Wanted...Adventurous Youth

Last seen skateboarding down Main Street, shopping at the mall, meeting with their 4-H Club, at the high school basketball game, and playing video games with friends, we are in hot pursuit of all youth between the ages of 9 and 14 who possess an adventurous spirit, enjoy the outdoors, and are up for an exciting challenge! Join us for the Texas 4-H Conference Center’s Adventure Treks 2010!

The Adventure Treks are a great opportunity for youth to learn about conservation and minimum impact use of natural resources, develop their teambuilding and leadership skills, and best of all, go on a fun and action packed outdoor adventure with other youth from across Texas! These week-long outdoor adventures require the participant to have neither previous outdoor experience nor any equipment; all the essentials and necessary training are provided!

The basic thrust of the program is built around the National Outdoor Leadership School’s “Leave No Trace” Curriculum. This curriculum is designed to provide progressive learning and adventure challenge to help participants develop a true love of, and comfort in, the outdoor world, as well as learn and practice concepts and skills of minimum impact use. Adventure Trek guides (instructors) strive to instill in participants a sense of responsibility for self, others, and the world around them through hands on activities and learning experiences. Program topics include: Teambuilding, Leadership Development, Overnight Trip Planning, Backpacking & Minimum Impact Camping, Kayaking & Boater Safety, Survival Skills, Wildlife & Plant Identification, Aquatic & Terrestrial Ecology, Outdoor Cooking & Food Safety, Orienteering, and much MORE!!

Again in 2010, we will be offering the "Assistant Trek Guides" Program for returning participants! To qualify as an Assistant Trek Guide, participants must: meet all requirements to be a trek participant—with the exception of maximum age, have successfully completed a previous trek, and be willing to assume some leadership and directed teaching responsibilities. For 2010, two Assistant Trek Guide positions will be available for each trek. Assistant Trek Guides will be offered a reduced cost, and positions will be filled on a first come first serve basis, subject to approval by the Lead Trek Guide. **Note: Assistant Trek Guides may be over the age of 14.

Adventure Treks are open to ANY youth age 9-14. 4-H membership is NOT required to be eligible to participate.

A new adventure at a different destination is offered each year! Several of the past years’ adventures have included: “Colorado Bend Kayaking Adventure”, “Fishing the Watershed of Texas” Colorado River Basin, “The Great South Llano Adventure”, and “Far West Adventure” Exploring the Magnificence of Far West Texas.

Exciting plans are in the works for 2010!! Keep an eye on your inbox and check the 4-H Center website frequently for the announcement of this year’s destination and itinerary. Space is limited! A maximum of 14 youth will be selected on a first come first serve basis to participate in each of the Adventure Treks.

For more information about the Adventure Treks program, please visit the Texas 4-H Conference Center website at http://texas4h-ctr.tamu.edu or contact:

Laci Chapman, Lead Trek Guide

Program Director, Texas 4-H Conference Center

rlchapman@ag.tamu.edu

Phone: 325-784-5482

Charolais Association of Texas - Calf Donation Program

The Charolais Association of Texas has a program that donates Charolais calves to individuals who've never owned a registered Charolais, for the purpose of showing as a project. Applications are being accepted and the deadline has been extended to December 21, 2009. The link to the program and application is http://www.charolaisassociation.com/odbutler.html. We ask that you relay this information to your youth and encourage them to complete the application if they qualify. Remember, all applications must be postmarked by December 21, 2009.

Summer Program Assistant Positon at the National 4-H Center

Looking for youth with a high school diploma/preferably some college experience.

Do you know a 4-H'er who has a passion for government, history, political science, working with youth, public speaking, or leadership? If so, encourage them to apply for the position of Program Assistant (PA) at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center! Application deadlines are approaching soon and we want to give 4-H alumni and Collegiate 4-Hers an opportunity to make a difference during their spring or summer semester. Our PAs will be touching the lives of thousands of high school-aged students from all over the United States while working for the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) program in Washington, DC.
CWF gives 4-Hers the opportunity to strengthen their communication, leadership, and other citizenship skills on a national level. Nearly 2,000 young people exchange ideas, practice respect, and form friendships with other youth from diverse backgrounds throughout the summer. Through hands-on activities, simulations, and tours of various monuments and memorials, participants figure out what citizenship means to them and develop action plans to make a difference in their home communities. As a CWF Program Assistant, these 4-H leaders will create, develop, and facilitate curriculum to be used during the 2010 program.
We are looking for individuals with at least a high school diploma (preferably some college experience) and a passion for youth development, hospitality, teaching, history, politics, or leadership. If you know a college student looking for credit towards graduation, National 4-H Council will happily work with the student and the school to make this possible. Listed below is the link for information and application materials.

