Mission:4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
Parent’s 4-H Pledge
I pledge my HEAD to give my child the information I can, to help him/her see things clearly, and to make wise decisions.
I pledge my HEART to encourage and support my child no matter whether he/she has successes or disappointments.
I pledge my HANDS to help my child’s club; if I cannot be a club leader, I can help in many equally important ways.
I pledge my HEALTH to keep my child strong and well for a better world through 4-H for my child’s club, our community, our country and our world.
Parent Responsibilities
*Familiarize yourself with your child’s 4-H project. Explore the club website, join our group Facebook, read the club emails and communications carefully; stay on top of the club schedule.
*Attend 4-H club meetings and activities as often as possible.
*Encourage your child to attend 4-H meetings and activities as much as possible.
*RSVP promptly, and encourage your child to follow through with commitments.
*Offer to assist the 4-H club leaders with specific tasks.
*Make your interests and talents known to club leaders. You never know when we might need your particular skill – and your talent may open new doors for our kids.
*Stay on top of your child’s project record-keeping.
*Serve as a mentor to a club committee or project whenever possible.
Buena Vista Mavericks101
Our club is overseen by six Certified Leaders; Katy Holditch, Shari Petersen and Jaki Gerald are the Primary Leaders who oversee the club’s overall agenda and schedule; our club’s Resource Leaders are Tracy Zipay, Monique Bontrager and Tammy Mitchelson (pending certification), who work on specific project areas. Parents, please talk and visit with us frequently, keep us posted on your concerns and ideas.
The Executive Committee consists of the Primary Leaders, the club’s elected officers, the chairpersons of each committee (Education; Community Service; Horse Shows/Events; Communication; Fundraising and Entertainment/Recreation), and the HAC representative. Member Leaders have a strong voice in selecting and scheduling clubactivities, and budgeting and allocating club resources. The group meets on a quarterly basis. Club Officers are elected at the end of each year for the upcoming year.
Riding Meetings are the heart and soul of the club; members enjoy their horses with other members, learn new skills, share their skills and have fun! Riding Meetings are held on the First and Third Friday of each month, from 5-7pm. PLEASE come to meetings early to help set up, and stay to help tear down.Horseless activities are also provided for those not able to ride.
Business Meetings are held the first Monday of alternate months, for a total of four per year. The President prepares an agenda with input from club leaders and members to address club concerns and plan club events. Meetings include an educational activity, refreshments, and committee breakouts. Members are encouraged to bring non-perishable food itemsto each meeting as a donation to our host facility, the Kyrene Resource Center, and sparechange for Heifer International, our club’s “charity.”
Each club member chooses a committee, and is encouraged to take on a leadership role on a committee project.Each committee is assigned both a Parent and Leader mentor to help them set and complete goals. Every member is expected to deliver one “Let’s Talk” speech to the group during the year.
Interested Mavericksand parentswill be carpooling toEIEE (Excellence In Equine Education) Meetings, held by the Spirit of Queen Creek 4-H Club on one Monday per month (TBA).
Open Rides are opportunities for shared arena riding time, and are held on various days/times depending on leader and arena availability, either at BVR Arena or JBar Arena.
To be in good standing (eligible for the county finals horse show, scholarships, etc), members must attend at least 75% of Riding and Business Meetings.
All 4-H Horse Members are expected to take a Horse Proficiency test (written and riding) and complete Passports (a record of events attended) and Record Books (a record of each member’s project) each year. Members must bring their proficiency forms and passports to every show, and passports to every event.Our club hosts and attends a good number of Shows, Community Service, Fundraisers, Clinics and EIEE events. Members and parents are encouraged to participate as much as possible. All events are conducted by volunteers.
Please check the list of available Volunteer Opportunities for Mavericks parents and families by clicking theForms link on the About Us page of our website.
Club Communication is frequent and detailed. We do a lot of stuff, and we keep you as informed as you are willing to be. Our website, bvmavericks.org, is constantly updated with events as they are scheduled, and provides valuable links and resources; our interactiveFacebook group is limited to our club members and families; ourFacebook page is public. A detailed email is sent to all members and parents each Tuesday (“Mavericks News”), and we send text blasts before events. PLEASE read each communication thoroughly, and encourage your child to keep you informed on their activities. RSVP promptly (yes or no)when RSVP’s are called for.
