you’ll receive ways to enhance your leadership skills; new activities to share with your club; information of local and state events and opportunities; the opportunity to meet other teens; and have fun!

The Older Youth Application process for 2026 has closed. Applications will open in fall of 2026 for 2027 Older Youth participation.

JUNIOR LEADERS club

The Junior Leader (JL) Club is open to all 4-H teen members who are in 9th grade and above! No need to interview, you simply register! Members do not take projects throught the JL Club; it is a separate entity from the community clubs. Meetings/activities are held about once a month. The primary focus of JLs is to teach leadership skills (such as career development), provide community service opportunities, socialization, and FUN!

A few activities the JL's participated in 2025 included: Head Start Family Day, 4-H Fun Day activities, Camp Piedmont Clean Up Day, Ohio 4-H Conference, setting up an Easter egg hunt for Cloverbuds, Plowboy Prom, Leadership Retreat, Cloverbud Show and Tell, Cloverbud Graduation, and a fall cookout. New officers will be elected at the November meeting, and the new officer team will plan the meetings/outings for 2026.

  • No interviews, just a registration!
  • This is a club you join in addition to your current 4-H club.
  • You do not complete a project through this club; projects are taken in your regular 4-H club.
  • The vision and mission of Junior Leaders will be determined by you, the club members.
  • Meetings/activities will be held once a month.
  • Keep in mind this is a club that will teach leadership skills (such as career development), provide community service opportunities, socialization, and FUN!

Click here to join the Junior Leaders Club.

2026 Junior Leader Club Meeting & activity Dates

TBA

Teen Leadership Retreat 2026

Join us for a weekend of fun and learning at the 2026 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat. If you want to develop leadership skills, have fun with friends (old and new), and learn more about yourself - make plans to attend. This retreat is for ALL youth in 9th grade and above. The organizational meeting of the Tuscarawas County Junior leaders Club will be held at the end of the retreat. if you are unable to stay the night but would like to attend the meeting, you are welcome to join us!

Registration is online only at go.osu.edu/TeenLeadershipRetreat. Deadline to register is 4:00 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2026.

Health, behavior policy, and permission forms as well as payment will be accepted at the door. NOTE: You will not be permitted to stay if your forms are incomplete! Forms will be available to print during online registration or can be picked up at the office.

For more information or questions about the retreat, contact Chris Kendle or Michelle Moon.

Click here for the Leadership Retreat & JL Club flyer.

Ohio 4-H opportunities for teens

Ohio 4-H offers numerous opportunities for teen members to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and aspirations needed for success. Opportunities begin at the local level and expand to the county, state, national, and international levels through various awards, boards, and more!

Click here for the Ohio 4-H Opportunities for Teens brochure.

Click here for the interactive opportunities graphic.

Click here for the Ohio 4-H Just For Teens page.

More Opportunities and Programming

Click the links below for infomation on specific Older Youth opportunities and programming.