Extension ServiceStatewide Events & Opportunities
Whether you're looking to develop leadership skills, dive into friendly competition, or engage in hands-on learning, our statewide events are designed to inspire, challenge, and connect you with the 4-H community. Each event is a chance to grow, make new friends, and discover your potential. Ready to embark on an unforgettable 4-H adventure? Explore our upcoming events and start your journey today!
Why send your teen to 4-H events?
4-H equips kids and teens with the skills they need to become leaders in their community, country, and world through civic engagement, public speaking, and interactions with legislators, teachers, experts, and leaders of all kinds.
4-H'ers often go on to become leaders like President Jimmy Carter, Vice Presidents Walter Mondale and Al Gore, and First Ladies Rosalyn Carter and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Over 25 US state Governors, over 30 Senators, and dozens of members of the US House of Representatives are 4-H alumni.
Explore opportunities designed to build leadership skills and empower youth to make a difference in their communities. Our flagship event each year is Oregon 4-H Summer Conference, where teens come together on OSU's Corvallis campus to create and attend their own workshops, make lifelong friends, and get a glimpse of college life.
Our flagship civic engagement event takes place every other spring during the Oregon Legislature's long session. With a particular focus on engaging underrepresented youth in leadership opportunities, we invite teens from all over the state to engage in civic leadership and policy-making while collaborating with state leaders, administrators, and local representatives to make real change.
Leadership Events
Annual Leadership Events
Contests and Competitions
Spring Classic: Test your animal science knowledge and abilities in contests ranging from horse judging to dog obedience. Many of these events can qualify you for national competitions
State Fair Competitions: Bring your best projects to the State Fair and compete in everything from livestock shows to photography contests.
Shooting Sports: Improve your marksmanship and compete in archery, rifle, and shotgun events in a safe and supportive environment.
Keep an eye out for information on our annual shooting sports mail-in tournament and State Competition in June, as well as the Beekeeping Essay contest that can win you prize money for school!
Learning Opportunities & Youth Certifications
Gain new skills, explore your interests, and earn certifications through hands-on workshops and training sessions.
- 4-H Youth Babysitter Certification: Learn the essentials of childcare, safety, and responsibility in this interactive certification course.
- Youth Tractor Safety Certification: Get certified in tractor operation and safety, a must for anyone planning to work on a farm or ranch. Required by the Oregon Dept of Agriculture for all minor farm workers.
- Outdoor Leadership Training: Build outdoor survival skills, teamwork, and leadership through immersive experiences in Oregon's natural landscapes.
- Youth Translator Certification: We partner with ___, a nonprofit in Salem, Oregon, to
National 4-H Events
Expand your horizons and represent Oregon on a national stage! These events offer unparalleled opportunities to connect with 4-H members from across the country, engage in high-level leadership activities, and contribute to national discussions.
- National 4-H Conference: A premier event where youth leaders collaborate on national youth policy and develop action plans to address pressing issues.
- National 4-H Congress: Celebrate your achievements, learn from world-class speakers, and participate in educational workshops at this gathering of outstanding 4-H members from across the nation.
- Ignite Conference: This event in Washington DC is designed to help you find your spark, make lifelong connections, and learn to advocate for big solutions to big problems facing the US today. You'll ignite something awesome!