Collections & Hobbies

Collections

See Poster Preparation tab below.

1. Exhibit collection neatly and attractively in one of these 3 methods
               A. Enclosed in some type of box/container SIZE
               B. In a notebook
               C. On a poster (22"x 28”) displayed horizontally
   2. Exhibit may be a continuation of member’s previous collection or a new
   collection consisting of the appropriate number of items.
   3.All items must be labeled. Example: "Matchbook cover given to me by
   my father.” “Button from my mother's wedding dress".
   4. No live items are acceptable.
   5. If collection is too large or valuable to exhibit, exhibit in a notebook with
   photos and descriptions of your collection. Photo quality will not be judged EXHIBIT

NOTE: Leaves, insects, weeds, and rocks are NOT to be exhibited in the Collections project. 4-H members must enroll and complete the Forestry, Entomology, Weeds or Geology projects to exhibit these items.

EXHIBIT

Beginners:

Grade 3: 6 items

Grade 4: 8 items

Grade 5: 10 items

 Intermediate:

Grade 6: 12 items

Grade 7: 14 items

Grade 8: 16 items

 Advanced:

Grade 9: 18 items

Grade 10; 20 items

Grade 11: 22 items

Grade 12: 24 items

This project gives the 4-Her a chance to share their interest in fields that are not sports related.

Poster must follow the general rules found under the Poster Preparation tab.

1. In this project you will research your subject of choice relating to your hobby.
2. You can research the historical events that pertain to your subject of choice
3. You will display your findings on a poster or in a notebook.
4. You should select different subject matters within your choice each year
All Posters, and notebooks Display Boards

Bowling - Poster required for this hobby
1. Must bowl at least 3 games to complete this project. Games must be completed in the current 4-H year. Score sheets of best 3 games must be taped to the back of your poster or used on your poster exhibit. Poster to include pertinent information about bowling (history, facts, figures, terms)

JUDGING INFORMATION: (Use General poster scorecard) Items the judge will look for on your poster:
1. Subject (suitable, well organized, easily understood, encourages thought, accurate information.
2. Accomplishes Purpose
3. Attracts Interest (Original, good use of color, high quality graphics if used)
4. Workmanship (neat, well secured)
5. Meets Poster Requirements (Size, stiff backing, acetate covering and label)
6. Effective Title
7. Follows exhibit rules and guidelines for specific hobby.

Music – Poster, Binder/Notebook – Create a cover sheet for the cover of your notebook OR the first page inside your notebook.
1. Include dated music activities log sheets (handwritten or typed)
2. Prepare a list of songs/materials and include why you selected them
3. Include programs, photos and music (no more than 10 pages (20 sides) or download a cd of your performances including song list.

Poster – Create a poster describing some aspect of music that you are involved in. Include pictures, dates, times and things that you enjoy about this topic.

*Please consider exhibiting your musical talents at the Creative Expo in June. Participants there may sing, dance, tumble or play an instrument.

Reading
Project options listed below. Must include folder with required reports and exhibit tags on all entries:
1. Books must be read between previous 4-H fair and July 1 of the current
2. The participant will read 6 (six) books
3. A report should be completed on all 6 books read. A report form is provided with this project booklet. Include report on back of your poster or with your exhibit. See last page of this project manual for report form.
4. Choose from the following exhibit options to be entered:

Poster – that tells about a book you read and liked.
• Make a poster that would encourage people to read
• Read 3 or 4 books to someone younger or elderly. Then write a paper about the books and how they were accepted.
• Design a book jacket for a book that you especially liked
• Make a mobile which contains characters from favorite books
• Create original illustrations for a story using a variety of materials.