Check out the 4-H organization websites and Facebook pages for our area. The state website, at extension.arizona.edu/4h, provides a great deal of information regarding programs, as does the county website, extension.arizona.edu/4h/Maricopa. The state Facebook (Arizona 4-H Youth Development) page gives updates on events and runs frequent contests. The national website, 4-h.org, has a tremendous amount of useful information and links; the national Facebook (4-H, Chevy Chase) provides updates, 4-H news and many contests. You will find links to these and more on the About Us page of our website.
Maricopa County 4-H 101
4-H is a family affair! Did you know that 4-H was originally formed as a means to get information about new farming technology into the hands of farming families? Adults in the farming communities did not readily accept new agricultural discoveries, but educators found that youth would experiment with these new ideas, then share them with the adults and their peers.
Thus was born the “learn by doing” concept of 4-H, along with the focus on leadership and members sharing their experience and knowledge with fellow members. Today’s 4-H is the official youth development organization of the Cooperative Extension Service, administered through the University of Arizona.
4-H clubs are formed according to club interests, or “Projects.” Our club is primarily Horse Project, with Gardening, Poultry and Dog projects also available.
There are more than 50 active Maricopa County 4-H clubs, in projects ranging from Swine to Clogging to Sheep to Robotics; the largest group is Horse, of which there are approximately 10 active clubs.
Local clubs function independently with Certified Leaders using 4-H guidelines to serve their members and parents. County activities, such as Clinics, Horse Shows, EIEE Contests, Fundraisers and Community Service events are either conducted by independent clubs or by the county Horse Advisory Committee.
The Horse Advisory Committee, or HAC, consists of voting representatives - leaders, parents and youth - from county horse clubs. HAC meets on a monthly basis to schedule events submitted by clubs, and to create and schedule events that will be sponsored by HAC. HAC also advises our County Extension Agent (Bryan Chadd) on rules and issues important to members. All events are submitted for approval to the Extension Agent before being placed on the 4-H County Calendar.
COMPETITION, CONTESTS and RECOGNITION
4-H offers many opportunities throughout the year for members to test and assess their skills and knowledge. Recognition is also given to reward those who participate in a variety of activities.
COMPETITION:
Horse Shows. Three 4-H horse shows in each of the five disciplines (English, Western, Sorting, Roping and Gymkhana) will be held this year. The first show of the year in each disciplineis superintended by HAC; other shows are superintended by individual clubs. All shows are run by volunteers. Points are awarded for placings, and Overall High Point and Reserve awards are given at each show.
The County Finals Horse Show is a three-day event in April combining all five disciplines, plus contests in Art, Photography and Program Cover. Riders must complete certain requirements in order to compete at the Finals show.
The 4-H State Horse Show is held in October; Advanced Riders qualify for this show through points accumulated through 4-H shows, and compete against rider from across Arizona.
The ANLS (Arizona National Livestock Show) Horse Show is held in January, and is open to all 4-H and FFA riders in Arizona.
Clubs hosting shows generally earn a profit, and may treat the shows as fundraisers. Income raised by the HAC shows and County Finals goes into the County Scholarship Fund.
We STRONGLY recommend that all parents familiarize themselves with the HorseRulebook.Information and Links to all of the above are available on the About Us page of our website.
CONTESTS
Excellence in Equine Education (EIEE). There are five EIEE events, which are knowledge and public speaking contests. Overall High Point and Reserve awards are given each year in three categories: 9-11, 12-13, and 14+ (seniors). Additionally, seniors have the opportunity to advance to the 4-H Western National Round-Up competitions held each year in Denver in January.
More information about these events can be found towards the back of the Horse Rulebook.
JUDGING: this is a statewide contest, and is held at the State Horse Show in October. The top senior placers are eligible to be on the Judging Team for Denver.
HORSE BOWL:similar to “Jeopardy” with horse knowledge. County contest held in January at the County Extension Office, along with Demonstration.
DEMONSTRATION: a demonstration or illustrated talk about the horse industry. Length varies by age group.
SPEECH: a speech not using visual aids about the horse industry. Length varies by age group. Contest held in March at the County Extension Office, along with Hippology.
HIPPOLOGY: Contestants are presented with a variety of situations/questions pertaining to the horse industry, including a written test, station phase, judging and problem solving.
Maricopa County Fair: members with interests ranging from arts and crafts to photography are encouraged to create exhibits for the 4-H division of the Fair. Our club also creates a Scrapbook which we exhibit at the County Fair.
Contests for photography, art and writing are offered frequently through the state and national 4-H websites and Facebook pages.
