Our club projects are Horse, Leadership, Community Service, Communications and Public Speaking. 4H – Who we are 4-H’ers across the nation are responding to challenges every day in their communities and their world. With an expansive network reaching every corner of the country, 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization. More than 6 million 4-H youth in urban neighborhoods, suburb
an schoolyards and rural farming communities stand out among their peers: building revolutionary opportunities and implementing community-wide change at an early age. As the youth development program of the nation’s 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System, 4-H fosters an innovative, “learn by doing” approach with proven results. The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, a longitudinal study conducted by the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University, shows youth engaged with 4-H are:
o Nearly two times more likely to get better grades in school;
o Nearly two times more likely to plan to go to college;
o 41 percent less likely to engage in risky behaviors; and
o 25 percent more likely to positively contribute to their families and communities. Unparalleled Reach and Scope
With 540,000 volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 60 million alumni, the 4-H movement supports young people from elementary school through high school with programs designed to shape future leaders and innovators. Fueled by research-driven programming, 4-H'ers engage in hands-on learning activities in the areas of science, citizenship and healthy living. Leading by Example
The caring support of adult volunteers and mentors inspires young people in 4-H to work collaboratively, take the lead on their own projects and set and achieve goals with confidence. 4-H’ers chart their own course, explore important issues and define their place in the world. 4-H’ers stand up for themselves and their communities. These pivotal experiences build a foundation of leadership and skills for success in their future careers. Upton Hoofbeats 4H Horse Club information:
• Must be 5 – 18 years old
• Our club has no fees, dues and we do not do fundraising for the club.
• A $50 4H enrollment fee is paid to our governing body – U-Mass Ext. This covers insurance costs and offers free admittance into any 4H club and other activities.
• Cloverbud Horse club for 5- 7 year olds. Regular club for 8- 19 year olds
• Our 4H club is not a riding program or learn to ride program – this is a 4H and horse knowledge based program. While we do spend the bulk of our time on horse topics we also do public speaking and community service activities.
• Some mounted activities are held in the spring and are reserved for members who participate in at least 1 or more of the core 4H activities. Our Upton Hoofbeat Club Activities
• Fees – a yearly $50 fee is paid to the U-Mass Extension – the governing body of Massachusetts 4H club. Our club has no dues or any other fees. We do ask that members share a snack or juice boxes or water occasionally at our meetings however this is 100% optional.
• Meetings - we meet every other week doing hands on activities learning about 4H and horses.
• 4H Records
o This is a year long body of work due to the county office on 11/15. This is a record of the child’s year including everything they do, not just horse stuff. They set goals, track progress, list what they learned, keep financial records and note any camps, awards, etc. A great keepstake. Records are judged and are cumulative over the childs years in 4H. Children are honored at a County wide banquet held in April by their State reps and Senators for their accomplishments. Records are the source for college scholarships and internship opportunities.
• County Horse Bowl, Hippology and Horse Judging
o Knowledge based competetions where children apply the information they aquire through meetings and reading 4H materials. All 4H members are required to obtain the two 4H green books Horse Science and Horses and Horsemanship available on the 4H website. County Competition are in January and state teams compete a weekend in April.
• Visual Presentations
o Public speaking with the use of visual aids on any topic – this does not have to be about horses and school projects are allowed. County competitons are typically the end of February and State in March.
• 4H Recognition banquet dinner
o Free for all kids who submitted a record or was a state representative. o Local Senators and State reps are there to present awards to kids. o This occurs in April
• Community Service projects
o Ma 4H food Drive – Oct - Nov
o Operation Military Kids - ongoing
o Service to homeless families – usually June
• 4H camps
o 100% optional
o See campmarshall.org for more details. o All enrolled members receive discounted “camperships” to attend. The more active in the activities listed above, the larger the discount. o Other camps are offered during school vacations and summer to older members.
• Leadership opportunities
o Teen leadership conferences
o 4H Ambassadors program
o 4H Congress and Conference in Washington DC – must apply
Only members who are involved in a regular riding lesson program and are deemed to have enough experience and control will be allowed to ride unassisted in mounted activities. Those wilth no experience will be allowed to ride supervised on the lead line with a leader. Parents will be required to assist their children.
• Rock Hill Farm does not offer riding lessons to the public, it is a private horse farm that hosts 4H meetings. We are happy to give referrals to local farms that do provide riding instruction. Meetings are held bi-weekly at Rock Hill Farm in Upton. Contact Hoofbeats leader Karla Barrows at [email protected] with any questions or for more information
