4-H Projects

Rabbits

This club is a year-round project club focused on rabbit breeds, husbandry (nutrition, housing, health, diseases, grooming, etc) and showmanship. Every year we try to have a field trip or two. In the past, we have gone to an exotic animal vet, a rabbit show and a showmanship clinic. Rabbit ownership is not required. The year culminates at the 4H County Fair in August with a rabbit show. Non-rabbit owners are allowed to use someone else's rabbit for showmanship at the fair. This year’s junior leaders are Owen and Noor. The adult leader is Mrs. Penrose.

Crafts

The crafts project will meet 4-5 times from October to May. The 4-Hers will do various crafts throughout the year such as creating shrinky dinks, decorating pictures frames, making holiday wreaths and spring decorations. There are no specific skills needed for this project, just a positive attitude and a willingness to have fun. The adult leader for crafts this year is Mrs. Hijazi and the junior leader is Noor.

Photography

In the Photography project, we focus on the elements of taking good pictures and how to evaluate our work. We try to go "on location" to take photos - we have gone to Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum and the Bishop's Gardens at The National Cathedral. We ask members where they would like to go. Ms. Lester is the adult leader and Tony is the Junior Leader.

Outdoor Adventure

The objectives of this project are to provide members with opportunities to experience the outdoors in a fun and educational setting and to foster appreciation and respect for our natural environment. This groups meets periodically at various outdoor locations such as nearby parks and nature preserves. Some of the activities planned or under consideration for this year include a campfire hike led by a park naturalist at Riverbend Park, an overnight family camping adventure, fishing, bird-watching, and of course our annual canoe and kayaking outing and picnic on the Anacostia River. In addition to kayaking, activities in prior years have included nature hikes, how to start a campfire, campfire cooking, and orienteering. This group is open to all Fairfax City 4-H members--no special skills or prior experience are required. This year's junior leader is Ariana, and the adult leader is Mr. Blake.

Gardening

The Gardening project will focus on the basics of gardening including: Identifying where your garden will be and how it can be laid out (this can include patio gardens, Earth Boxes, as well as backyard gardens), what seeds to plant, how to grow and transfer seedlings, and how to harvest your fruits and vegetables. We may also learn about growing flowers and decorative plants. The project will begin in early spring to align with the growing season for Northern Virginia. This years junior leader is Scarlett and the adult leader is Mr. Greis

Food Preservation

Food preservation teaches members how to dehydrate herbs and fruits, steam and water bath can high acid foods (jams, jellies, and pickles), infuse vinegars and oils, and how to use the foods we've preserved in every day meals. From how to prepare them to how to enjoy them (yep, lots of taste testing happens!), 4-Hers learn to stretch their kitchen skills and their culinary imaginations.

Cooking

Cooking is a combination of art and chemistry. Cooking teaches us the importance of precision and technique, but also has a lot of creative freedom and is a critical skill to have. We make a variety of different foods every year and learn a variety of cooking techniques along the way. Some of our yearly activities have included campfire cooking, grain bowls and holiday cookies. We usually meet once a month at different homes depending on the leader and lesson. At the start of the year we divide the group between experienced and novice to focus on different topics. Owen and Ariana are the junior project leader, and Mrs. Wisdom is the primary adult project leader. Cooking is a genuinely fun, low-stress project for everyone. It is very relaxing and satisfying – not to mention, the end product is always amazing!

Sewing

This project focuses on learning how to use a pattern, different kinds of fabrics, and sewing on a sewing machine. We make various small projects together like hanging towels, pillow cases, and wallets. In the early spring each 4-Her tries to make one thing to model at the county style review Contest in March. This years junior leader is Kate and the adult leader is Ms. Wisdom.

Embryology

Our club is proud of its embryology project. Each year members learn about the development of embryos by hatching chicks. After they hatch, members can foster the baby chicks in their own homes for several weeks. The club also sponsors the Chick Booth at the Fairfax County 4-H Fair to help fairgoers learn more about chickens and their development. Mrs. Wisdom is the project leader.

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