4-H booths judged on creativity, educational value
By Nick Sabo
August 8, 2011
1607
4-H clubs took up a water theme for this years booth displays, lighting up the 4-H building with images of blue seas and sandy beaches.
Eight clubs who did booths this year were judged Monday morning, with three receiving outstanding display ribbons. The water theme took an unfortunately ironic turn Saturday, when a thunderstorm washed rain into the building.
OSU Extension educator Kate Schumaker said the judges took the water damage in stride.
There were a few booths that were actually done Saturday night, Schumaker said. A few were damaged, and the judges were aware of that.
Variegated Clovers advisor Jami Ashbaugh got in early to tidy up her clubs display. Her club came in Saturday, but wisely stored several poster-board backed life skills projects off the floor.
Other clubs are dealing with the water by raising the booth display floors on pallets, Schumaker said. Flooding is something weve come to expect, Schumaker said.
When making their decisions, judges look at overall creativity, presentation, and educational value. The booth should advertise 4-H and the many opportunities it offers young people.
The water theme was taken up by five clubs. The Backyard Buddies trucked in some beach sand and built a sand castle. The Berlin Busy Bees lined their booth with different surfboard designs, and Buckeye 4-H created a wave effect using blue paint and aluminum foil. The clubs have many hours invested in their booths, Schumaker said. The 4-H building opened Friday evening and was open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Most of the clubs who put up displays have hours and hours of work in them, here and outside at club meetings, Schumaker said. Some clubs do a mini-meeting and 20-30 people come in. Others, its just who is available at the time.
The booths are also a good way for 4-Hers to display non-animal projects. In the sand at the Backyard Buddies booth were, among other projects, two displays of local insects.
The water theme came into inadvertent play in the Variegated Clovers booth with a homemade muskrat trap and fishing projects.
The 4-H building also hosts smaller club displays on risers, and the Boy Scouts have set up a booth as well.