Citizenship Washington Focus Program Assistant:
Application due January 18, 2010
http://www.citizenshipwashingtonfocus.org/programassistant.aspx

For more information please contact:
Molly Young Freeman Thompson
Director, Youth Opportunities Coordinator, Youth Opportunities
myoung@4HCenter.org fthompson@4HCenter.org
301-961-2812 301-961-2917

SALE Youth Day Activities

Saturday, February 6, 2010
Photography Contest and Fashion Show at the San Antonio Livestock Show
Booths will also be setup by clubs and groups to showcase their interests and project work. If your club would like to set up a booth, please contact Cory for further discussion.

Please Check out the flyers at www.travis4h.com (look under the upcoming events folder)
Entry list will be due to Cory Talley at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu by January 19, 2010

Please email Cory if you have questions!

Photography Contest

If you enjoy taking photos and would like to receive recognition for your work, take the time to enter the Photography Contest. Each 4-H member is eligible to submit 4 (four) photographs to be judged. Each member may also submit a creative display (a one page (size - 12"x12") with pictures and embellishments). 4-H'ers may only submit 1 (one) creative display project.

4-H'ers may submit any number of photos for the county contest, but must designate the four photos they would like judged at the district contest. There is no charge for the county contest, but there is a $5.00 charge for the district contest. To be eligible to compete at the district contest, youth must register via 4-H Connect to be considered for judging. Registration will be open March 1- 15, 2010.

Photos must be submitted to the County Extension Office by Thursday, March 4, 2010. To view the divisions and classes, please check out the flyer at www.travis4h.com. Each photo must also have the label attached to the back on the photos. Photos may be in color or black and white and must be 8"x10" mounted on black or white foam board of 8"x10".

Please check out the www.travis4h.com website for the label and classes/divisions.

San Antoni Livestock Show School Tours

If you are interested in serving as a School Tour Guide for the San Antonio Livestock Show, please review the dates below and let Cory know by December 10 ,2009 at noon. Please look closely at the schedule and make sure that the date you choose does not conflict with a show date, time or anything else. Once you commit, you have committed and will be expected to carry out the duty on the day you signed up for. You are committing from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on that day.

2010 Tour Dates – Week 1
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010

2010 Tour Dates – Week 2
Monday, February 15, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
No Tours on Thursday, February 18, 2010
No Tours on Friday, February 19, 2010

If you have any questions, please let Cory know. cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu

Teen Retreat at the Texas 4-H Conference Center

Howdy! The Texas 4-H Conference Center is pleased to announce plans for the first event of 2010. The Texas Teen Retreat to be held January 8-10, 2010 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center! This retreat will be an excellent opportunity for senior 4-H members ages 13-19 to learn numerous basic personal skills and leadership techniques. Our unique theme this year is “Fasten Your Seat Belts... 4-H is FUN!” a look at the new Recreation Handbook. Participants will see, learn, and get some practice leading recreation activities for any and all age groups! Teen Retreat participants will be equipped to return to their counties and lead activities with afterschool programs, 4-H clubs, Youth Boards, and more!

Registration is being conducted via 4-H Connect. The cost of this event is $120.00. Travis 4-H will pay half of the registration fee, only after you have paid for the event in full and attended the event. New additional sponsor - of the $60.00 remaining fee you will pay, due to a gracious sponsor, you will now only have to pay $30. For youth who attend. $90.00 will be refunded to each participant upon returning from the trip. If interested in this event and would like more information, please talk with Cory via email at cmtalley@ag.tamu.edu or by phone at 512-854-9600. Need to register via 4-H Connect by December 28, 2009.