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DATES TO REMEMBER

April

16 – Brookesmith 4-H Club Meeting 5:30p.m. Brookesmith ISD

18 – Shooting Sports Meeting 6:30p.m. at Extension Office

4-H HORSE VALIDATION – MARCH 1st TO MAY 1st

Validation is required for showing at district or state horse shows, and its purpose is to certify that ownership requirements have been met. The horse MUST be owned solely by the 4-H member, his/her parents (biological or stepparents), brother, sister, grandparents, or legal guardian. Horses under lease to, but not owned by any of the named persons, do NOT qualify. Horses owned in partnership or jointly with any person other than those previously listed do NOT meet ownership requirements. The horse validation process will be completed electronically using the 4-H Connect online management system.

All 4-H members who wish to show at their District Show or the State 4-H Horse Show will be REQUIRED to validate their horse(s) on the 4-H Connect system. Horse validation is completed for EACH HORSE and will cover all 4-H youth members in that family profile. When validating your horse(s) on 4-H Connect, you will select ONLY ONE 4-H youth member to conduct the validation under. Once a horse is validated, validation paid, and you begin registering for the District Horse Show, the validated horse(s) can be moved to the appropriate 4-H member(s) that will be exhibiting the horse in the show.

Validation will be open from March 1st to MAY 1st. Any horse validated before or after this date will NOT be accepted. An illustrated step-by-step instruction guide for families is available for download and reference on both the Texas 4-H website (http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/) and the Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science – Equine Science website (http://animalscience.tamu.edu/academics/equine/state-4h-show/). Validation cost for each horse is $10.00 from March 1st – April 15th. From April 16th – May 1st validation cost for each horse is $20.00. Credit Card will be the only acceptable form of payment. If you have any questions please contact Nick Gonzales at the Extension Office.

BROWN COUNTY FAIR CHECKS

The checks for the Brown County Youth Fair are available for you to pick up at the Extension Office if you showed under 4-H. If you put your goat or lamb on the truck at the Youth Fair the truck checks are also available for you to pick up. A thank you letter should be written to each buyer who contributed towards your project. Make sure that it is stamped and addressed and turned in to the Extension Office! You will not receive your check until we receive your thank you letters. Hand written “thank you” letters are best but, depending on your personality and penmanship a typed letter can also be appropriate. Thank each person individually, don’t try and thank a group of people in one letter. Checks are voided 90 days after the date issued on the check.

MAJOR STOCK SHOW CHECKS

We have received truck and placing checks from Fort Worth Stock Show and only truck checks from San Antonio. If you participated in these major stock shows and placed in your class or put your animal on the truck please come by the office to pick up your check. If you have any questions please contact Nick Gonzales

LET’S GO CAMPING 2013!

Be part of the fun this summer with your friends at the Texas 4-H Conference Center! Sign up and experience hands-on adventures on Lake Brownwood!

To register, go to: Texas4Hcenter.tamu.edu

  • All camp enrollments are based on grade completed in the spring, 2013.
  • 4-H membership is NOT required to participate in any camp.
  • Registration program allows for:

Pre-Ordering of T-shirts

Sending messages to friends encouraging them to sign up for same group

Pay a deposit by June 13th or full amount for July camps

Discount fee if you register for July camps before June 13th

Below is a list of all the camps that will be held at the Texas 4-H Center this summer.

  • Horizons – Grades 4-8, Dates of Camp June 4th-8th, cost for camp is $275
  • County Camp 1 – Dates of Camp July 1st – July 3rd, cost for camp is $175
  • Mission Possible – Dates of Camp July 7th – July 10th, cost for camp is $175
  • County Camp II – Dates of Camp July 8th – July 10th, cost for camp is $175
  • County Camp III – Dates of Camp July 10th – July 13th, cost for camp is $225
  • Prime Time I – Grades 5th-8th, Dates of Camp July 21st – July 24th, cost for camp is $225
  • Prime Time II – Grades 2nd – 5th, Dates of Camp July 24th – July 27th, cost for camp is $225

If you are interested in any of these camps and would like more information contact Nick Gonzales at the Extension Office.