RECOGNITION
Members are expected to complete a participation Passport and submit a Record Book each year. Awards are given to those that meet qualifications noted on the back of the passport; Record Books are scored according to a rubric, and awards are given based on those scores. In addition, Seniors may submit their Record Books for consideration for National 4-H Congress.
Passport Awards and other project awards are given at the County Horse Awards, usually held in September; Record Book Awards and other outstanding member awards are given at the County Leadership Awards, usually held in November.
Mavericks’ members receive special awards and recognition at our End of Year Party.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Buena Vista Mavericks offer scholarships to reward our members’ participation and efforts. Each rider qualified for the State Horse Show and County Finals Horse Show will receive a certain amount towards their sponsorship/entry fees (determined by the Executive Committee); graduating Seniors receive a $50 Book Scholarship; qualifiers for the 4-H Western National Roundup, and delegates to 4-H National Congress receive $50 towards expenses.
Summer Activity Scholarships are available from HAC to those attending 4-H camps.
Maricopa County 4-H/HAC awards scholarships to College Bound Seniors and Roundup participants.
The Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation awards thousands of dollars in college scholarships.
Scholarships are also available through ANLS and the Maricopa County Fair. Visit their websites for more information.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
The county hosts several Community Service Events throughout the year; more information about each event can be found on our website Events page or Calendar, or the county website.
“Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat” is a food drive held in October. Mavericks plan several activities for this event, including bag stapling, distribution, food collection and delivery.
“Agriculture Literacy Days” takes place in mid-November, when 4-Hers educate about farming by reading books provided by the County to schoolchildren in grades 1-3.
“Operation: Soldier’s Boxers” – from December 1 to January 15, fun and colorful boxer shorts are collected to send to the military in time for Valentine’s Day.
“Community Service Lock-In” is held in early December, and is a sleepover “24 hours of Community Service” at the County Extension Office.
“Copper for Cooperation” – runs January 1-September, pennies are collected by clubs, and handed in at the County Lock-In, where participants determine what the monies will purchase from Heifer International.
“Movin’ On” – suitcases are collected through the end of September to be stuffed with women’s items at the Lock-In, and taken to Women’s Shelters.
“4-H Cards for Cancer” – held in July, 4-Hers create cards to be delivered children being treated for cancer in area hospitals.
“Pack to School” July 1-August 1, school supplies are collected to be donated to kids in need.
REVOLUTION of RESPONSIBILITY
This is a National 4-H leadership initiative which encourages clubs and individuals to seek out and fill needs in their community, and communicate their projects to 4-H. The Buena Vista Mavericks participated with our “Feeding Green” project. More information is available on 4h.org.
STATE AND NATIONAL CAMPS and EVENTS
More information can be found through links on our website, and on the state website.
JOLT – Journey of Opportunity for Leaders of Tomorrow. State Teen Leadership camp, age 14+, held in June.
Camp YuPiCopa – environmental camp offered for the younger set; campers age 9-12, counselor opportunities available for 13+. Held at the 4-H James Camp on Mingus Mountain in July, campers from Yuma, Pima and Maricopa counties.
Pima County Horse Camp – weeklong horse and rider training, held in June in Sonoita, ages 9 to 19, offered to 4-Hers and non-4-Hers.
4-H Western National Roundup – “EIEE National Championships,” held in Denver in January. Maricopa County and Arizona 4-H provide some funding for registration and travel.
4-H National Congress – highest honor for 4-H members, held in Atlanta in November. Delegates are selected by the quality of their 4-H participation, as demonstrated by their record books. Arizona 4-H contributes $900 towards the $1300 cost.
Citizenship Washington Focus, National 4-H Conference – leadership events currently not available to Maricopa County members, but stay tuned. Fully member funded.
4-H International Exchange - 4-Hers have the opportunity to visit other countries, and host students from other countries.
4-H Fan’s Pledge
We Pledge to:
GUIDE our member down the 4-H road no matter how bumpy.
LIFT them up to meet the challenges along the way
LEAD by example…by being a good sport
SUPPORT in actions not just words
SHARE our skills, knowledge and talents to
SHOW “how to,” but not do the project!
CHEER at home, during club meetings and in the 4-H stands,
APPLAUD the effort, progress and achievements
EASE the pain of disappointment,
ENCOURAGE through focus on fun, friends and learning to “Make the Best Better”
SHOUT how 4-H is our Family’s Affair
HELP others catch the 4-H Spirit and join us as a 4-H FAN!