The Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Ohio State University Licking County 4-H Extension Office are excited to partner on a new project — the Animal Adventures program, coming to the Hartford Independent Fair in the summer of 2023.
What is Animal Adventures?
Animal Adventures is part of a statewide, 4-H initiative to connect young people with disabilities, who also have a love for animals, with
opportunities to get involved with local 4-H programs.
Through Animal Adventures, participants with disabilities will be paired with 4-H mentors to learn about an animal of their choice. After a Meet and Greet, they will work together to exhibit or “show” the animal during a new show at the Hartford Fairgrounds, held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6 at the B. Carr Pavilion.
For the first year in Licking County, the Animal Adventures program will welcome youth, ages 8 to 18. Participants do not have to be supported by the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities and may reside in any of the counties that are part of the Hartford Fair’s district.
How can I participate?
Those interested must register through Licking County 4-H to participate in Animal Adventures, starting May 1.
Registration will include:
• Selecting your preferred animal species.
• Providing information about yourself so you can be matched with a mentor.
• Sharing a photo for our show program.
Once participants are matched with a mentor, they will be expected to participate in one Meet and Greet, as well as the Aug. 6 show. Meet and Greet dates will be:
• Meet and Greet- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 8
• Meet and Greet- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 18
Participants must attend ONE of the Meet and Greet sessions and plan to stay the entire time, so they can get to know their mentor. They can attend both if they’d like. Information will be communicated about their animal as well as how to prepare/dress for the fair show.
Feel free to invite family and friends to the show on Aug. 6 to cheer you on! Each participant will receive a t-shirt and an award, made possible through sponsorship by the Licking County Farm Bureau. There will also be professional photographs taken throughout the show, that will be available on the LCBDD social media pages.
If I Iiked Animal Adventures, can I join a 4-H club?
YES! There will be information about joining local clubs at the show. If you don’t live in a place where you could
participate in an animal project, don’t worry! There are plenty of projects and activities for everyone’s interests. 4-H has recently introduced a new program called Winning 4-H, to help people with disabilities communicate with their club leaders, so they know the best way to help them succeed.