Publications
4-H Activity Directory
4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Series
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Purpose of Activities • Type of Activities • Club Activities • County
Activities •
District Activities • State Activities • National
Activities
Purpose of Activities
4-H activities are another way of learning and are comparable to
extracurricular school activities. They help broaden the young person's
development of skills for living. These activities are optional, and each member
can choose the activities in which he or she will participate. Usually the
activity is of shorter duration than the 4-H project.
4-H activities can be planned at the club, county, state and
national levels. Some activities support members' projects; others help 4-H'ers
relate to the larger community; still others develop communication skills.
Other things that community clubs plan and carry out are group
activities that will support a club's particular interests and needs. These
activities include tours; outings such as roller skating or camping trips;
member, parent and leader recognition events; fund-raising activities; and
holiday parties, among others.
Types of Activities
Activities are scheduled each year on a club, county, state and
national basis to supplement the work in the local clubs. These activities
provide opportunities for 4-H members to have new experiences, meet new people
and enlarge their circle of friends. Some activities are also used to acquaint
the public with the 4-H program and to gain understanding and support for 4-H.
4-H activities are categorized as follows:
Club Activities
Each local 4-H club usually plans some special activities of its
own such as a tour or field trip, a party or picnic, or a special program or
activity for parents. Where there is a 4-H activity leader to coordinate
activities for the club, the leader will coordinate the activities for the
entire club. These may include a community service project or a special
educational program such as a film or speaker where all 4-H members are invited
to participate.
County Activities
The objectives of every county 4-H activity should be defined
clearly and understood by the members and their parents. A well-balanced program
of activities would include, as a minimum, the following:
A Planning Activity - The county 4-H officers and the
county leaders hold a joint meeting to make general plans for the county 4-H
activity program. Those plans might include selection of activities and the
dates they are to be conducted and appointment of a committee for each activity.
The detailed planning of the various activities should be done by its own
committee.
A Recreational Activity - A picnic, day camp or similar
activity that is, in part, informal and largely recreational is usually planned
for the entire 4-H enrollment in the county.
County camps are good recreational activities if facilities are
available. A site with protected sleeping quarters, sanitary water supply,
eating quarters, accessibility to general supplies and space for recreation and
games is necessary for a successful camp. There must also be a well-defined plan
of what is to be done. The program should be varied among play, work and rest.
Several good leaders willing to assist in the camp are necessary to its success.
A Competitive Activity - Several counties conduct a
number of competitive activities. Some hold all on one day and call it a "County
4-H O-Rama," while other counties hold separate activities. These activities are
designed to encourage members to participate and achieve honors. A "County 4-H
O-Rama" usually includes some of the same activities that are conducted at the
district and/or state 4-H O-Ramas such as fashion revue, tractor driving,
entomology, bicycle, judging contests, method demonstrations and talent numbers.
It is usually a day of participation and achievement with awards such as ribbons
or trophies given. Whether held on one day or scattered throughout the year,
competitive activities require good planning and organization. A large number of
adult 4-H leaders must be involved in conducting the activities, and a number of
other people in the county must serve as judges.
An Exhibit Activity - Exhibit activities such as county
fairs, 4-H fairs or livestock shows provide an opportunity for members to
display the results of their projects and to obtain recognition for outstanding
work. They also provide an opportunity to focus public attention on 4-H work.
Another type of an exhibit activity is the "show window," in
which exhibits, by clubs or individual members, are displayed in show windows of
stores, offices, banks, etc.
A Recognition Activity - The main objectives for this
activity are:
1. To provide recognition for outstanding work by members, for
cooperation by parents, for leadership by adults and for cooperation and
sponsorship by business concerns, organizations and individuals.
2. To provide an opportunity for the county leadership to become
familiar with 4-H goals, objectives and programs.
3. To create greater interest in 4-H work by focusing public
attention on the work being done.
4. To provide an activity which is an honor to attend and which
will be a goal for members to work toward. Members, leaders, sponsors and agents
should all have some part on the program.
District Activities
District 4-H O-Rama - Four district 4-H O-Ramas are held
each year. Over 30 competitive activities are scheduled for both junior and
senior 4-H members. The top seniors from each activity are eligible to compete
at the Arkansas 4-H O-Rama. Trophies and ribbons are awarded to the winners.
State Activities
Arkansas 4-H O-Rama - The State 4-H O-Rama is a three-day
activity usually held at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Approximately 40 competitive activities are conducted. Only senior members, 4-H
leaders, Extension agents and sponsors attend. The top senior winners from each
district 4-H O-Rama are eligible to compete in the Arkansas 4-H O-Rama. Various
recreational and educational programs are scheduled. State activity winners are
recognized at an awards program. The state 4-H officers are elected during the
State O-Rama.
Educational Tours - A variety of state 4-H educational
tours are scheduled each year. These tours are designed to provide older 4-H
members with additional information in specific project areas such as livestock,
ecology, and forestry and wildlife. About 30 to 40 4-H'ers are selected to
participate in each tour.
State 4-H Horse Show - This state 4-H activity is held in
various locations throughout the state each July. 4-H members who are interested
must participate in an area or district horse show prior to the state horse
show.
Arkansas State Fair and Livestock Show - Outstanding 4-H
members are encouraged to exhibit their livestock and poultry at the state show.
This activity provides 4-H members an opportunity to show the public and their
fellow 4-H members the kind of club work they are doing. It is also a means for
obtaining recognition for outstanding project work. On "4-H Day" at the state
fair a variety of educational and competitive activities are conducted. Cash
prizes are awarded to the winners.
Other State Activities - Several other activities are
conducted throughout the year on the state level. Some of these activities
include Teen Leader Conference, CAPS and the 4-H Adventure and Challenge Camp.
Each of these activities is fully explained in the "4-H Events" packet which is
updated annually and which can be obtained at the county Extension office.
National Activities
National 4-H Conference - The National 4-H Conference is
held each year in Washington, D.C., under the direction of the United States
Department of Agriculture. Five youth from each state attend. Delegates stay at
the National 4-H Center and participate in many conferences, seminars and city
tours. They spend a day on Capitol Hill.
National 4-H Congress - This is the largest 4-H activity
in the nation. It is held annually in a major U.S. city. State project winners
from Arkansas and the other states attend. This program includes tours of the
city, group discussions, a fashion revue and recognition banquets.
Originally prepared by Lott Rolfe, III, retired community
development specialist, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.
Updated by Ella M. Geisler, retired 4-H program specialist.
| Author: |
Mike Klumpp, 4-H and Youth Development Specialist |
MIKE KLUMPP, 4- H youth development specialist,
Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas, Little Rock.
4HCK1-PD-10-02RV
|
