Expectations of 4-H Clubs and Members of 4-H Clubs
In general, all 4-H club members are expected to meet the following minimum expectation standards each year:
- Attend at least 70 percent of regular club meetings.
- Complete a 4-H project, doing one’s own work with minimal assistance from parents or others.
- Give a club, community, or county 4-H presentation.
- Complete a 4-H project record book.
Rompin' Rabbits and Cuddly Cavy 4-H Club's Constitution and By-Laws may be read here.
To join a 4-H club or find out more about what 4-H has to offer, contact or visit the Extension Office in the county where you live. Most counties also have local 4-H information on their own web sites. You can find out what types of 4-H clubs are available and when and where they meet.
Source - http://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/about_4h/4h_clubs.htm
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4-H Age and Participation Divisions
4-H programs are offered on an age-appropriate basis to youth, ages 5-19. This is the general age requirement for 4-H participation. On occasion, multi-state and national 4-H programs and events may use different age criteria and will be adhered to as necessary to qualify for participation.
Age classifications for 4-H club members are:
All ages are as of January 1 of the current 4-H year, which spans from September through August. Here are some examples for clarification:
Age Appropriateness and Competition
All 4-H programs and activities shall be offered on an age-appropriate basis that should consider the mental and physical readiness of youth, availability of suitable curriculum materials, adequate supervision, and the health and safety of participants.
4-H Cloverbuds are limited to participation in non-competitive activities. Ideally, separate, age-appropriate learning activities should be offered to 4-H Cloverbuds that may eventually lead to their participation in full-fledged competitive events when they are at least nine years of age. However, if Cloverbuds are part of a competitive event involving older youth, they shall not be judged and will receive only recognition of participation (such as a green ribbon, small prize, or token).
Source: http://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/kids_families/age_categories.html
4-H programs are offered on an age-appropriate basis to youth, ages 5-19. This is the general age requirement for 4-H participation. On occasion, multi-state and national 4-H programs and events may use different age criteria and will be adhered to as necessary to qualify for participation.
Age classifications for 4-H club members are:
- Cloverbud Member: ages 5-8
- Junior Member: ages 9-13
- Senior Member: ages 14-19
All ages are as of January 1 of the current 4-H year, which spans from September through August. Here are some examples for clarification:
- If a child is age 5 on January 1, she can join 4-H for the entire 4-H year as a Cloverbud member.
- If a child turns age 5 on January 2 or later, she must wait until the next 4-H year to join.
- If a member is 8 years or under as of January 1, he is a Cloverbud member.
- If a member is 9 years or older on January 1, she is a Junior or Senior 4-H club member.
- If a teen will be age 18 on December 31, he can join for the entire 4-H year.
- If a teen is age 19 on January 1, he cannot join 4-H but is encouraged to serve as a 4-H volunteer.
- Collegiate 4-H Clubs are available at many colleges and universities for those wishing to continue 4-H activities into their early twenties.
Age Appropriateness and Competition
All 4-H programs and activities shall be offered on an age-appropriate basis that should consider the mental and physical readiness of youth, availability of suitable curriculum materials, adequate supervision, and the health and safety of participants.
4-H Cloverbuds are limited to participation in non-competitive activities. Ideally, separate, age-appropriate learning activities should be offered to 4-H Cloverbuds that may eventually lead to their participation in full-fledged competitive events when they are at least nine years of age. However, if Cloverbuds are part of a competitive event involving older youth, they shall not be judged and will receive only recognition of participation (such as a green ribbon, small prize, or token).
Source: http://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/kids_families/age_categories.html
Rompin' Rabbits and Cuddly Cavy 4-H Club
This is a 4-H rabbit and cavy club which is open to all residents of South Carolina, but our club is based in Lexington County, South Carolina. In the past, we have had members who live in Richland, Lexington, and Aiken Counties.
There is a $10 membership fee (payable to Clemson Extension) to join any 4-H club and our club has club dues of $5 per youth per club year (not to exceed $25 per family per club year). There may be sponsorships/scholarships available, so please do not make this the deciding factor in joining.
To join our club, please download and fill out the forms and bring them with you to your first meeting. If you are already a 4-H member with the Lexington Clemson Extension office for the current club year, you just need to ask for our club to be added to the clubs you are already a part of on your forms.
This is a 4-H rabbit and cavy club which is open to all residents of South Carolina, but our club is based in Lexington County, South Carolina. In the past, we have had members who live in Richland, Lexington, and Aiken Counties.
There is a $10 membership fee (payable to Clemson Extension) to join any 4-H club and our club has club dues of $5 per youth per club year (not to exceed $25 per family per club year). There may be sponsorships/scholarships available, so please do not make this the deciding factor in joining.
To join our club, please download and fill out the forms and bring them with you to your first meeting. If you are already a 4-H member with the Lexington Clemson Extension office for the current club year, you just need to ask for our club to be added to the clubs you are already a part of on your forms.
