The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - April 22, 2008
PRINCETON 4-H CLUB - NOT JUST FOR GIRLS!
Princeton 4-H Club is a vital community group aimed at area youth (both boys and girls) where they can explore interests (not all agricultural in nature) and share those interests with others through a variety of methods including demonstrations and presentations.
The demonstrations and presentations require knowledge of a few simple steps and the ability to organize and present thoughts in an understandable fashion.
That's the public speaking element, which is taught and nurtured in ways which are fun, entertaining and engaging.
The 4-H Club held their regular meeting on April 16th at Riverside Centre and focused primarily on a review of the details required to make a presentation.
There are a total of eight steps to making a 'demonstration' that is judged and marked by 4-H judges.
Those steps include:
- pick a topic
- research that topic
- title your presentation
- prepare an outline
- develop and use teamwork
- prepare visual aids
- practice
- answer questions.
The meeting, chaired by the two senior members of the club (Janine Esdale and Miranda Newman) shifted gears to where all present were split into groups of two and given a topic to present and discuss in a 'practice' demonstration.
The teams organized their thoughts using key points outlined on paper, then presented their topic within the guidelines expected by 4-H judges.
Although the meeting was only an hour long, all teams got a turn to make a presentation on how to mow your lawn or how to saddle a horse.
Factors that affect judging include eye contact, humour and the ability to answer questions with skill and knowledge.
Princeton's 4-H community includes the following clubs: horse, dog, small engines, rabbit/cavy, lamb, goat and Cloverbub (for children 6-8 years of age) so if you have a son or daughter in your family with an interest in 4-H, it's never too late to get involved.
Call Judi at (250) 295-0055 or Sue at (250) 295-3569 for more information.
