4-H Contests and Events

Through 4-H, youth are provided opportunities to develop their unique talents and capabilities. The basis of 4-H is "Learning by Doing." 4-H provides opportunities for both training (learning) and practice (doing). Through this process, young people develop life skills that are relevant now and in the future. Youth who develop life skills become self-directed, productive, contributing citizens.

A variety of 4-H competitions enable 4-H members to practice and perfect the life skills they learn through their projects. Click below for more specific information.

Combined County 4-H Contest Day

Shenandoah County 4-H 2025 County Contest will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, with a snow date of February 8, 2025.

Contests will include Presentations, Public Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Radio Spot, Science Fair and Table Setting Contests. You may enter one or more contest areas.

Cloverbuds may participate as an individual, in a pair, or in a group for the County Table Setting Contest. They may also participate in any other contest as an individual cloverbuds.

County 4-H Contests are offered in-person only.

Registration is due online by Monday, January 13. Click here to register.

Extemporaneous Speech Rules
4-H Extemporaneous Speaking Score Sheet
Radio Spot Rules
Radio / Public Address Score Sheet
Science Display & Demonstation Rules
4-H Science Fair Project / Presentation and Display Score Sheet
4-H Table Setting Contest Score Sheet
4-H Table Setting Official Contest Guide
4-H Presentations Scoring Aid

4-H Public Speaking Contest

This contest held during January allows 4-H'ers to present a speech on any topic. Speeches range from 5 to 7 minutes. Winners can advance to district and state competition. The Shenandoah County 4-H All Stars sponsor this contest and provide awards.

4-H Presentation Contest

This contest held during January features demonstrations and illustrated talks based on the 4-H'ers project work. Presentations can be up to 15 minutes in length. Winners can advance to district and state competition. The Shenandoah County 4-H All Stars sponsor this contest and provide awards.

4-H Share-the-Fun Contest

Share-the-Fun is a talent show for 4-H members which helps them develop poise and confidence in themselves and gives them the chance to learn many aspects of the entertainment field. Categories of competition include: vocal, instrumental, dance, drama, variety, and combination. The show is free and open to the public.

County 4-H Council Easter Egg Hunt

The County 4-H Council plans and sponsors an Easter Egg Hunt for 4-H members.

The Easter Egg Hunt will be on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. It will be held at the Shenandoah County Government Center (Clock Tower Entrance), 600 North Main Street, in Woodstock. Click here to register.

2024 Easter Egg Hunt Flier

District Contest

County winners in Public Speaking, Presentations, and Share-the-Fun are eligible to compete against 4-H'ers from other counties in our district. This contest is held at the end of April each year.

The District Contest will be held on April 13, 2024, at the Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville.

4-H Bike-A-Thon

The Shenandoah County 4-H Bike-A-Thon is a way for 4-H'ers to raise money to attend 4-H camps and activities.

The 41st Annual 4-H Bike-A-Thon will be held on April 28 2024, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Shenandoah County Government Center, 600 North Main Street, Woodstock. Meet at Entrance # 1 (Clock Tower entrance). Registration at 1:00 p.m. Rain date is May 5.

Click here to register.

2024 Bike-A-Thon Packet
Health History Form

June is Dairy Month

The annual June is Dairy Month poster contest follows a set theme that helps promote milk and milk products and their importance to human health. Posters are due in the Shenandoah County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension on June 3.

June is Dairy Month Poster Contest Flier

State 4-H Congress

4-H Congress is the annual statewide premier 4-H event for outstanding 4-H teen and adult volunteer leaders. Its mission is to provide competitive and non-competitive educational experiences to Virginia teens and the adults who work with them, helping them to develop life skills and leadership abilities to become contributing citizens in their communities. Senior members who have won in county level contests are eligible to compete at State Congress, although any senior 4-H'er is eligible to attend.

State 4-H Congress will be held from June 27-30, 2023.