Welcome to Union County 4-H County Activity Day!

On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about County Activity Day, including:

• What is County Activity Day? – A quick overview of the event

• Who Can Participate? – Age groups and eligibility

• How Does It Work? – Step-by-step guide to the event day

• Rules and Important Information – What to know before you present

• Advancement Opportunities – How youth can qualify for District and State

• Awards and Recognition – How participants are celebrated

• Quick Q&A – Common questions answered

• What Topics Can Youth Present? – Full list of presentation categories

4-H County Activity Day in Union County is an exciting opportunity for youth to showcase their public speaking and presentation skills. Sometimes referred to as “Presentation Day” or simply “Presentations,” this event encourages participants to research a topic they are passionate about, organize their ideas, and present them to a panel of judges and an audience. County Activity Day helps youth build confidence, develop communication skills, and deepen their knowledge in areas of interest, all while having fun and connecting with others.

Who Can Participate?

County Activity Day is open to any Union County 4-H member ages 5–18 who is enrolled and approved in 4-H Online. Age is determined as of January 1 of the current year. Cloverbuds (ages 5–7) participate non-competitively and receive recognition for their efforts. Youth ages 8–10 (Junior Division), 11–13 (Intermediate Division), and 14–18 (Senior Division) compete within their respective age groups. Participants must be 8 years old by January 1 to compete and must not have turned 19 before January 1.

How Does It Work?

Participants begin by selecting a topic. They then prepare a presentation, which can be a demonstration, illustrated talk, or formal speech, depending on the chosen category.​

On the day of the event, youth are grouped into rooms based on their presentation topics. Presentations are delivered in age order, with younger participants presenting first. Each presentation is given in person to a panel of judges who evaluate the content and delivery. After all presentations are completed, participants receive ribbons recognizing their achievements.

Advancement Opportunities

Youth who a blue ribbon at County Activity Day may qualify for District Activity Day. District GOLD and SILVER winners at the 11–13 and 14–18 age levels will be eligible to advance to State Presentation Finals at 4-H Congress.

Awards and Recognition

All County Activity Day participants receive a County Winner ribbon. At District Activity Day, participants receive a participation ribbon, and gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in each category and age group. State-level winners receive monetary awards for many categories, but the amount varies depending on sponsorship availability. To receive a monetary award, the 4-H’er must present and compete at State Finals. Selected top talent acts from 4-H Entertains may be invited to perform at the State 4-H Entertains program.

Why Participate in County Activity Day?

County Activity Day is a wonderful way for youth to practice essential life skills in a supportive environment. Participants learn how to research, organize, and deliver information effectively, building confidence that will serve them in school, future careers, and everyday life. It’s also a fun and exciting event where youth can share their interests, meet new friends, and celebrate their hard work and passions.

Whether your child is new to public speaking or already loves the spotlight, Union County 4-H County Activity Day is a valuable, rewarding, and fun experience that helps them grow and shine!

Presentation Rules

• Age Divisions: Participants are categorized into age groups: 5-7, 8–10, 11–13, and 14–18.​

• Presentation Length: General presentations should be between 5 and 12 minutes. Public Speaking presentations are expected to be 5–7 minutes. Specific categories, such as Horse and Outdoor Cookery, have their own time requirements.​

• Team Presentations: Teams consist of two individuals. If team members are in different age divisions, they must compete in the older division.​

• Participation Limits: Participants may compete in only one presentation category per year.​

• Content Restrictions: Live animals, firearms, and weapons or anything resembling these are not allowed during presentations.

• Originality: Participants may continue to compete in a presentation category until declared a state gold winner. The same presentation may be repeated from one year to the next, but it’s encouraged to revise and improve for personal development.​

• Presentation Delivery: All presentations must be delivered in person and cannot be pre-recorded, except for very short inserts to demonstrate something that can’t be shown during the presentation (e.g., serving a volleyball, a robot driving over a course).

Quick Q&A About Union County 4-H County Activity Day

Q: What if my child has never done a presentation before?
A: That’s perfectly okay! County Activity Day is a supportive environment where youth of all experience levels are encouraged to participate. Many first-time presenters find it’s a great way to build confidence, and judges focus on encouragement and growth.

Q: Does my child have to memorize their presentation?
A: No, memorization is not required. Youth can use note cards, posters, or visual aids to help guide their presentation. The goal is to be prepared and confident, not perfect!

Q: What happens if my child is nervous on the day of the event?
A: It’s normal to be nervous. Volunteers and 4-H staff are there to support participants. Everyone is encouraged to do their best, and taking a deep breath, smiling, and remembering it’s a learning experience goes a long way.

Q: How are youth grouped for presenting?
A: Youth are sorted into rooms based on their topic area. Within those rooms, younger participants (8–10) usually present first, followed by older youth. This helps the day run smoothly and gives younger participants a little extra support.

Q: Do Cloverbuds (ages 5–7) compete?
A: No, Cloverbuds participate non-competitively. They still present and receive special recognition for their hard work, but they are not ranked against each other.

Q: Can parents watch the presentations?
A: Yes! Parents, family members, and supporters are welcome to attend and watch presentations, as long as they are respectful of all participants.

