1. Programs

4-H Youth Development

Credit: Amanda Loman (Cropped from original)
Menu [4-H Youth Development]

Communication projects

Do you talk to friends? Take part in a school play? Write reports? Read books? Share your own photos and videos from your smart phone? If you do, you’re communicating! The world of communication impacts you every day. By participating in the 4-H Communication project, you will explore the exciting world of communication, and learn more about yourself and others.

  • Learn written, oral, and visual communication skills
  • Develop self-confidence through public presentations
  • Practice self-expression and creativity
  • Learn how to organize and present information

Communications is open to all members enrolled in 4-H. It can be taken as a project or can be used in conjunction with any other project. There are three project area with in the communication arena: Presentations, Educational Displays and Videography. Some counties may have additional opportunities in Communications such as journalism, Junior Toastmasters, or others.

Presentations

A presentation is a way to share information with others, to teach what you know or have learned. While there are many types of presentations, 4-H materials concentrate on these four: demonstrations, illustrated talks, public speeches, and impromptu speeches. Use the following resources to help you prepare your own presentation to give to your club, at school, in the community, or at a contest.

Educational Displays

An educational display is a visual presentation of information. Displays are exhibited on their own without the 4-H member present. A good display will catch the viewer’s attention, arouse interest, stimulate thought, and motivate the viewer to learn more about the subject.

You may exhibit a display at your county contest. Top displays may advance to the State Fair competition.

  • Educational Displays: An educational display is a visual presentation of information and should be able to convey information without a 4-H member present. This resource contains information on how to achieve a good display that will catch the viewer’s attention, arouse interest, stimulate thought, and motivate the viewer to learn more about the subject.
  • How to Create an Educational Display: These videos are a great resource on how to choose a subject and title and how to design your educational display.

Helpful Videos about Educational Displays

Videography

Videography is the making of videos or movies. It is a way to communicate a message through the thoughts and creativity of one person or a team of people. The following resources will give some background and basic information to get started in making a video.

  • Making a Video: Videography is the process of producing a video or movie in order to communicate creativity and thoughts to a wide audience. This resource explains the steps on producing a video.
  • Video Postproduction: This is a great resource to help you stay organized when editing your video into a finished product.
  • Video Preproduction: A great video starts with a great plan. Use this resource to help guide you in the preproduction stage.
  • Video Production: Now the fun part - shooting your video! Read this resource to make sure you are prepared!
  • Videography Exhibitor's Handbook: Updated April 2023. State Fair Book

Additional Materials and Resources

  • Portraits of Oregon: Youth Exploring Culture and Community Kit focuses on documentaries (available for checkout from the state 4-H office)
  • The Virtual 4-H Filmmaking Studio & Workshop has lots of online instruction and examples.
  • This website is listed for educational purposes and does constitute endorsement of any products they sell. Additional commercial and informational sites may be found by using "making videos", "kids making videos" or similar words in a web search engine.
  • Kids'Vid is an educational website providing basic instruction and an online storyboard tool. There are examples of several types of videos including animation in the theatre section.

Creative Writing

Creative writing is writing that expresses ideas and thoughts in an imaginative way. The writer gets to express feelings and emotions instead of just presenting the facts.

Was this page helpful?