4-H Events

Anne Arundel County Fair

Anne Arundel County Fair

September 13-17,  2023
Crownsville, MD

*** Anne Arundel County 4-H 2023 Fair Catalog ***

As of 2022, All Exhibit Entries (Indoor & Livestock) must be pre-entered online using the link on the AAC Fair website. Registration opens July 14, 2023 and closes Sept. 1, 2023. No late entries accepted, no entries that are not pre-entered accepted. See AAC 4-H Fair Catalogue for details regarding drop off and removal. 

Indoor Entries MUST use the 4-H codes from the AAC 4-H Fairbook.  A direct link to the Martec Blue Ribbon Online Fair Entry System can be found here. 

Public Speaking Contest

One of the many life skills that 4-H offers youth is effective public speaking. This skill, along with many others, helps to build confidence and leadership.  Public speaking fosters creativity, critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, poise, and professionalism, which are valuable for the job market and life. 

The Public Speaking Contest is offered on the county level and qualifying youth are eligible to compete at the state level in the following areas: Extemporaneous, Interpretation, Prepared Speech, Radio Spot, Demonstration, Visual Presentation. 

March 9, 2024
10:00 AM
Baldwin Early Learning Center
921 Generals Highway
Millersville, MD 21108

Contest Flyer and Registration - Click here
Rules and Score Sheets - Click here

AAC 4-H Public Speaking Workshop: March 6, 2024, 6:00 PM at the Extension Office
Workshop Flyer and Registration - Click here

 

Maryland State 4-H Public Speaking Contest

Youth who receive top placing for their age division at the Anne Arundel County 4-H Public Speaking Contest are eligible to participate in the Maryland State 4-H Public Speaking Contest. Each county 4-H program may enter one youth contestant per age division in each category. An invitation from the AAC extension office to register via 4-H Online will be sent following the county contest. Detailed registration instructions will be mailed directly to contestants. More information about the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest can be found on the State’s ‘Healthy Living’ Webpage.

National 4-H Leadership Trip Opportunities

The Maryland 4-H Program is proud to offer senior 4-H members the opportunity to participate in Leadership Trips at the National Level. All enrolled and dues-paying club members ages 14-18 (as of January 1st, the year the trip takes place) from all counties and Baltimore City are eligible to submit an application and portfolio packet (see instructions below) for any of the following national leadership trips. To be considered for a Leadership Trip, a 4-H member must complete a Senior 4-H Portfolio.   

The Senior 4-H Portfolio is used by the State 4-H program to select delegates to represent Maryland at the five National 4-H Leadership Opportunities which are supported by the Maryland 4-H Program and the Maryland 4-H Foundation. This portfolio consists of a resume and essay which must be submitted through the National 4-H Leadership Trips Application (Event in 4-H Online) by January 15th. Applicants must also be interviewed through the process described in detail on the State Leadership webpage.  To be eligible, a 4-H member must be 14 as of January 1st (the year of the trip). Members must be enrolled and approved in 4-H Online in order to submit their application. Individuals may attend each trip only once in a calendar year and a maximum of 3 leadership trips during their 4-H career. 

There are 5 National Trip Opportunities: 

  • National 4-H Conference (April)
  • National Leadership Trips: 
    • Camp Miniwanca National Leadership Conference (June)
    • Virginia 4-H Congress (June)
    • West Virginia Older Member’s Conference (June)
    • National 4-H Congress (November)

Leadership Trip information: https://go.umd.edu/nationalleadership

State Deadline:  January 15th - Portfolios must be submitted to 4-H Online*

*For 2023, Please note that portfolios must be submitted to Gretchen Sumbrum for county approval at our county office by December 1, 2023. Once approved, the portfolio may then be submitted to 4-H Online by 1/15/24.   It is very important that seniors understand they must be enrolled in 4-H for the 2023 year prior to submitting (if submitting sometime 1/1/24 - 1/15/24) AND that 4-H Online is often shut down from mid-Dec to mid-Jan. Seniors are strongly urged to take advantage of the November - mid December portal entry date to avoid missing the January 15th deadline.

Scholarships: to attend these National 4-H Leadership Trip Opportunities are available from the Anne Arundel County Foundation.  Please follow this link to the Anne Arundel County Foundation page on our website to attain a National Trip Scholarship application.

4-H ACTS (Annapolis-Civics-Thriving-Service)

Civic engagement programs empower young people to be well-informed citizens who are engaged in their communities and the world. 4-H ACTS will provide an opportunity for youth to travel to the state capitol, learn about civics, engage with legislators and tell their 4-H stories. Through this unique event, youth will gain skills in civic engagement to promote involvement in their communities & governments, explore the State Capitol's history and learn about Maryland government structure, representatives and operations. Activities include a morning assembly with a local legislator, guided tour of the State House, Scavenger Hunt activity, and a 4-H Showcase. Youth/volunteers are welcome to observe the legislature in action via a General Assembly Session that evening on their own.  

For more detailed information about this event, please review our Youth Delegate and Chaperone Guide Book.  

4-H ACTS

4-H Workshops

AAC 4-H provides workshops for youth and adults throughout the year. They are interactive sessions designed to build knowledge and skills in a variety of areas and provide opportunities to connect with peers from across the county.

Please check back regularly as postings will change throughout the year.