All 4-H members are limited to one (1) exhibit per entry number and four (4) exhibits per project.
GENERAL RULES:
- No Firearms, Items with a Blade (broad heads, knives, saws, etc.) or related items of any other kind, may be exhibited. This applies to actual items, replicated items, and item parts. Photos are a suitable substitution for actual items.
- Show What You Did & Learned: - All 4-H members must show evidence of their personal field experiences, study or observations that relate to their exhibit. This helps judges understand what the 4-H member did and learned in the process that led to the exhibit.
- Proper Credit: - Show proper credit by listing the sources of plans or other supporting information used in exhibits.
- Exhibitor Information: - The 4-H member's name, county, age must be on the back or bottom of all displays.
- Wildlife & Wildlife Laws: - "Animal" or "wildlife" in the following classes includes wild fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals. Domestic animals (i.e. domestic livestock or house pets) and insect exhibits are not appropriate for this area. 4-H members must comply with current state and federal laws. It is illegal to possess threatened, endangered, or protected wildlife, or the feathers, nests, or eggs of non-game birds. These items cannot be part of any exhibit. Game birds and game animals taken legally during an open season may be used.
- Project Materials: - Related project booklets include Exploring Your Environment Series, 4-H Shooting Sports, Amphibians, Bird Behavior (EC59381), Fishing for Adventure Project Manuals, Wildlife Conservation (4H125), Geology, and Outdoor Adventure. Other resources include: Outdoor Skills: Learning Science in the Outdoors series (Science Signature Outcome Program) outdoornebraska.gov/afterschool and www.whep.org.
- Exhibit Size Guidelines
- Board and Poster Exhibits: Mount all board exhibits on ¼ inch plywood, Masonite, or similar panel no larger 24 inches high x 24 inches wide. Poster exhibits should be on regular poster sheets, no larger than standard size (22 inches x 28 inches) but half size, 22 inches x 14 inches, is recommended.
- All Other Exhibits: Exhibits other than poster/display board should not exceed 48 inches x 48 inches and be able to be moved by two people. Large exhibits (larger than listed above) must be suited and prepared for outdoor exhibition at the Nebraska State Fair. If large exhibits are not suited for outdoor exhibition, youth have the option to create a poster or another suitable substitute for the exhibit, instead of exhibiting the project itself.
Follow Nebraska Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
All static exhibits must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair.
Score sheets and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hconservation-wildlife-shooting. An explanation of projects and curriculum resources can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/resources/projects/.
PREMIUMS: Purple, $4.00; Blue, $3.00; Red, $2.00; White, $1.00
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES LEVEL 1, CLASSES (Scoresheet SF281)
**D341901 Map – Draw/color a map of your hiking trip. Can include the path taken, landmarks, and any special sights or location of interest.
**D341902 Collage or Collection – Make a collage with items collected while hiking, camping, fishing, or hunting, or make a box to store your collection.
**D341903 Camping/Hiking Safety – Poster or safety kit to be used while camping or hiking.
**D341904 Camping/Hiking Gear – Poster or notebook showing camping or hiking essentials. Include why items are useful while camping or hiking.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES LEVEL 2, CLASSES
D341001 Poster (Scoresheet SF281) - Topics may include, but not limited to one or more of the following: how to pitch a tent, knot tying, cooking over a campfire, how to start a campfire, wildlife and plants identified while camping, how to set up emergency shelter, dealing with weather, collection of photos from camping trips, “Leave No Trace” and how that was followed while camping, plan a camping trip, camping essentials, environmental issues/protecting natural resources, park or trail clean up, sanitation/hygiene while outdoors or use of GPS.
D341002 Journal/Binder (Scoresheet SF281) - Written report of virtual or actual camping/hiking trips with observations OR field journal (notes of actual experiences, sights, sounds, smells, etc.), OR camping or hiking trip diary. Explain growth in project, leading the hikes, planning the camping trip, now being able to identify the wildlife and nature around you and how identified (sight/sound/shape/smell/color). Feathers/leaf/flower pressings must be securely attached, if included. Photos of drawings of observations encouraged. Exhibits measure no larger than 16 inches x 16 inches.
D341003 Camping/Hiking Safety (Scoresheet SF281) - Must include explanation of use of item and why selected/purpose, how it fits hiking/camping needs. May include, but are not limited to, one of the following: travel sized poisonous plants guide, camping first aid kit, weather/water safety or hand hygiene kit.
D341004 Digital Media (Scoresheet SF281) - Use digital media to show video/slideshow/presentation of setting up a tent (include why site is chosen) or protecting natural resources or environmental issues or computer video camping/hiking game. Submit a USB drive or DVD inside a report cover or notebook. If using a slideshow, include printed slides inside a report cover or notebook.
D341005 Other Camping Items (Scoresheet SF281) - Must include what inspired the creation of the item and its purpose. May include but are not limited to one of the following: nature art, nature haiku poem, spider web sketches or knot display.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES LEVEL 3, CLASSES
D341006 Poster (Scoresheet SF281) - Topics may include but not limited to one of the following: Topographic map, backpacking trip plan, camp layout, plan an expedition (can be dreamed or lived), collection of photos from your expedition, trails hiked, cost comparison of rental vs purchase or using GPS/compass.
D341007 Journal/Binder (Scoresheet SF281) - Written report of actual, virtual or imagined expeditions/camping/hiking, OR field journal (notes of actual experiences, sights, sounds, smells, etc.). Explain growth in project, challenges in leading a group, teaching others about wildlife and nature identification and “Leave No Trace.” Exhibits measure no larger than 16 inches X 16 inches.
D341008 Expedition Safety (Scoresheet SF281) - Must include an explanation of use of items, why selected/purpose of item, how it meets hiking/camping/expedition needs. May include but are not limited to; travel sized edible plants, creepy crawly guide, tent repair kit, travel first aid kit or weather/water safety.
D341009 Digital Media (Scoresheet SF281) - Use digital media to show video/slideshow/presentation of one of the following, but not limited to; building a non-tent shelter (include why needed), packing your backpack/equipment and getting it onto you, teaching others about environmental issues or a computer video backpacking expedition game. Submit a USB drive or DVD inside a report cover or notebook. If using a slideshow, include printed slides inside report cover or notebook.
D341010 Other Expedition Items (Scoresheet SF281) - Must include what inspired the creation of the item, and the purpose of the item. May include but are not limited to; nature art, nature cinquain poem, backpacking food recipes, hiking/expedition conditioning plan, charcoal etching, dehydrated meal or snack (at least 1 cup displayed in a re-sealable plastic bag with ingredients, instructions, and nutritional facts included). Exhibits measure no larger than 18 inches X 24 inches.