What do most people think of when they hear Autumn? School? Changing leaves? Apple cider and hot chocolate? When I hear Autumn I think of the fair! Our county has one of the last fairs in the state of Ohio. I am not exactly sure whose is last but I know that ours is close to the end of the list, with our fair being the last full week in September. They have named our fair "The Little State Fair". Now being the city girl that I am I was not acustomed to these fair goings. My husband took me to my first fair when I was pregnant with our oldest. It was the Ohio State Fair. We had a great time! I loved looking at all the projects that were there and all the animals! Now this has become a tradition with the whole family! We go up to the state fair at least one day each year.
Our children also particiapte in the 4-H programs in our county. The 4-H program is a very family friendly program. What a great resource for homeschooling families! The projects that the children participate in can easily be counted as part of the school lessons as well! My boys love taking new projects. There are so many choices. The sky is really the limit since there is a self determined project where you can really take anything that doesn't have a category of it own. We have participated in a wide range of projects like archery, shotgun, electricity, rockets and cooking.
I am proud to say that we have brought home ribbons and trophies, even a few grand champoins!! We are proud of our children regardless of how they place, of course. We just ask that they do their best and we can't ask for more than that.
Our youngest son can't wait untill this January since he will be a regular 4-H'er. Cloverbuds is what the program is called for children too young to be in "regular" 4-H. These children come to the meetings/activities with the other kids, they just do one project at the fair instead of individual onces. Like I said a great extracurricular event for the whole family!
The 4-h program offers so much for the children in projects, however that is not all. It also offers leadership and interview skills. Each child that wants his or her project displayed at the fair has to go thru the interview process. What a great life skill for a future job. There is alo a jr fair board that helps out with the kids projects. This is one area where the leadership comes in. Our oldest will be trying out for the jr fair board this year to start his term in Jan. We are so grateful for the experience and fun that 4-h has brought to our children. We always look forward to starting a a new 4-h year in Jan.
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