Prince William 4-H Competitions

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Through Prince William 4-H, youth are provided opportunities to develop their unique talents and capabilities. In 4-H, we "Learning by Doing."  4-H provides opportunities for both training (learning) and practice (doing). Through competitions, 4’H’ers develop life skills that are relevant now and in the future. Youth who develop life skills become self-directed, productive, contributing citizens. 

A variety of 4-H competitions and events are available for youth to practice and perfect the life skills they learn through their 4-H Projects. 4-H competitions begin at Prince William 4-H (local), and may progress to Northeast District 4-H (district), to Virginia 4-H (state), and ultimately National 4-H (national).

LEARNING COMPETITIONS

4-H programming with youth is guided by an experiential learning process that includes goal setting, cognition, practice, and performance. The performance stage is when members demonstrate what they have learned through various 4-H activities and events, including competitions. Youth are scored against a published rubric. competition experiences enhance positive youth development and prepare youth with positive competitive knowledge, skills, attitudes, and aspirations that can lead to success through life.

Prince William 4-H Share the Fun and Contest Day

Share the Fun and Contest Day are our most popular competitions and encourage 4-H’ers to display their talents in expressive arts and develop presentation skills and confidence performing in front of an audience. Judges evaluate 4-H performers based on talent, audience response, creativity, showmanship, and use of costumes/props. The goal is to help participants develop their talents in a creative and constructive manner, develop research and writing skills, learn computer skills, and improve communication skills.

• Prince William 4-H Share the Fun is held each winter and is a performing arts talent show.
• Prince William 4-H Contest Day includes competition categories: presentations, extemporaneous speech, public speech, drama, dramatic reading, table setting, fashion review, science fair, radio and public address, and vocal-instrumental-combo performance. Contest Day is held late winter each year.

4-H Project Records & Portfolios

4-H Project Records form an excellent summary of a 4-H’ers career. Youth will use information in the 4-H records to complete 4-H resumés, Virginia 4-H All Star forms and in making application for jobs, scholarships and honors. 4-H Portfolios combine all 4-H experiences over the lifetime of the member. Both Project Records and portfolios are submitted annually to Prince William 4-H for scoring. Special interest clubs, such as horse and shooting education, require project records and portfolios prior to competing.

 

DOING COMPETITIONS

Team competitions provide opportunities for youth to develop the interpersonal, leadership and cooperative skills necessary to be successful in our interdependent and global society. Teams and individuals may progress from local to district, state, and national competitions.

• 4-H Food Challenge: 4-H teams learn kitchen and cooking safety, how to prepare nutritious meals and snacks, and key concepts of healthy living. Learning experiences focus on nutrition, food purchasing, food preparation, food safety, and related careers. Specialized challenges, such as the Virginia 4-H Beef Challenge and Virginia 4-H Port Challenge, are also available. Teams begin competing at the local level with high scores continuing on to district and state competitions.
• 4-H Shooting Education & Sports: This program uses shooting as a vehicle to teach youth life skills such as responsibility, self discipline, and teamwork. Firearm Safety and marksmanship are also taught using the disciplines of shotgun, skeet/trap, air pistol, air rifle, BB, small bore, muzzleloader, and archery. Participants have the opportunity to participate in local, state, and national competitions.
• 4-H Horse Competitions: Virginia’s 4-H horse program emphasizes project based learning about equine selection, nutrition, management, riding, recreation, fun, competition, horsemanship, and sportsmanship. Competitions focus on hippology (knowledge-based) and horsemanship (show and riding). Participants have the opportunity to participate in local, state, and regional competitions.
• 4-H Livestock an Animal Competitions: These animal science projects enable youth to develop their interests in beef cattle, sheep, meat goats, swine, poultry, rabbits, and other small animals. 4-H’ers learn about selection, care and feeding, animal health, and the importance of good record keeping. Knowledge and show camps and competitions are available throughout Virginia 4-H.

Prince William County Fair

Share your 4-H experiences and growth with the county! The PWC Fair is held every August and youth have opportunities to submit their work and demonstrate their knowledge in everything 4-H. Most youth competitions are free to enter and are great portfolio building experiences.

State Fair of Virginia

4-H’ers can share their knowledge and 4-H experiences at the state level, too! 4-H'ers may submit portfolios, project records, compete their county winning entries (homegoods), and more to earn ribbons at the State Fair.