Rompin' Rabbits and Cuddly Cavy 4-H Club Activities
Rabbit and Cavy Curriculum
We use the South Carolina 4-H/FFA Rabbit Curriculum (Cloverbud, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced) and the South Carolina 4-H/FFA Cavy Curriculum (Cloverbud, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced). Both the rabbit and cavy curriculum cover various topics/activities and allow the 4-H member to choose other related supplemental topics and activities, as they apply. All 4-H members will be expected to complete a Rabbit and/or Cavy Project Record Book(s) and turn them in to be judged at the end of the club year. More information about the South Carolina 4-H/FFA Rabbit Curriculum and South Carolina 4-H/FFA Cavy Curriculum can be found on this page or in the introduction, in the front of each of the Project books.
All 4-Hers who are 14 years and older will be expected to complete a Portfolio of all their 4-H work and turn it in along with their 4-H Project Record Book(s).
Rabbit Cloverbud Project Book Cavy Cloverbud Project Book
Rabbit Annual Report (required for all 4-H members, except Cloverbuds) Cavy Annual Report (required for all 4-H members, except Cloverbuds)
Rabbit Beginner Level Project Book Cavy Beginner Level Project Book
Rabbit Intermediate Level Project Book Cavy Intermediate Level Project Book
Rabbit Advanced Level Project Book Cavy Advanced Level Project Book
Local, County, and State Shows
We encourage 4-H members, who have purebred rabbits, to show them in the two (2) local rabbit shows (Southern Pride Rabbit & Cavy Club's shows in May and December) and all 4-H members are strongly encouraged to show their project animals at the South Carolina State Fair and a couple other local county fairs' 4-H rabbit shows (mixed breeds and spayed/neutered rabbits are normally shown together in a pet class). Many of our 4-H members also show their rabbits and cavies at various American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) sanctioned shows in South Carolina and the surrounding states. These shows are a great way to connect with other 4-H members from other states and other youth who have rabbits and cavies.
Showmanship, Breed ID, and Judging Competitions; Written Knowledge Tests; and 4-H Rabbit Ambassador
All 4-H members are encouraged to participate in Rabbit and/or Cavy Showmanship (judging how the youth presents their rabbit/cavy, which can be purebred or mixed-breed), Breed ID (identifying rabbits and/or cavies by breed, showroom variety, registration variety, and 4 or 6 class), and Judging Competitions (judging a class of four rabbits or cavies and giving reasons for your placements to a judge), as well as various other 4-H state and county activities decided on during the year.
A statewide 4-H rabbit & cavy show/showmanship/breed ID/judging competition/rabbit hopping is in the works to bring the various South Carolina 4-H rabbit and cavy clubs/projects together and encourage the 4-H members in their area of interest.
Rabbit Showmanship Form
Cavy Showmanship Form
Breed ID Study Guide for Rabbits and Cavies
4-H Rabbit/Cavy Judging Form
4-H Rabbit/Cavy Judging Guidelines
Displays and Educational Events
4-H members will also assist with local rabbit/cavy displays around Easter, during the South Carolina State Fair, and at other local and state 4-H activities. These are a way we recruit members for our 4-H club and also help people learn about rabbit and cavies animals. Often the 4-H members are able to bring their own animals to these events. More information is available closer to the time of the individual events.
Rabbit and Cavy Curriculum
We use the South Carolina 4-H/FFA Rabbit Curriculum (Cloverbud, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced) and the South Carolina 4-H/FFA Cavy Curriculum (Cloverbud, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced). Both the rabbit and cavy curriculum cover various topics/activities and allow the 4-H member to choose other related supplemental topics and activities, as they apply. All 4-H members will be expected to complete a Rabbit and/or Cavy Project Record Book(s) and turn them in to be judged at the end of the club year. More information about the South Carolina 4-H/FFA Rabbit Curriculum and South Carolina 4-H/FFA Cavy Curriculum can be found on this page or in the introduction, in the front of each of the Project books.
All 4-Hers who are 14 years and older will be expected to complete a Portfolio of all their 4-H work and turn it in along with their 4-H Project Record Book(s).
Rabbit Cloverbud Project Book Cavy Cloverbud Project Book
Rabbit Annual Report (required for all 4-H members, except Cloverbuds) Cavy Annual Report (required for all 4-H members, except Cloverbuds)
Rabbit Beginner Level Project Book Cavy Beginner Level Project Book
Rabbit Intermediate Level Project Book Cavy Intermediate Level Project Book
Rabbit Advanced Level Project Book Cavy Advanced Level Project Book
Local, County, and State Shows
We encourage 4-H members, who have purebred rabbits, to show them in the two (2) local rabbit shows (Southern Pride Rabbit & Cavy Club's shows in May and December) and all 4-H members are strongly encouraged to show their project animals at the South Carolina State Fair and a couple other local county fairs' 4-H rabbit shows (mixed breeds and spayed/neutered rabbits are normally shown together in a pet class). Many of our 4-H members also show their rabbits and cavies at various American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) sanctioned shows in South Carolina and the surrounding states. These shows are a great way to connect with other 4-H members from other states and other youth who have rabbits and cavies.
