What is County Activity Day?
County Activity Day is a 4-H presentation and public speaking competition where youth present information on a topic of their choice. Presentations are a cornerstone of North Carolina 4-H and are designed to help youth build confidence, communication skills, and leadership abilities. Participants teach others about a subject they are passionate about, gaining valuable experience in public speaking while sharing their knowledge with peers.The Progression: County, District, and State
- County Activity Day: The first level of competition, held locally. Youth showcase their presentation skills in a supportive environment.
- District Activity Day: The top two youth in each age division and each presentation category from County Activity Day advance to District. At District, participants present alongside youth from across the region.
- State Presentation Finals: District winners move on to the state level, presenting at 4-H State Congress. This is the highest level of the presentation program and represents the best across North Carolina.
Common Presentation Styles
- Demonstration: Showing how something is done or made, resulting in a finished product.
- Illustrated Talk: Explaining a process or idea using visuals such as posters, charts, pictures, or models.
- Formal Speech: Sharing information on a topic without visuals, props, or materials.
Benefits of Participating
- Develops strong public speaking and communication skills
- Builds self-confidence and poise
- Strengthens research and organizational skills
- Provides opportunities for recognition at county, district, and state levels
- Enhances resumes, scholarship applications, and leadership experiences
Presentation Categories
Youth may choose from a wide variety of categories, including but not limited to:- Animal Science (Livestock, Horse, Poultry, Small Animals, Dairy Production)
- Citizenship & Civic Education
- Communication & Expressive Arts (Public Speaking, Arts, Digital Reality)
- Family & Consumer Sciences (Foods & Nutrition, Hospitality, Safety)
- Healthy Lifestyles (Fitness, Health, Food Prep & Grilling Competitions)
- Environmental Science (Forestry, Fisheries, Soil & Water, Wildlife, Entomology)
- Personal Development & Careers
- Plant Science & Horticulture
- Science & Technology (Agriculture Science, Electric, Wheels & Engines)
- Open
Rules & Guidelines
- Age Divisions:
- Cloverbud: 5–7 years (non-competitive, exhibition only)
- Junior: 8–10 years
- Intermediate: 11–13 years
- Senior: 14–18 years
- Time Limits: Most categories require 5–12 minutes; Public Speaking is 5–7 minutes; other special categories (such as grilling) may have longer requirements.
- Presentations may be repeated from year to year, though youth are encouraged to improve or revise for personal growth.
- Some categories require demonstrations with a finished product.
- Team presentations must include two members unless otherwise stated. Teams with different ages must compete in the oldest member’s division.
How to Get Involved
- All youth must be enrolled and approved in 4-H Online to participate.
- Topics must be registered in advance through 4-H Online.
- Workshops and practice opportunities are available to help youth prepare.
Learn More
For details about presentation categories, rules, and tips for success, visit the NC State 4-H Presentations Webpage or contact Union County 4-H.Contact:
Autumn Baucom, 4-H Agent
Email: aebaucom@ncsu.edu
