Communications Contest

One of the most important skills that 4-H members can learn is speaking in front of a group. In 4-H, members have lots of chances to practice this skill. One such opportunity is the judging event for Public Presentations which we call Communications Mini-Fair. Mini-Fair is the judged portion of Public Presentations and Horse Speech categories. Some of the types of speeches one can be judged presenting include: Formal Speech, Illustrated Speech, Extempore Speaking, Demonstrations, Master of Ceremonies, Oral Interpretation, Original Works and more..

McHenry County's Communications Mini-Fair event takes place at the Extension office on Saturday, February 14 beginning at 9 a.m. Enrollment is required (use a project ADD form if the 4-H member is not already enrolled) and online registration to select the type of speech is also required. Please use the web link to register to participate in the Communications Mini Fair: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2361

Members may participate in any of the following areas:

· Speaking of Horticulture

· Horticulture Demonstrations

· Artistic Floral Design

· Horse Demonstration

· Horse Illustrated

· Horse Formal Speech

· Master of Ceremony

· Extempore Speaking

· Oral Interpretation

· Original Works

· Demonstration

· Formal Speech

· Food Demonstration

Illinois 4-H Australia Exchange

This program is coordinated by the Australian Exchange Network. You will have the opportunity to live with a host family in the "Land Down Under". The exchange provides youth a chance to discuss with peers of another culture issues such as: farming practices, international economics, environment while developing long lasting friendships.

This program is scheduled to travel between June 17 and July 16, 2009. This exchange is for youth ages 16-19. The estimated cost is $2950 plus roundtrip airfare.

Illinois 4-H Finland Exchange

This 4 week program starts with an orientation in Chicago before traveling to Finland. Learn about their 4-H clubs, the Finnish culture, and daily life while living with a host family during the exchange.

Youth between ages 15-19 have the opportunity to travel to the land of "green gold" from June 14 to July 15. The estimated cost is $1,550 plus roundtrip airfare from Chicago to Helsinki.

Illinois 4-H Costa Rica Exchange

This 4-week program will include a trip to the rainforest and camping with Costa Rican 4-H'ers.

Youth between the ages of 15-18 are invited to attend this exchange between June 20-July 18, 2009. The estimated cost for this trip is $1,550 plus roundtrip airfare

Application deadline for these Exchange opportunities is February 1, 2009. For further information contact: William Million, University of Illinois Extension, State 4-H, (217) 333-1256 or email 2million@illinois.edu.

State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl

The state 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl contest will be held in conjunction with the Illinois Jr. Holstein Spring Thing workshop on Saturday February 28, 2009 at the Hawthorn Suites, 101 Trade Centre Dr., Champaign, IL. The Quiz bowl begins as 8:30 a.m. All interested 4-H members are invited and encouraged to participate -- especially noted for 4-H'ers with dairy breeds other than Holstein. Counties can enter an unlimited number of four member teams or individual members (individuals will be grouped to form teams). There is no limit. The state 4-H contest will have 2 divisions of competition: Jr. Division for 4-H members who are 13 years of age and younger as of January 1, 2009; and Sr. Division for those 4-H members who are 14 years and older before January 1, 2009. Lunch will be served at cost for participants not staying/paying for the entire weekend workshop.

For complete rules visit http://4-h.illinois.edu/events/08judgingcontests/dairy_qb.doc. Please contact the Extension office by February 23, 2009 to sign up for the Illinois 4-H quiz bowl contest.