Showmanship, Breed ID, and Judging Competitions; Written Knowledge Tests; and 4-H Rabbit Ambassador
All 4-H members are encouraged to participate in Rabbit and/or Cavy Showmanship (judging how the youth presents their rabbit/cavy, which can be purebred or mixed-breed), Breed ID (identifying rabbits and/or cavies by breed, showroom variety, registration variety, and 4 or 6 class), and Judging Competitions (judging a class of four rabbits or cavies and giving reasons for your placements to a judge), as well as various other 4-H state and county activities decided on during the year.
A statewide 4-H rabbit & cavy show/showmanship/breed ID/judging competition/rabbit hopping is in the works to bring the various South Carolina 4-H rabbit and cavy clubs/projects together and encourage the 4-H members in their area of interest.
Rabbit Showmanship Form
Cavy Showmanship Form
Breed ID Study Guide for Rabbits and Cavies
4-H Rabbit/Cavy Judging Form
4-H Rabbit/Cavy Judging Guidelines
Displays and Educational Events
4-H members will also assist with local rabbit/cavy displays around Easter, during the South Carolina State Fair, and at other local and state 4-H activities. These are a way we recruit members for our 4-H club and also help people learn about rabbit and cavies animals. Often the 4-H members are able to bring their own animals to these events. More information is available closer to the time of the individual events.
Choosing a Rabbit or Cavy Breed
A youth does not have to have their own rabbit or cavy in order to join the Rompin' Rabbit and Cuddly Cavy 4-H Rabbit Club.
If they want to get a rabbit or cavy, their leader will work with them and help them find a breed of their choice which they will be able to handle.
They may also be able to lease or borrow a rabbit or cavy for their project if they are not allowed to have them where they live (this will only be allowed on a case by case basis).
We only recommend reputable breeders who sell show-quality rabbits and cavies (according to American Rabbit Breeders Association guidelines) for a reasonable price, normally starting around $35 each.
A youth does not have to have their own rabbit or cavy in order to join the Rompin' Rabbit and Cuddly Cavy 4-H Rabbit Club.
If they want to get a rabbit or cavy, their leader will work with them and help them find a breed of their choice which they will be able to handle.
They may also be able to lease or borrow a rabbit or cavy for their project if they are not allowed to have them where they live (this will only be allowed on a case by case basis).
We only recommend reputable breeders who sell show-quality rabbits and cavies (according to American Rabbit Breeders Association guidelines) for a reasonable price, normally starting around $35 each.
Rabbit and Cavy Cages and Supplies
There is a regional vendor for rabbit/cavy cages and supplies who is willing to give current 4-H members a discount on their purchases. Please contact us if you are interested in finding out more information about this vendor.
There is a regional vendor for rabbit/cavy cages and supplies who is willing to give current 4-H members a discount on their purchases. Please contact us if you are interested in finding out more information about this vendor.
Are you a Home School Student?
A course description can be written up for any home schooled students who desire their 4-H rabbit and/or cavy club involvement to count toward credit for their schooling. However, we need to be informed of any 4-H member who desires this and if their governing home school organization has any particular way it needs to be reported.
Possible elective credits available:
Animal Husbandry - Introduction
Animal Husbandry - Basic
Animal Husbandry - Intermediate
Animal Husbandry - Advanced
Leadership in Animal Husbandry
1/2 credit = 75 documented hours
1 credit hour = 150 documented hours
The students would achieve their hours through attending meetings, going to shows, participating in displays, completing their 4-H project record book and annual report book, ARBA Convention youth educational contest projects, and various other things they decide on as a club (extra ideas and projects will also be presented to those interested).
A course description can be written up for any home schooled students who desire their 4-H rabbit and/or cavy club involvement to count toward credit for their schooling. However, we need to be informed of any 4-H member who desires this and if their governing home school organization has any particular way it needs to be reported.
Possible elective credits available:
Animal Husbandry - Introduction
Animal Husbandry - Basic
Animal Husbandry - Intermediate
Animal Husbandry - Advanced
Leadership in Animal Husbandry
1/2 credit = 75 documented hours
1 credit hour = 150 documented hours
The students would achieve their hours through attending meetings, going to shows, participating in displays, completing their 4-H project record book and annual report book, ARBA Convention youth educational contest projects, and various other things they decide on as a club (extra ideas and projects will also be presented to those interested).
Common Courtesy Rules (and a reminder to all)
If you are planning on riding with someone to a show, meeting or other 4-H activity, either with or without rabbits, it is a common courtesy to split the cost of gas for the trip with the driver/owner of the vehicle.
If you are not planning on personally going to a show, but want to send rabbits, it is a common courtesy to pay a transportation fee or to help pay for the gas, as well as paying the person showing your rabbit(s) for you.
If you are planning on riding with someone to a show, meeting or other 4-H activity, either with or without rabbits, it is a common courtesy to split the cost of gas for the trip with the driver/owner of the vehicle.
If you are not planning on personally going to a show, but want to send rabbits, it is a common courtesy to pay a transportation fee or to help pay for the gas, as well as paying the person showing your rabbit(s) for you.