You never know when a new youth member may become much more involved in club happenings along with a supportive parent. Not all childhood hobbies can be actively shared with parents like rabbit showing. Many childhood sports are watched by parents from the sidelines. Parents can share in the rabbit keeping duties and enjoy the animals as much as the kids do. At the shows, parents can hear and see all that their child's experiences right at the show table. No sitting off somewhere in the bleachers straining to hear coaches comments and feedback. Their animals will be judged, not the kid's. No worries of their athletic abilities or the lack thereof. No sitting on the sidelines waiting for their chance to play. They get to "play" every time they show.
Giving a free club membership to a 4H member can help them connect with a group, larger than their own, with lots of rabbit knowledge to share. There are very few rabbit 4H clubs in Maine, they are mostly off-shoots of horse or farm animal 4H clubs. Rabbits may be very new to the parents and 4H leaders alike. The knowledge base may just not be there. Having a 4H member linked to a regular rabbit club will provide them with a network of people to go to for advice and to answer questions.
Kids don't have to be members of a 4H club to show rabbits, there is a Youth division at each show. Their rabbit has to be a good example of the breed, no crossbreds. Each breed has a Standard of Perfection that allots points for various characteristics which the judging is based upon. The rabbits do not have to have a pedigree to be shown. Eastern Maine RBA's show will be Saturday, April 26th in Newport, Maine. Obtain a show catalog as a pre-entry the week before is required to show. Rabbit must also be tattooed.
FMI contact EMRBA club secretary Lauren at: [email protected]