4-H Events and activities

County Level

Volunteer Trainings:  Are provided on 4-H orientation, how to give presentations, how to complete 4-H project books, how to run a meeting using parliamentary procedures, county Fair guidelines, and various 4-H subject matter.

Community Service:   Members are encouraged to “give-back” to their community in some way.  It is beneficial if the service is project study related: for example, those studying nutrition might volunteer for a soup kitchen or bread bank; those in the marine science might volunteer for beach clean-ups. 

County Events:  An annual competition in the areas of public speaking, illustrated talks, demonstrations, and talent (share-the-fun).  Cloverbuds, ages five to seven, may participate, and will be awarded a participation ribbon, but will not be judged.  Winners age eight and up are eligible for District competition. 

Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition:  The 4-H member can enter all their 4-H exhibits into the 4-H department of the county fair.  The first Saturday, after opening, is designated as “4-H Day at the Fair”   4-H day activities include a Fashion Revue for those members enrolled in the clothing project study and who have entered their clothing as an exhibit.  The talent show is open to all 4-H members as individuals or group acts up to 10 participants.   Remember to submit all exhibits to the fair by deadline.  Fashion and talent participants must also preregister with the 4-H office by deadline. 

Recognition Night:  An evening event to honor all outstanding volunteers’ and members’ accomplishments from the previous 4-H year.   

County Council: 4-H members that meet monthly, elect officers and have a purpose of assisting with planning and implementation of 4-H county activities and events including the promotion of 4-H.  Open to members ages 11 to 18.  See County Council Constitution.

Day Camps:  Are conducted, during school recess, in various locations throughout the county.  Volunteers are always needed and appreciated to assist with teaching hands - on activities.      

 Teaching opportunities:  Are available for teens and adults to conduct short lessons in a school classroom, for field trip days at the Fair and at various county events.  

Subject studies or project record books:  4-H members are encouraged to study a subject of their interest and keep a record of the learning process.  Research based, hand-on curriculum is available of many subjects, like nutrition, marine science, clothing construction, raising animals or plants, electricity and woodworking to name a few.  

Parades:  4-H Clubs participate in various parades across the county.  Parades are loads of fun, help clubs make new friends, and promote the 4-H program. 

District Level

District Events:  All first place winners from county events, ages eight and up, are eligible for district events.  This competition includes Broward and Palm Beach Counties.  Senior winners, ages 14 and up are eligible for State competition, held at 4-H Congress in Gainesville in late July.

Area F Horse Show:  A 10 county competition held the first weekend in May for those enrolled in the Horse Project Study.

Junior Congress: Is a one day, fun, educational event planned and taught by the teen district council members in April annually. 

District Council: 4-H members for District XIII, comprised of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, open to members ages 11 to 18.  The District Council elects officers and assist with District Events, Junior Congress, and community service activities.  See District Council Constitution

District 13 Pre-Congress Party:  This fun event serves to prepare senior members for State Congress (see description below) and hold officer elections for the upcoming year.

State Level

Most state events are open to 4-H members ages 14 and up as of current 4-H year.  A Participation Form, signed by parent or legal guardian, is needed for all state events.  Adults who chaperone overnight state events must complete training and have Federal screening including fingerprints.

4-H Day at the Capitol:  A one day event, in April, in Tallahassee serving as an educational government tour and open to all 4-H participants.

State Legislature:   4-H Legislature is a 5 day laboratory in state government designed to give participants educational experiences such as: learning about the functions of state level government, becoming informed about the state system of government, writing and researching bills, serving as mock legislators, reporters or lobbyists, meeting in the committee rooms of the House of Representatives as well as the House Chambers, and touring the State Capitol, Supreme Court, Archives and/or other State Buildings.   All Interested teens ages 14 and up need to be involved in the county government study in preparation for this state event.

State Congress:  Open to 4-H participants, ages 14 and up.  This 5 day event is held on the University of Florida Campus during July.  Congress is divided into competitive and non-competitive sessions.  The winners from District Events participate in the state competition.  In addition, each county sends their two voting delegates to state meetings.  Interviews for scholarships and national trips are also held.  This event also has fun, educational tracks addressing the interests of Florida youth.

    National   

      

All national trips are open to seniors, ages 1 4-18, and won through a two step process. Participants first submit a portfolio summarizing all 4-H achievements to the state office by June 1.  If their portfolio is selected, participants will be interviewed during State Congress.

National 4-H Congress:  Held in Atlanta, Ga., in late November is a four day event which provides youth with a high quality program including recreation, social and cultural activities.

National 4-H Conference:  Held in Chevy Chase, M.D., in late March, is a delegation that contributes constructive ideas on how to improve and strengthen 4-H.

Citizen Washington Focus: Held in Chevy Chase, M.D. in late June is an educational, week long program in our nation’s capitol to foster an opportunity to experience government operations and issues.