OSU Extension

4-H Buddies

Pairing Special Needs youth (the buddy) with an experienced 4-H Member (the mentor), giving both Buddies and Mentors lifetime experiences that neither would have without the other. 

Buddies create a three project wish list. This list can include most of the traditional projects such as cattle, cooking, goats, natural resources, sheep, and woodworking. 

Experienced Mentors complete a training to prepare them to assist a Buddy. These members will have taken the project they are assisting with at least one year prior to meeting their Buddy.

Buddies are paired with a Mentor of their choice, or through a matching system. The pair will meet a minimum of three times before completion of the project. Project books will be provided for each buddy.

How do you begin this process?

• Buddy Members must be 9-18 years old as of January 1 of the current year.
• Buddy Members do not need to join a 4-H club, but can if they would like. If a Buddy would like to participate without a Mentor, they MUST enroll in a 4-H club.
• Buddy Members need to complete and return to the Extension Office a Buddy Application and a Winning 4-H Plan Request Form. See chart below.
• Every Buddy is paird with an experienced Mentor who will help guide them through the completion of the project.
• Every Buddy can complete most 4-H projects, both livestock and non-livestock.
• Each Buddy and Mentor pair will meet a minimum of three times before completion of the project. Parents/Guardians may need to assist in the completion of the project.
• Project books will be provided for each Buddy.
• Mentor 4-H Members must be no younger than 13 years old as of January 1 of the current year.
• Mentor 4-H Members must complete and return to the Extension Office a Mentor Application. See chart below
• Each Mentor needs to complete a training class and have at least one year experience with the project they are assisting.

Timeline:

• April 8, 2019 - Mentor Applications due to the Extension Office
• April 13, 2019 - Mentor Training - 10am -12 noon at the Extension Office
• April 19, 2019 - Buddy Applications and Winning 4-H Plan due to the Extension Office
• July 12, 2019 - Tentative Still Project Judging Day for Buddies and Mentors
• August 31, 2019 - Tentative Livestock Project Judging Day for Buddies and Mentors

No matter the disability or challenge, the opportunities are endless!

Documents supporting the 4-H Buddy Program: