CITIZENSHIP & CIVIC EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT CITIZENSHIP
CITIZENSHIP - PUBLIC ADVENTURE
Entries will be interview judged on Wednesday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building. 4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15.
Purpose: The purpose of these Citizenship exhibits is to foster civic responsibility and action within the diverse areas of citizenship including community service, service learning, government and policy making.
RULES
1. Exhibits are entered at 4-H’ers own risk. We will not be responsible for loss or damage to family heirloom items or any items in this division. Displays should not be larger than 22” x 28” wide. If the size needs to be a different size because the item is larger than 22” x 28” please contact the Extension Office for approval. Display collections securely in an attractive container no larger than 22” x 28”.
2. Project Materials: The official reference for the citizenship projects is Citizenship Public Adventures Kit (MI 7329) and Citizen Guide's Handbook (BU 7330). Other helpful citizenship references include Citizenship Washington Focus - We the People (4H1100).
3. Multi-media presentations are to be uploaded to a video streaming application and 4-H member must provide a hard copy of QR code for viewing. 4-H members are encouraged to test their codes or link on several devices to check for appropriate permissions for public viewing.
4. Supporting Material: All entries must include the following:
- What did you learn about citizenship while creating this exhibit?
- References - All exhibitors should reference material sources or supporting information if outside sources were used to create exhibits (i.e, if questions from a game were taken from an outside source, they must be referenced).
- Identification - All entries should be labeled with the exhibitor’s name, club, and county.
5. Scoring: Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hcitizenship or are available at the Extension Office.
6. Entries: Each exhibitor is limited to one item per class.
Ribbons P. B. R. W.
$2.00 $1.50 $1.00 $.50
CLASS A120001 Care Package - This exhibit is a display about the PROCESS of creating and giving a care package, not the actual care package. You may use a poster, Power Point, or another multi-media program to describe the PROCESS of developing and giving a care package to a service organization. Multi-media presentations are to be uploaded to a video streaming application, and 4-H member must provide a hard copy of QR code for viewing. 4-H members are encouraged to test their codes or links on several devices to check for appropriate permissions for public viewing. Include answers to the following questions in your exhibit.
- How did you select the organization?
- What items did you include in your care package?
- Why did you select those items?
- How did it feel to present your care pack to the organization?
- What did you learn from this experience?
- Other information that you feel is important about the care package or organization.
Examples include: Backpack for school supplies, litter pan for animal shelter items, suitcase for abuse shelter or homeless shelter, etc.
CLASS A120002 Citizenship Game - Design a game which could include but is not limited to symbol flash cards, question and answer board or simulation with props. Clear game instructions and objectives must be included.
CLASS A120003 Patriotic or Cultural Fine Arts - Design art relevant to citizenship using any media.
CLASS A120004 Public Adventure Scrapbook - Describe a 4-H member’s Public Adventure or service-learning activity. Scrapbooks must measure no more than 16” x 16”.
CLASS A120005 Public Adventure Poster - Describe a 4-H member’s Public Adventure or service-learning activity. Display posters must be stiff enough to stand when supported from behind and below. Length and width must be no more than 24” x 28”.
CLASS A120006 Written or Recorded Stakeholder Interview - Follow the outline found in the Public Adventures Curriculum. It may be written or recorded. Upload to a video streaming application and 4-H member must provide a hard copy of QR code for viewing. 4-H members are encouraged to test their codes or links on several devices to check for appropriate permissions for public viewing.
CLASS A120007 Written Citizenship Essay - Promote good citizenship and patriotism in essay form. This essay is open to all age groups. All essays should be 300 - 400 typewritten words.
CLASS A120008 For 9th-12th Graders Only: Oral Citizenship Essay - Address the theme “Freedom’s Obligations” should be 3-5 minutes. No background music, singing, or other enhancement allowed. Upload to a video streaming application and 4-H member must provide a hard copy of QR code for viewing. 4-H members are encouraged to test their codes or links on several devices to check for appropriate permissions for public viewing. The voice tone should be normal and conversational. Attach a copy of the written essay.
