Environment & Healthy Living

Members will learn how to feed, house, train, and show their cavy* project. Learning the parts of the cavy is a big part of the cavy project. For Achievement Day, members must be able to demonstrate proper showmanship skills. Another aspect of the cavy project is Cavy Breeding where members are to, ideally, raise three cavies: two sows and one boar, and to exhibit one sow with her litter (2 1⁄2-5 1⁄2 weeks old) at Achievement Day.

*Cavy, also called Guinea pigs, are rodents belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia.

Members care for one or more goats. Goats need good pasture but often can utilize pasture that might otherwise be wasted. Members should take a Female Kid project or a Butcher Kid project when they first begin in the club. More experienced members may wish to develop a Goat Herd or study pasture conditions in their area and how production can be increased through management practices.

This is an excellent project for 4-H’ers who cannot keep or handle larger animals. A 4-H member can learn feeding, management, breeding, record keeping, and marketing of livestock in less time and with less money invested than with other livestock projects. In this project a member would start by raising two rabbits. They could carry on by raising a number of market animals for home use or sale or they could do a Breeding project with at least five rabbits.

Members will learn the mechanics of their bikes, and how to properly maintain them. Learning the different parts of the bicycle, and being able to point them out is one thing that members will learn to do during this project.

Using the Kids for Saving Earth Guidebook and other resources, the members and leaders take a close look at environmental concerns in their community. The project is self-directed; that is, the club chooses the topics they are most interested in and plan community projects and field trips based on the interests of the members. Members also make an article from recycled materials.

The two primary objectives of the project are to teach 4-H members basic skills in living outdoors and to give them a better understanding and appreciation of the natural resources of British Columbia. Members learn such things as preparing a meal on a tin can stove, basic principles of First Aid, and use of edible wild plants and fruits. How to use a compass, make charts of animal tracks, and wilderness survival are also covered. Agroforestry work plan.

Members will participate at least 2 one-day field study opportunities and will have prepared a visual presentation for achievement on their chosen unit.