2025 Camp Counselor Application Process
Franklin County 4-H Camp June 13-17, 2025
The 4-H Camp Counselors are a group of 4-H teens selected to assist in being responsible for campers ages 8-13, during 4-H camp. As a result of participation, counselors will develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and aspirations needed for adult success, and the Franklin County 4-H program will be strengthened and expanded. Roles and responsibilities of 4-H Camp Counselors include:
- Attend required training prior to camp
- Market and promote camp
- Serve in a leadership and teaching role to other counselors
- Serve on committees or other groups to plan programs at camp
- Conduct yourself in an appropriate manner before, during, and after camp while serving as a role model to campers and peers
- Assist staff and other counselors with camp activities; work as a team to implement the activities
- Know and understand all safety guidelines, including emergency procedures, associated with the camp and program areas
- Follow and enforce camp rules
- Assure the safety of campers at all times including in cabins, sessions, and large group activities
- Be aware of child protection regulations and report any child abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect in accordance with university policy Identify and respond to camper behavior issues
- Ensure campers’ health and hygiene, e.g., brushing teeth, eating meals, taking medication, etc.
- Promote camper participation during camp
- Lead and supervise campers in activities at camp including but not limited to songs, teambuilding challenges, group activities, challenges, etc.
- each and lead campers at workshops or during other components at camp (table setting, song leading, etc.)
- Mentor and give guidance to campers to encourage positive youth development and enhancement of life skills
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be a 4-H member in good standing & complete at least one project
- Must be at least 14 years old by the start of camp (June 13, 2025)
- Must be able to get transportation to meetings and events as needed
- Must complete a minimum of 24 hours of training.
- Must complete Child Abuse Awareness training
- Must sign Standards of Behaviors and complete the Code of Conduct form
- Member in Good Standing Forms will be sent to club advisors of all applicants.
- Applicants who were not counselors in 2024 must submit contact information for two references (contact the reference prior to listing them in your application).
- Applicants who are 18 years old or older as of April 13, 2025, must also submit to a background check
TRAINING DATES
Meeting |
Day |
Date |
Time | Location |
#1 | Mon. | Nov. 18 | 6:30-8:30pm | Extension Office |
Carving New Ideas | Fri-Sun | Nov 22-24 | 6:00pm – 10:00am | 4-H Camp Ohio |
#2 | Mon. | Dec. 9 | 6:30-8:30pm | Extension Office |
#3 | Thurs. | Jan. 9 | 6:30-8:30pm | Extension Office |
#4 & #5 | Fri. – Sat. | Jan. 24-25 | 5:30pm – 11:30am | Extension Office |
#6 | Mon. | Feb. 10 | 6:30-8:30pm | Extension Office |
Making eXtreme Counselors | Sat.-Sun. | Feb. 22-23 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm | Ohio 4-H Center |
Ohio 4-H Conference | Sat. | Mar. 8 | 9:00am-4:00pm | Columbus Convention Center |
#7 | Wed. | Mar. 12 | 6:30-8:30pm | Extension Office |
#8 | Mon. | Apr. 7 | 6:30-8:30pm | Extension Office |
Camp Counselor Workshop | Fri.-Sat. | Apr. 18-19 | TBD | 4-H Camp Ohio |
#9 | Tues. | 13-May | 6:30 – 8:30pm | Extension Office |
#10 | Wed. | Jun. 4 | 10:00am – 4:00pm | Extension Office |
CAMP | Fri - Tues. | Jun. 13-17 | 4-H Camp Ohio |
FEES
The camp fee for counselors will be determined with a sliding scale. Counselors with only the minimum number of training meetings will pay a larger camp fee. The more training meetings a counselor candidate attends, the more their fee is reduced.
Other trainings such as the Camp Counselor Workshop in April will also have some fees associated with them.
COLLEGE PLUS PROGRAM
On occasion, there are some 4-H members who move away to college which makes them unable to attend enough of the required camp training meetings. Those individuals may apply for a College Plus Counselor position. These positions will be based on "need" and will vary from year to year based on the current counselor staffing situation. If you are interested in the College Plus Program, do not fill out this application. Please email Beth Boomershine at boomershine.10@osu.edu to let her know your interest. In your email, you should explain your current college situation and let her know what meetings you think you might be able to attend. After the application deadline, you will be notified if there is a need for your assistance and you will receive more information about applying for a College Plus Position.
APPLICATION
Before you complete the application, CLICK HERE to view a list of questions that will be on the online application (You will not be able to "save" your application in the middle of completing it, so we recommend reviewing the sample list first to be better prepared.) Application due date October 15, 2024!
2025 Camp Counselor Application
MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING FORM
All applicants, new and returning, must have a Member in Good Standing Form completed each year. After the application is submitted, the applicant's club leader will receive a Member in Good Standing form to fill out regarding the applicant's participation in the club this year.
REQUIRED REFERENCE FORMS
Who must submit reference contact information?
Any applicant who was not a Franklin County 4-H Camp Counselor in the summer of 2024 must submit contact information (email address) for two non-family references. This includes new counselor applicants and also applicants who were counselors in previous years but not in 2024.
Reference Requirements
- Two references must be submitted in the application per applicant that was not a counselor in 2024.
- References should not be completed by relatives. They should be from 4-H advisors, teachers, guidance counselors, youth organizational coordinators, or other individuals who would be familiar with the applicant's character, leadership skills, and maturity.
INTERVIEWS
New applicants will be asked to attend an interview with the selection committee. Returning camp counselors will be contacted if an interview is requested.
SELECTIONS
Due to limited positions available, not all applicants will be selected. While we believe that being a camp counselor can be a great opportunity for learning and growing, we also have to take into account the safety and experience of the campers. Parents expect to send campers to a camp with trained, mature leaders as role models for their children. Therefore, it is imperative that we look at applicant maturity, experience, leadership qualities, and characteristics of outstanding role models when making selections.