CLASS A120009 Service Items - Non-perishable item created for donation. Examples include but aren’t limited to lap quilt, Quilt of Valor and homemade toys. Attach an explanation of who the recipient was and how the service project was made and used. The service item could be part of a larger community service effort.
CLASS A120010 4-H Club Exhibit - Depict what a 4-H club has done in the area of community service. This item could include, but is not limited to, a service item, poster, scrapbook, cultural or creative arts item or care package, Quilt of Valor.
SEEING i2i
Entries will be interview-judged on Wednesday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building. 4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families approximately May 15. One entry per class.
Ribbons P. B. R. W.
$2.50 $2.00 $1.50 $1.00
CLASS A130001 Cultural Fine Arts - Design a piece of art that reflects and symbolizes a culture’s unique identity, using the medium of your choice.
CLASS A130002 How are We Different? - Follow the interview guide in the participant manual on page 3 and reflect on the differences and similarities between you and the person you are interviewing.
CLASS A130003 Name Art - Design a piece of art that symbolizes or explains where your name came from and what it means, using the media of your choice.
CLASS A130004 Family History - Create a depiction that highlights a 4-H member’s family cultural history or the ethnic composition of your community. Include details about the first settlers, their origins, and evidence of their cultural background that still exists today - such as community or family celebrations, museum exhibits, educational displays, or historical markers.”
CLASS A130005 Cultural Food Story or Essay - Share the story of a cultural food that’s meaningful to your family. Your entry can be written as a story or essay.
CLASS A130006 “This is Who I Am” Poem - Written by the 4-H member that reflects who they are.
CLASS A130007 Poster - Poster that depicts what you have learned through the i2i Project.
CLASS A130008 Biography - Written about a historical figure that has made a positive impact on our society or who has made a positive impact on our society or who has made a difference in the lives of others.
CLASS A130009 Play Script - Written about a different culture.
DEPARTMENT HERITAGE/GENEALOGY
The purpose of the 4-H Heritage project is to acquire knowledge, develop a connection to the past and share the story of a 4-H member's heritage and history around them. An exhibit may include items, pictures, maps, charts, recordings, drawings, illustrations, writings, or displays that depict the heritage of the member's family or community or 4-H history.
Exhibits are entered at 4-H members’ own risk. We will not be responsible for loss or damage to family heirloom items or any items in this division.
Displays should not be larger than 22” x 28” wide. If the size needs to be a different size because the historical item is larger than 22” x 28” please contact the Extension Office for approval. Display collections securely in an attractive container no larger than 22” x 28”.
Exhibits must include NAME, COUNTY, AGE & PAST EXPERIENCE (years in Explore Your Heritage project) on the back of exhibit.
All entries must include documentation. When writing documentation ask yourself and think about how does this relate to my heritage or why it is important? Examples of documentation; birth dates, death dates, marriage dates, identification of individuals included in the exhibit, or stories related to the subject of the exhibit.
Entries will be interview-judged on Wednesday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building. 4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15. One entry per class.
Ribbons P. B. R. W.
$1.25 $1.00 $.75 $.50
Level I: Beginning (1-4 years in project)
CLASS A101001 Heritage Poster or Flat Exhibit. Entries may be pictures, posters, items that depict family heritage. Exhibits must be supported by a written explanation.
CLASS A101002 Family Genealogy/History Notebook - Include pedigree charts/family group sheets, with documentation for two-three generations of one family line, expanding each year. If multiple books are included in exhibit, only bring book with the most current year’s work.
CLASS A101003 Local History Scrapbook/Notebook - Scrapbook or notebook that depicts history of local community or Nebraska that helps youth appreciate their heritage.
CLASS A101004 Framed Family Groupings (or individuals) of Pictures showing Family History - Pictures must be supported by a written explanation.
