More than Fun at the Fair

It won't be long before we'll start seeing articles about upcoming activities at local 4-H fairs. Judy Taylor, Extension Educator, Youth Development, says fairs conjure up memories of friends, blue ribbons and fun. Events, like fairs, produce thoughts triggered by our senses—the taste of a lemon shake-up or the third batch of muffins, the aroma of wood shavings in the stall or cinnamon rolls baking, the glimpses of intriguing visual art projects or picture-perfect tomato displays, the feel of an animal's wet nose or the smooth finish on a model rocket, and the musical sound in the poultry building or the confidence in the voice of a teen's persuasive speech.

What seems to be considered less often are the skills, knowledge and attitudes gained by the youth involved with a 4-H fair. Maybe we don't think about these things as often because they are more abstract and less likely to be prompted by our senses, but these abstract skills contribute to a young person's development and are used throughout their lifetime.

It may be obvious that 4-H members learn decision making as they decide exactly what item they'll exhibit at the fair. Getting the exhibit ready for the fair is likely to include goal setting, patience, and persistence. We also assume the fair will provide opportunities to learn sportsmanship and making new friends. There are a great number of skills developed through the 4-H program, and many are reinforced and enhanced at a 4-H fair. Here are few examples of how members gain skills at a 4-H fair:

• When a 4-H'er has three exhibits to prepare for the fair, they learn to plan and prioritize the tasks that need to be done. That woodworking project needs started early so time is allowed for multiple coats of varnish, but the loaf of bread needs to be made the morning of check-in. Stress management is sometimes discovered during a discussion set off by the lack of planning.
• Problem solving is involved when the items for the poster display won't stick to the poster. Do I use tape, wire, string, or super glue? Do I use a photo of the item to avoid the weight of the item itself? How close should I zoom in for the photo, or do I take a series of photos to clarify the concept?
• Surveys tell us that public speaking is one of the tasks most feared by people. 4-Hers begin giving speeches and demonstrations at their local club when they are eight years old. These communications skills are furthered at 4-H fairs though public speaking contests and a variety of other communication opportunities—such as explaining an exhibit during conference judging or providing a radio interview.
• The 4-H fair offers the opportunity for teamwork. Members function as a team when working at a food stand, setting up the show arena, presenting a team demonstration, and participating in wacky olympics.
• Whether it's a broken leg, an ongoing physical challenge, or just someone forgetting a needed item, 4-Hers pitch in on a regular basis to help and share with other members. The development of empathy and concern for others, and then doing something about it, are valuable to all our communities.
• Leadership opportunities abound at a 4-H fair. Members learn and provide leadership as they lead fun activities for younger members, direct participants in livestock show rings, check out the sound system before the foods demonstrations, organize ribbons and trophies, make sure all the equipment is ready for clean-up or set-up, recruit adult volunteers, and serve as mentors to younger members.

So when you head to the 4-H fair and get caught up in the sights, sounds, and smells—it's okay to enjoy a corn dog—but think about the skills 4-Hers are learning: problem solving, empathy, teamwork, communication, and leadership. A 4-H fair is a time to reinforce and strengthen skills used for a lifetime!