4-H offers many different clubs, teams and activities.
Below are just a few examples of what you'll find at Sumter County 4-H:
CLUBS
Cloverleaf 4-H (for 5th & 6th grade)- All Sumter County 5th & 6th graders are eligible to become Cloverleaf 4-H'ers. In fact, all 5th & 6th graders enrolled in the Sumter County School System participate in 4-H programming monthly during their science classes. For the 2010-2011 school year, 5th graders will be focussing on Agriscience, while 6th graders focus on Healthy Lifestyles and Food Science. All Sumter County 5th & 6th graders also have the opportunity to attend Project Achievement, an exciting speech competition held one day each spring. Cloverleaf Camp is also a fun way for Cloverleafs to spend one week away from home at a summer camp in one of Georgia's five 4-H Centers. Other clubs and activities are also available to Cloverleafs.
Junior 4-H (for 7th & 8th grade)- All Sumter County 7th & 8th graders are eligible to become a Sumter County Junior 4-H'er. Junior 4-H'ers meet monthly afterschool at the Sumter County Cooperative Extension Office. Junior 4-H'ers have the opportunity to attend summer camp, participate in Project Achievement, and join some of our many 4-H clubs or teams.
Senior 4-H (for 9th-12th grade)- All Sumter and Schley County 9th-12th graders are eligible to become a Sumter County Senior 4-H'er. Seniors meet monthly afterschool at the Sumter County Cooperative Extension Office. Seniors have the opportunity to attend summer camp, participate in Project Achievement, and join some of our many 4-H clubs or teams.
County Council (for 5th-12th grade). County Council provides youth with an opportunity to increase their involvement with 4-H. During the 2010-2011 school year, county council focussed on service and citizenship. They even took a trip to our state's Capitol in Atlanta!
Horse Club (for 5th-12th grade). Horse Club is open to all Sumter County youth ages 9 to 19, who have an interest in horses. You don't have to own a horse or have riding experience to take part in the fun! The horse club meets monthly to share their interest in horses, watch horse movies, participate in fun games, and learn about their favorite animal... the HORSE! Horse club members also have the opportunity to participate in the state horse show or local horse events (such as clinics or trail rides).
TEAMS
S.A.F.E. Archery Team (for 9th-12th grade). Our S.A.F.E. archery team is our newest addition to Sumter County 4-H's activities, thanks to support from The Friends of the NRA! This club is open to all Sumter County 9th-12th graders and coached by our certified instructor, Mrs. April Bowen. Team members have the opportunity to practice safe archery skills and even have the chance to compete at various competitions.
Poultry Judging Team (for 5th-12th grade). Learn about all things poultry: eggs, chickens, and poultry products! Practice your new skills to compete against poultry judgers across Southwest Georgia.
Wildlife Judging Team (for 7th-12th grade). Learn about various wildlife including: habitats, diet, and wildlife management practices. Put your skills to the test at a Wildlife Judging Competition.
Challenge Bowl Team (for 5th-12th grade). Enjoy trivia? Put those skills to work with our Challenge Bowl team, who competes each year during the fall!
Cotton Boll & Consumer Judging Team (for 5th-12th grade). This two part event will teach you how to become a wise consumer and a stronger appreciation for cotton. Participants learn how to shop, while also putting together a Public Service Announcement on cotton.
ACTIVITIES
Summer Camp (for 5th-12th grade). 4-H summer camp is a great opportunity for youth to explore Georgia, meet new friends, and engage in new activities. Camps are divided by age groups, rotating each year between Georgia's five 4-H Centers. A Marine Resources Camp is also available for 6th-8th graders interested in marine biology. To learn more about 4-H summer camps, please visit http://www.georgia4h.org/camp/.
Project Achievement (for 5th-12th grade). Project Achievement is an exciting competition that allows 5th-12th graders to compete against youth across Southwest Georgia in one of over 60 topic areas. Cloverleafs (5th & 6th) prepare a speech or demonstration to present at a one day competition during the spring. Junior and Senior 4-H'ers (7th-12th) prepare a speech or demonstration AND a portfolio, which showcases their achievements and activities throughout the year. Juniors and Seniors deliver their presentation at a fun filled weekend at Rock Eagle. To learn more about Project Achievement, check out this article: http://www.georgia4h.org/main/headline/fullstory.cfm?ID=329&imagefile=SW%20StCongress%20Delegates%202011%2Ejpg .
Get Movin' Mondays (for all ages!). During the spring and fall, Sumter County 4-H invites 4-H families to Get Movin' on Mondays. We provide a fun activity each Monday afternoon that encourages familes to come together and get moving! Activities range from dance classes to relay races to skating to an exciting scavenger hunt!
Competitions and Booths at the Fair (for 5th-12th grade). Compete at one of the many local fairs (including the Georgia National Fair). Competitions are available in the following categories: cooking contests, scarecrow design, photography, mini-booths, decorated agricultural product, and many more. You can even win money!
Operation Desert Support (for all ages!). Started by Senior 4-H'er, Morgan Bowen, Operation Desert Support has sent over 800 Christmas stockings to deployed U.S. troops in the past three years! You can contribute to this project by coming into the Extension office to decorate and sew stockings during one of our many ODS workdays.
Special Events (for 5th-12th grade). We offer several special events throughout the year, from skating parties to service projects to trips to Zoo Atlanta. Email klgandy@uga.edu to sign up for our newsletter, so you can keep track of all of our special events!