CLASS A101005 Other Exhibits depicting the Heritage of the Member's Family or Community - Exhibit must be supported by a written explanation. May include biographical album of themselves or another family member, family cookbooks, etc.
CLASS A101006 4-H History Scrapbook - A scrapbook relating 4-H history of local club or county. Must be work of individual 4-H member - no club project. If multiple books are included in exhibit, only bring book with most current year’s work.
CLASS A101007 4-H History Poster - Poster relating 4-H history of local club or county or individual.
CLASS A101008 Story or Illustration about a Historical Event.
CLASS A101009 Book Review about Local, Nebraska or Regional History.
CLASS A101010 Other Historical Exhibits - Attach an explanation of historical importance.
CLASS A101011 Family Traditions Book - Exhibitor scrapbook depicting family traditions of the past.
CLASS A101012 Family Traditions Exhibit - Story or illustration of a family tradition or event. Exhibits must be supported by a written explanation.
CLASS A101013 4-H Club/County Scrapbook - Scrapbook relating 4-H history of local club or county compiled by club historian. If multiple books included in exhibit, only bring book with most current year’s work.
CLASS A101014 4-H Member Scrapbook - Scrapbook relating to individual 4-H member’s 4-H history. If multiple books included in exhibit, only bring book with most current year’s work.
CLASS A101015 Special Events Scrapbook - A scrapbook relating to a 4-H special event, such as Congress or CWF or a personal or family special event, such as a trip, family reunion, etc.
Level II: Advanced (over 4 years in project)
CLASS A102001 Heritage Poster or Flat Exhibit - Entries may be pictures, posters, items, etc. that depict family heritage. Exhibits must be supported by a written explanation.
CLASS A102002 Family Genealogy/History Notebook - Include pedigree charts/family group sheets, with documentation beyond two-three generations of one family line, expanding each year. If multiple books included in exhibit, only bring book with most current year’s work.
CLASS A102003 Local History Scrapbook/Notebook - Scrapbook or notebook that depicts history of local community or Nebraska that helps youth appreciate their heritage.
CLASS A102004 Framed Family Groupings (or individuals) of Pictures showing Family History - Pictures must be supported by a written explanation.
CLASS A102005 Other Exhibits depicting the Heritage of the Member's Family or Community - Exhibit must be supported by a written explanation. May include, biographical album of themselves or another family member, family cookbooks, etc.
CLASS A102006 4-H History Scrapbook - A scrapbook relating 4-H history of local club or county. Must be work of individual 4-H member - no club project. If multiple books included in exhibit, only bring book with most current year’s work.
CLASS A102007 4-H History Poster - Poster relating 4-H history of local club or county or individual.
CLASS A102008 Story or Illustration about a Historical Event.
CLASS A102009 Book Review about Local, Nebraska, or Regional History.
CLASS A102010 Other Historical Exhibits - Attach an explanation of historical importance.
CLASS A102011 Exhibit depicting the Importance of a Community or Nebraska Historic Landmark.
CLASS A102012 Community Report - documenting something of historical significance from past to present.
CLASS A102013 Historic Collection - displayed securely and attractively in a container no larger than 22” x 28”.
CLASS A102014 Video Documentary of a Family or a Community Event - Must be produced and edited by 4-H member. Video is to be uploaded to a streaming application and 4-H member must provide a hard copy QR code for viewing. 4-H members are encouraged to test their codes or link on several devices to check for appropriate permissions for public viewing.
CLASS A102015 4-H Club/County Scrapbook - Scrapbook relating 4-H history of local club or county compiled by club historian. If multiple books included in exhibit, only bring book with most current year’s work.
CLASS A102016 4-H Member Scrapbook - Scrapbook relating to individual 4-H members' 4-H history. If multiple books included in exhibit, only bring book with most current year’s work.
CLASS A102017 Special Events Scrapbook - A scrapbook relating to a 4-H special event, such as National 4-H Congress or CWF, or a personal or family special event, such as a trip, family reunion, etc.