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Safety Policy for Mini 4-H Members
The safety and well
being of our 4-H youth is of the utmost importance. Although first
grade is specified as the time when a child may begin participation in
some 4-H events and activities, parents are encouraged to take into
consideration their child’s physical and mental development before
agreeing to let the child begin to show, work with, or care for animals.
Each child matures at a different rate, and children in grades 1-2 may
still be too young to begin showing, working with, or caring for
animals.
The State 4-H Youth
Program at Purdue University has agreed to allow Mini 4-H members in
grades 1-2, to participate in some animal projects subject to certain
conditions. These conditions are specified below. Each county may
determine its own programs, classes, and participation requirements
subject to the following safety guidelines:
“Mini 4-H members, in
grades 1 and 2, will be allowed to show, work with, or care for animal
projects after their parent or legal guardian has signed a liability
release. Mini 4-H members may independently show, work with, or care for
animals that weigh 300 pounds or less. Mini 4-H members may only show,
work with, or care for animals over 300 pounds when they are assisted by
a parent, legal guardian, or another adult designated in writing
by parent or legal guardian.” (The word assisted means that the adult
has control of the animal at all times.)
Mini 4-H members
exhibiting horses must wear ASTM or SEI standard F1163 (or above)
certified helmets whenever mounted. The 4-H member is responsible to
see that this specified headgear is properly fitted with the approved
harness in place and fastened whenever a rider is mounted.
If the
guidelines stated in this policy are not followed for a particular event
or activity, then such event or activity shall not be considered to be a
4-H event or activity and shall not be under the auspices of Extension
4-H educators or covered by Purdue University.
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