4-H is a place where youth feel empowered to see a world beyond themselves and build lifelong skills that will turn their dreams into reality.
For over a century, 4-H Ontario has built youth into leaders in their communities and positive contributors to the world. With roots in rural Ontario, 4-H Ontario is open to all youth across the province.
4-H brings together youth aged 6-21 and passionate, engaged volunteer leaders to learn about selected topics through fun, hands-on activities and mentorship. There are also provincial camps, conferences, competitions and national and international travel opportunities available.
In 4-H, youth find a place they can be involved, accepted, valued and heard while developing valuable life skills in leadership, business, self-confidence and more.
How can youth participate in 4-H?
Youth have access to dozens of activities, camps, conferences and competitions through local, provincial and national organizations. Once you complete the annual registration, you are eligible to participate in endless 4-H opportunities and access scholarships. Please note, there may be additional fees for opportunities such as camps or conferences.
Locally
Youth and volunteers come together to complete 4-H projects within their association. Each association offers different types of projects and youth can participate in as many as they like. Local associations also host fundraisers and events such as an awards night, providing youth with lots of opportunities to learn, have fun and make new friends.
Provincially
Youth can participate in camps, conferences and competitions with other 4-H’ers from across Ontario. Our provincial offerings provide youth with unique opportunities to try new things, build upon their skills and make new connections. There are also several scholarships available to 4-H participants to help them in reaching their dreams.
Nationally
4-H Canada offers several conferences, scholarships and awards to 4-H’ers across the country. They also provide youth with career resources including mentorship opportunities and exploration modules. Their programs provide youth the opportunity to travel, build new skills and make connections with 4-H’ers across Canada.
When you complete the annual participation form and pay the annual participation fee, you have access to participate in as many 4-H projects as you like.
On average, each 4-H association offers 13 projects and over 60% of associations offer 11 or more per year.
Many associations also offer virtual projects such as the “International Lunch Club” where youth from across the province complete projects virtually. 4-H’ers also have access to exclusive 4-H scholarships and competitions, along with provincial and national programming including camps, conferences, and exchanges. It is important to note that there are additional costs to participate in provincial or national programs such as camps, conferences and exchanges. There also may be additional costs to participate in some projects such as supplies, or field trips and these costs will be communicated to you ahead of time by your association.
Your participant fee supports a variety of elements including insurance, programming and communications, program delivery, volunteer support and administration. Some examples of support that falls under these pillars includes supporting a volunteer with resources to lead a project, safely and securing storing records for participant recognition (awards) or managing the website so new and engaged audiences can access information about 4-H. A breakdown of the 2026 participant fee ($120) can be seen in the graphic below.
It’s important to note that participant fees account for about 23% of 4-H Ontario’s revenue and therefore does not support the entirety of expenses undertaken to run the 4-H program in Ontario.
The 4-H pledge represents 4-H’s core values and is often recited prior to 4-H meetings or other events.
Learn To Do By Doing! It’s at the root of every 4-H opportunity found locally, provincially and nationally and has a lifelong impact on all those involved in 4-H.
In 4-H Ontario, youth become contributing citizens who impact positive change in our communities.
The Ontario 4-H Council governs the 4-H Ontario program, which provides youth with resources and opportunities to develop into responsible, contributing and caring leaders who create positive change in the world.
4-H Ontario values learning to do by doing which encompasses critical thinking, loyalty and caring as we commit to serving others and promoting healthy living.
4-H Ontario recognizes that we live, learn and work on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of many Indigenous Nations and communities that have, and continue to call Ontario home. Our main office in Guelph/Eramosa, ON is located on the ancestral land and territory of the Anishinabewaki, Haudenosaunee, Attiwonderonk, Mississauga and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is also covered by the Haldimand Treaty of 1784 and Treaty 3 of 1792.
We recognize and commit to the work that follows this acknowledgement to ensure reconciliation and a bright future for Indigenous peoples and youth. We encourage all residents and visitors of Ontario to learn about the land you walk on, and do your part in supporting and preserving Indigenous traditions, cultures, languages, Ways of Knowing (knowledge) and spirituality.