Religion
Your poster should explain historical events and beliefs. Research a different religion each year.
What to Exhibit: Exhibit a poster on the following topics.
• Poster can explain the religion you studied
• Poster can compare two religions; similarities and differences

Poster Guidelines
• All posters, notebooks, and display boards must include a reference list indicating where information was obtained, giving credit to the original author, to complete the 4-H member’s exhibit. This reference list includes web site links, people and professionals interviewed, books, magazines, etc. It is recommended this reference list be attached to the back of a poster or display board, be the last page of a notebook, or included as part of the display visible to the public. A judge is not to discredit an exhibit for the manner in which references are listed.
• ALL posters must be 22x28 inches and displayed HORIZONTALLY 28” across. (Vertical posters will be dropped one place) All 4-H posters should use foam core board. This material can be used as the poster or can have a poster board attached to it.
• Foam core board may be purchased from the Extension Office. Be sure to purchase the correct size foam core board from other sources. It is not advisable to use plywood, or Masonite or similar materials for poster backing.
• Poster sleeves and salon print sleeves are available for purchase from the Extension Office and recommended. You may cover your poster with other clear plastic that is heavy enough not to wrinkle. DO NOT USE SARAN WRAP!!
• Project labels from the Extension Office must be attached to the lower right-hand corner of the poster on the outside of the plastic covering. Please allow room for this label when organizing your poster.
• Notebook exhibits must be displayed in a standard three ring binder.
Poster should "tell a story" or be informative to the audience. Will the viewer of your poster learn something from the exhibit?
• When designing your poster, consider: lines, shapes, textures, colors and placement of items.
• Pictures, graphics and artwork are encouraged.
• Make sure the poster accurately meets the guidelines and objectives of the activities in the manual.
• Information printed directly off the web will not be accepted.
• Materials included in the poster need to be educational, for the audience, and should demonstrate that the 4_Her was able to take what they learned from their research to create the poster.

Secrets of a Successful Poster
A successful poster will:
· Catch the eye of the passerby
· Be simple and clear
· Impress an idea or a fact upon the viewer
· Stimulate the viewer to support your idea, get more information, or take appropriate action.
· Have space left over—Posters that are uncluttered are easier to read.
An effective poster: attracts attention, focuses on a main interest or idea, and motivates you.

Planning A Poster
A poster should have one main idea. Have the reason clearly in mind before you start.
· Consider who your viewer will be
· Decide what you want them to know
· Decide what you want them to do
· Think of a clever theme or slogan
· Limit your effort to one main idea
· Make a small rough sketch
· Visual communication is an aid to what you are trying to teach with your project.

Choosing Colors
Color combinations affect how easily the message is read and the overall appearance of the poster.
· Consider the Contrast: This means you use dark letters on a light background, and light letters on a dark background.
· Let the most important items be the most important color.
· Colors that are close to the background shade will not show up well and cannot be read at a distance.
· Avoid using too many different colors. Two or three should be sufficient. You don’t want to overwhelm your main point!
· Avoid putting red and green next to each other—this is hard to focus on if a person is colorblind.
· Avoid bright neon colors—they may catch the eye, but they are hard to focus on.

Lettering
· Lower case letters are easier to read than all CAPITALS. Use capitals only for emphasizing an important phrase or word to give variety.
· Save fancy or script lettering for catching the attention of the viewer.
· When hand lettering, always use guidelines. Using a ruler, lightly pencil in straight lines that can be erased when your poster is complete.
· Letters may be cutout and glued on, or precut letters may be purchased.
· Keep written material to a minimum. Use only headings, captions and signs necessary to tell the story. Use different size lettering for items of varying importance.
· Allow margins to keep things from running together and looking too cluttered.
· Below is a table of letter sizes and their effectiveness:

*Ask your parents, 4-H Leader, or older 4-H member to look at your poster and tell you what they think.

Revise-Re-Do-Rearrange
1. Cut out all your letters, pictures and graphics.
2. Draw guidelines and place or draw in letters.
3. Lay all your pieces of your poster out on the poster board.
4. Ask yourself, “How does it look?”
5. Revise and rearrange as needed. Re-Do anything that should be a different size or color.
6. Move things around until you are happy with the overall effect and message of your poster.
7. Glue everything in place.
9. Remember—NEATNESS COUNTS!