Florida 4-H Program Handbook
SECTION 8: Types of 4-H Events
Competitive Opportunities
The following list describes those most often designed and implemented in a competitive system.
Demonstration or Illustrated Talk - A "show and tell" presentation using posters and other visual aids.
Public Speech - A presentation without the use of any visual aids.
Exhibitions - Exhibits can be by individual project work (ex. photos, woodworking, clothing, food products, poster art, etc) or group exhibits (club/county council fair booths) showcasing achievements and accomplishments resulting from 4-H participation.
Animal shows, fashion revues or talent contests are variations of exhibitions that may incorporate a standard for the product but also incorporate the youth involvement in showing, modeling or performing.
Record Reports or Project Portfolios - Completion of 4-H projects is often exhibited in the form of an annual project record book or a portfolio representing a 4-H'ers cumulative history of 4-H work.
Essay Writing - This is another type of demonstration of performance of knowledge and experiences gained through 4-H that is offered in some project areas.
Quiz Bowls - A team activity where 4-Hers test their knowledge in a subject matter area against another team of 4-Hers.
Judging Events - An activity in which a team of 4-H members test their knowledge about a particular project area against other 4-H teams. Current areas of competition include: Horse, Livestock, Poultry, Land, Dairy, Meats, Forestry, Consumer Choices, Marine, Wildlife, Horticulture, and Agriculture.
Skill-a-thons - Individual or team event that tests youth knowledge and skills within a subject matter area. Hands-on demonstration of knowledge/skills is the goal of skill-a-thons.
Noncompetitive Events
Summer Residential Camp - An educational, fun camping experience at one of the state 4-H camps. NOTE: Going to camp may be considered an activity for youth previously enrolled or it may also be a method of reaching and enrolling youth as identified previously in Types of Membership.
Day Camps - A series of non-residential camps, usually conducted at the county level. They may be subject-matter specific or general camp experiences introducing youth to a variety of 4-H topics.
Specialty Camps/Institutes - Refers to a subject specific camp or educational event (horse, marine, bug, etc.) that usually requires previous experience in the subject matter prior to participation.
Community Service - Refers to an individual or group activity providing services to others/community development project of one's own free will. All youth in 4-H are encouraged to engage in service learning projects.
Exchange Trips - Reciprocal visits of youth at the club, county, state or international level.
County, District, State 4-H Councils - Group leadership skills are practiced by 4-H youth through a county, district and state council system. A council is an elected representative group of 4-H members who meet, discuss, plan and assist in carrying out 4-h programs and activities of interest to the membership. For more information on the Florida 4-H Council check out the resources on the 4-H homepage or review the 4-H Council Handbook (publication 4HGCL44).
There are a variety of events that may be competitive or noncompetitive.