Q: How are winners recognized?
A: All participants receive a ribbon at County Activity Day. Top presenters in each category and age group may qualify to move on to District Activity Day and beyond. District winners receive medals, and some categories offer opportunities for state-level competition and scholarships.

Q: What if my child can’t decide on a topic?
A: Encourage them to pick something they love or something they want to learn more about! 4-H staff are also happy to help brainstorm ideas based on their interests.

Q: Are all presentations in person?
A: Yes. All youth must deliver their presentations in person at the event. (Short video clips may be used only to demonstrate something that cannot be shown live.)

What Topics Can Youth Present?

Participants select a topic to present based on broad presentation categories.
Each category includes a wide variety of ideas, and youth are encouraged to choose a specific topic they are passionate about within the category.

Beside each category, we have provided examples of possible presentation ideas. These examples are just suggestions to help spark creativity — youth are not limited to these specific ideas. As long as their topic fits within the overall category, they are encouraged to choose something they are excited about and passionate to share!

Animal Science

• Horse: Care of Mare and Foal, Poisonous Plants, How to Bandage a Horse, How to Determine the Horse’s Age, and Important Points in Buying a Horse.
• Horse Public Speaking: Balancing a Horse Ration, Horse Psychology, History of Quarter Horses, and Tips for Showmanship.
• Livestock and Dairy Production: Animal Rights/Welfare, How to Take Livestock Photos and Foot Care Trimming.
• Poultry Production and/or Preparation: Raising Backyard Chickens, How to Grade Eggs, Safe Handling of Poultry Meat.
• Small and Companion Animals: Pet First Aid Basics, How to Care for a Pet Rabbit, Choosing the Right Companion Animal.

Citizenship & Civic Education

• Citizenship/Community Service: Organizing a Community Clean-Up Day, How Youth Can Make a Difference Locally, Volunteering at Animal Shelters.

Communication & Expressive Arts

• NC 4-H Talent Showcase: Playing the Violin, Performing a Comedy Skit, Singing a Solo.
• Arts & Communications: Creating a 4-H Club Newsletter, Basics of Photography Composition, Public Speaking 101.
• Digital Reality: Building a Basic Website, How to Create a Promotional Video, Using Apps for Project Management.
• Public Speaking: The Importance of Volunteerism, How 4-H Shapes Future Leaders, The Power of Positivity.

Family & Consumer Sciences

• Family & Consumer Sciences: How to Plan a Balanced Meal, The Basics of Sewing, Budgeting Tips for Teens.
• Hospitality, Etiquette, and Social Graces: Proper Table Settings, How to Write a Thank You Note, Hosting a Guest Politely.

Environmental Science

• Entomology: Life Cycle of a Butterfly, Beneficial Insects in the Garden, How to Build a Bee Hotel.
• Environmental Science (Soil & Water): Preventing Soil Erosion, How Wetlands Protect Communities, Understanding the Water Cycle.
• Fisheries & Aquatic Resources: How to Set Up a Freshwater Aquarium, Importance of Clean Rivers, Basic Fishing Skills.
• Forestry and Wildlife: How to Identify Common Trees, Careers in Forestry, Protecting Endangered Wildlife.

Healthy Lifestyles

• Agricultural Safety and Health: Safe Tractor Operation, Sun Safety on the Farm, ATV Safety Basics.
• Dairy Foods: How to Make Homemade Yogurt, The Benefits of Dairy in Your Diet, Safe Handling of Milk Products.
• Egg Cookery: How to Make Deviled Eggs, The Science Behind Cooking Eggs, Egg Safety from Farm to Table.
• Fruit & Vegetable Use: Easy Recipes with Seasonal Produce, How to Store Fresh Vegetables, The Benefits of Eating Colorful Foods.
• Foods & Nutrition: Healthy Snacks for Kids, Reading a Nutrition Label, How to Pack a Balanced Lunch.
• Health and Fitness: Benefits of Daily Exercise, How to Build a Fitness Routine, Managing Stress Through Healthy Habits.
• Peanut Foods: Making Peanut Butter Energy Balls, Cooking with Peanuts Around the World, The History of Peanuts in North Carolina.
• Safety: Fire Safety in the Home, Internet Safety for Youth, Basic First Aid Every Teen Should Know.

*Outdoor Cookery located under its own heading

Personal Development

• Open Class
• Careers & Entrepreneurship: How to Start a Lawn Care Business, Careers in Veterinary Medicine, The Basics of Entrepreneurship.

Plant Science

• Horticultural Science: How to Grow a Container Garden, Basics of Composting, Pollinator-Friendly Gardening.

Science & Technology

• Agriculture Science: How Cotton is Grown and Harvested, The Importance of Soil Testing, Innovations in Modern Farming.
• Wheels and Engines: How an Engine Works, Basic Maintenance for Small Engines, Safety Tips for Riding ATVs.
• Electric: Building a Simple Circuit, How Electricity Gets to Your Home, Careers in Electrical Engineering.
• Science & Technology: How 3D Printing Works, Introduction to Drones, Building a Simple Robot.

Outdoor Cookery Competition

Competition categories

• Beef Grilling
• Chicken Grilling
• Pork Grilling
• Seafood Grilling
• Turkey Grilling