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Feeling like you need something to do? 4-H might just be the thing for you!

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Feeling like you need something to do? 4-H might just be the thing for you! In the next few months, 4-H members all over the county gear up for this year’s activities and projects. Below is a just a glimpse of some of the things 4-H'ers will be doing. Soon members will be ordering their poultry chain chicks. 4-H’ers will pay a small fee for 15 day old chicks which they will be raising over the next five months. In September, the kids will provide four of their grown chickens for show at the Garland County Fair. As they raise the chicks, youth will learn to be responsible for feeding and caring for their flock. They will learn to keep records concerning the work they do as they prepare the chickens for the fair in the fall. Upon registering for chicks, participants will get a pamphlet giving them instructions concerning the care of the babies. The 4-H’ers who show livestock at the fair will begin to shop around and purchase their animals. Some families may have raised animals from their own herds. As soon as their projects are secured, all will start the process to get their prized possessions ready for showing. With those projects, participants will learn to keep their animals fed, watered, and healthy. They will learn the responsibility of caring for their project seven days a week and will gain knowledge and skills in record keeping. These animals must also be handled, exercised, and trained so they will be somewhat mannerly in the show ring.

Garland County 4-H’ers also get ready for two county competitive O-Rama events. The Big "T" events include vocal talent, instrumental talent, and dance talent. Also included in the events of the competition are talks of all types. Talks about animals, safety, the environment, veterinary science, photography, technology, entomology, and many others will be prepared and delivered as part of the O-Rama activities. Fashion Revue is another event of the evening. Later into the spring, the Big "B" events will take place. Competitions include BB Gun Safety and Marksmanship, Bicycle Obstacle Course and Parts ID, Bait Casting and Fish ID, and Poultry BBQ. These friendly competitive events are great fun for everyone. All O-Rama events are divided into three age groups: age 5-8, age 9-13, and age 14-18.

After the county competitions are completed, district and state competitions are held in the summer months. 4-H kids compete in activities similar to those in the county, and they get the opportunity to compete in activities that are not offered at the county level. Competing at State O-Rama means a trip to the Fayetteville campus. Not only do the members participate in the different competitions, they get a taste of "campus life" and learn a lot about the college. There are fun activities to attend and a great time of bonding with those in their county. They also get to meet kids from across the state and learn about what other county 4-H programs are doing.

Other popular activities happening in Garland County for 4-H members are the photography contest and the poster art contest. In April, the Awards Banquet is a fun time of dressing up, eating, and receiving trophies, plaques, certificates, and jackets for all the hard work of the previous year.
          As the weather warms, those with horses begin competition in the County Horse Show and County Roping Contests. Even if members don't own a horse, it is a fun event for everyone to watch! Horse competitors also have the opportunity to show at the District and State level during the summer months.
        Shooting sports members are involved in two major competitions during June and July. Lots of practicing and lots of safety lessons make this event safe as well as fun.
      In early August, 4-H members have a three-day county camp in Ferndale. Swimming, canoeing, archery, rocketry, astronomy, and hiking were among the many cool things they did last year. 4-H’ers take two nights at the end of August making yummy pumpkin rolls for the fair. Most of September and October are spent at various levels of fair events--county, district, and state.
         In addition to all of those county-wide activities, 4-H members attend monthly community club meetings. Teens also attend monthly Teen Leader Meetings and many are members of the newest county program--Garland County Veterinary Science.
        Garland County 4-H provides programs for everyone! There are over 80 different project areas from which to choose. Call the Garland County Extension Office for details about how your child can be part of an awesome group of kids!!

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.

4-H Information

There are several 4-H clubs for our Garland county youth who are 5 to 19 years old. For more information on all the fun 4-H activities that are available for our youth, call Linda Bates at the Extension Office on 623-6841 or 922-4703 or email her at lbates@uada.edu.

Master Gardener Information

Master Gardener meetings are held on the 3^rd Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge. They’re open to the public and guests are welcome. For more information call the Extension Office at 623-6841 or 922-4703 or email Allen Bates at abates@uada.edu.

EHC Information

Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC contact Jessica Vincent on 623-684 or 922-4703 or email her at jvincent@uada.edu.

By Linda Bates
County Extension Agent - 4-H
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Linda Bates
County Extension Agent - 4-H
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
236 Woodbine Hot Springs AR 71901
(501) 623-6841
lbates@uada.edu

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The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.