As of July 9, 2020

Thank you for your patience during the COVID 19 pandemic. The past few months have been challenging for many of us. Thank you to all the 4-H youth who enthusiastically joined virtual 4-H projects and activities - you have helped to keep our 4-H program strong.

The province continues to open up in regions and the numbers for gatherings are increasing. Until a region is in Phase 3 of A Framework for Reopening our Province, in-person activities continue to be suspended. The health and safety of our 4-H families continues to be our priority.

This package contains:

• The link to the Assumption of Risk and Waiver: Coronavirus/COVID-19 which needs to be completed by all 4-H families and submitted to 4-H Ontario.

• The health of 4-H youth, families, volunteer leaders and staff remain our priority.
• All 4-H stakeholders must demonstrate consideration and caution amidst this changing situation.
• 4-H families are asked to self-screen before attending an in-person activity. If feeling ill or experiencing symptoms of COVID 19, flu or any other virus PLEASE stay home and communicate this decision with 4-H club leaders.
• Meetings and events must be planned with health and safety of all participants as priority.
• 4-H volunteers and event organizers will be required to implement and follow all local and provincial Public Health regulations.
• Resuming in-person programming is voluntary for all 4-H youth and volunteers. Respect must be given to youth/parents/guardians who wish to opt out of attending in-person events. Should youth or their parents/guardians opt not to attend in-person activities due to COVID 19, attendance will not be a factor in determining project completion.
• 4-H insurance will be in place for sanctioned 4-H activities; however, 4-H Ontario is not liable for any COVID-19 related illnesses.

Decisions regarding returning to in-person activities will be communicated by club volunteers to all 4-H families. It will be the responsibility of 4-H families to communicate with club leaders whether they wish to attend in-person meetings. If choosing to do so, families will be responsible for complying with the requirements identified by Public Health in their area. Please communicate with the club leaders through the platform identified by the club leaders (i.e. email, phone).

When returning to in-person programming, 4-H families will be asked to bring their own personal protective equipment including masks/face shields, hand sanitizer, paper towels, disinfectant wipes, along with prepackaged snacks and beverages. As per public health guidelines masks/face shields are required when physical distancing is not able to be maintained.

4-H families are also reminded that all 4-H participants (youth, volunteers, families) must abide by the 4-H in Canada Code of Conduct and adhere to the 4-H in Canada Inclusion Statement.

All 4-H families will be required to read and agree to the ‘Assumption of Risk and Waiver’ (available at this link) before 4-H youth and volunteers can attend a 4-H meeting or activity. Families with shared custody of a 4-H youth will require both parents’ acknowledgement, which means both parents will need to complete the Assumption of Risk and Waiver. The confirmation email(s) outlining proof of receipt by 4-H Ontario must be shown to the designated 4-H club leader and marked in the attendance records.

It is understood and acknowledged that not all clubs will be able to operate under these guidelines set out by 4-H Canada and Public Health units. 4-H Ontario is continuing to move forward with virtual learning opportunities, and these will continue to be made available to 4-H families.

4-H Ontario understands these are trying times and that returning to in-person activities requires extra planning in order to address the health and safety of all of 4-H participants. We ask for your cooperation as we continue to move through this challenging and unprecedented time.

You may find the Assumption of Risk and Waiver – Coronavirus/COVID-19 at this link.

• Youth will no longer be considered a member in good standing.
• Youth will not be eligible for Provincial opportunities in 2020. 
• Youth will not have access to 4-H virtual activities. 

• They joined 4-H Ontario and paid fees prior to April 30, 2020. 

• They have not participated in any 4-H Clubs. 

• Submissions for a refund of 4-H Ontario Participant Fees is now open and will be available until July 31, 2020.
• Refunds will be processed as quickly as possible.