About Our Club

Here is information about 4-h opportunities (see bottom of page) and about our club.

The following excellent description was written by our 2001 President, Eva, at age 15.

What is 4-H?

4-H is an organization that helps youth "learn by doing" as they participate in more than 200 projects and hundreds of other activities. These are designed to help them develop as individuals and become responsible, productive members of society. Last year, more than 286,000 Ohio youth were involved in 4-H. Ohio 4-H membership starts at age 5 or kindergarten (Cloverbud) and ends the year a youth reaches 18 years of age. Membership begins when an eligible individual enrolls in a club or group that is under direction of an adult and within the scope of Ohio State University extension.

What does SPLASH do?

Splash is a homeschool 4-H club. We are also an Honor Club, a goal that we all work hard for each year. Our activities include a fund-raiser, a community service project, social activities, and participating at the County and The Ohio State Fair.

A 4-H meeting consists of three parts: 1) the business meeting 2) the program and 3) recreation .
In the business session we learn how to make decisions as a group. The decisions made by the group guide the clubs activities throughout the year. Members learn how to use basic principles of parliamentary procedure. The business meeting gives members a chance to share ideas and to plan.
During the program we might have a film, field-trip, demonstrations by club members, or a time to work on club and individual 4-H projects. We also have guest speakers on a variety of subjects.
Recreation time is a game and snack. It's pretty much a social time for everyone.

Our club begins its new year in January and continues through the County Fair, the first week of August. We meet twice a month for the school year and once a month in June and July with an end-of-year celebration in the fall.

Club History

Splash started in 1997 with 12 members. That was our learning year, where most of the club membership held an office! Since then we have grown to over 50 members and we won the Southwest Ohio Recruitment Award in 2000 for club growth. We attribute our growth to involved parents and our emphasis on leadership and public speaking. We have several talented volunteers to lead project groups and at each meeting we encourage children to speak before the group. We achieve Honor Club status each year, thanks to our diligent memberts.

As a club of homeschoolers, we try to fill in any gaps that may exist in a family's school plan. First Aid, Sciences, Home Ec., Shop Class are all covered within 4-H curriculum. Several projects then can be applied to schoolwork and the group setting gives members opportunities to work with others besides siblings. :-) Our club ages range from Cloverbuds, age 5, to Seniors in High School, age 18.

We work hard, learn much, have fun and strive to "make the best better".

COUNTY ACTIVITIES

TEEN LEADERSHIP CLUB -Teen Leader Club has combined with the Junior Fairboard.

CAMP COUNSELOR -this job involves serving as camp counselor at the Greene County 4-H Camp. The selection is made by the Extension Office on basis of completion of a camp counselor application, interview, former camper experience, character, and mental maturity .Age limits are counselor, 16 and older and at least a sophomore in high school. Counselors in training (CIT) opportunities may be available for 15 year olds if freshmen in High School.

4-H SADDLE HORSE JUDGING TEAM -This activity is open to 4-H'ers that want to learn to judge. Members judge halter and performance classes and must be able to score the class and substantiate their selection in oral and written form. F our individuals make up the county team which represents Greene County at the Ohio State Fair competition. Winners at the state contest then compete nationally.

4-H HORSE BOWL TEAMS -This activity is open to all 4-H'ers. A member does not need to own an animal because it is a study and test of your knowledge of the horse sciences. Members 9-13 or in the third grade may join the Junior T earn, members 14 and older may join the Senior Team. A horse bowl contest is similar to the television knowledge quiz shows. Members are given a question related to horses; the first person to hit a buzzer is given the opportunity to give the answer. Points are given for correct answers and penalties given when you are wrong.

4-H CARTEEN -Open to all 4-H'ers who are at least 15-V2 years old. This group organizes and presents a program for teen drivers that have received a traffic ticket. This program is to help teen drivers become more cautious and responsible drivers.

JUNIOR FAIRBOARD MEMBERS -Older teens that are members of 4-H, FF A, or any boy or girl organization may apply to become members of the Greene County Junior Fairboard. The Junior Fairboard functions to assist the various department committees and the Greene County Agricultural Society (Fairboard) in the management and operation of the Greene County Fair.

4-HCAMPING

4-H'ers may attend camp held at 4-H Camp Clifton. 4-H'ers stay in cabins, complete with bunk beds, eat three meals daily in the dining hall, and participate in a variety of camping activities, including: swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, outdoor education, archery , recreation, and song and dance. Partial scholarships may be available. Eligibility for camp is 3rd graders through 14 years old.

4-H Cloverbud members may attend an overnight camp held at 4-H Camp Clifton. Campers will experience a variety of camping activities with adult supervision.