RECORD BOOKS

It is that time to start putting your record book together. If you are planning on putting a record book together here is the website to find the forms and other information you may need for your record book http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/youth_recordbooks. If you need assistance with your record book or have any questions contact Nick Gonzales at the Extension Office.

CELEBRATE 4-H

Celebrate 4-H may be a 4-H based story line promoting 4-H, community service, a project, or activity. This category may also address a specific youth issue and present ways in which this issue can be addressed through 4-H efforts. May incorporate music, vocal selections, and/or choreographed routines but these aspects cannot be more than half of the performance. Skits can be humorous, creative and make fun of but not degrade Extension employees or the 4-H program. All 4-H members entered in the category must be a part of the act. Judging will be based on material chosen, talent, creativity, showmanship, costumes, and props. Four (4) minutes for set-up and break down; maximum of six (6) minutes for presentation for a total of ten (10) minutes per act. There can be up to 9 participants in the skit. If you are interested in being a part of the Celebrate 4-H Contest at Round Up contact Nick Gonzales.

NATIONAL 4-H CONGRESS

For more than eighty-five years 4-H members from the great state of Texas have been participating in National 4-H Congress. This event is the one of the oldest and most prestigious events that youth between the ages of 14 to 18 can participate in during their 4-H career.

National 4-H Congress allows 4-H members from more than 45 states to come together in Atlanta, Georgia and participate in leadership, citizenship, and culture experiences that they would not be able to participate in back in their state 4-H program. In addition to the diverse range of workshops offered, 4-H members have the opportunity to hear some of the country’s most outstanding speakers in leadership and motivation.  It truly is an event that can change your life!

If you are between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age and would like to participate in National 4-H Congress please check out the Texas 4-H – National 4-H Congress website for more information about applying and participating.  Deadline to submit an application is April 16, 2013, so there is plenty of time for you to apply and make a difference in your life! If you would like more information contact Nick Gonzales.

SENIOR FASHION SHOW

The Senior Fashion Show is set for Saturday May 4th. It will be during the District 7 4-H Round Up. You must be 14-18 years of age to compete in the Fashion Show. If you are interested in competing contact Kim Miles at the Extension Office for entry forms, rules, or for more information.

TEXAS 4-H GOLF CHALLENGE CAMP

The Texas 4-H Golf Challenge Camp is back in 2013! Youth will not want to miss out on this fun and educational experience. This year’s camp will provide youth the opportunity to receive professional golf instruction, gain insightful knowledge on turf grass management, sports nutrition, and the rules and etiquette of golf. The Texas 4-H Golf Challenge Camp will serve as an excellent opportunity to prepare youth for each of the Regional and State Golf Challenges being held in 2013. The camp will be held April 26-28th in College Station and the cost to attend this year’s event will be $225. This includes all meals, lodging, and professional instruction. Registration is open but, limited to the first 30 Intermediate and Senior aged youth. Registration will open on 4-H Connect March 1st and close April 17th. Do not miss out on this fun filled weekend! If you would like more information contact Nick Gonzales

HOWARD COLLEGE GOAT AND LAMB CAMP

The 2013 Howard College Goat Showmanship Camp is set for June 2, 3, & 4, 2013 and the Lamb Showmanship Camp is set for June 9, 10, & 11, 2013. The charge for the camp is $85.00 per person which includes four meals and a camp tee shirt or cap. Add $20 per goat or lamb provided by Howard College. If possible bring your own goat or lamb for demonstration purposes. Participants must be at least 9 years old or entering the 3rd grade. If you want more information on these camps please contact the Extension Office.

4-H ENROLLMENT IS OPEN ON 4-H CONNECT!

All 4-H families, new and returning, are encouraged to log in and enroll in order to become an official 4-H member. If you want to become an adult leader or volunteer we encourage you to enroll for the 2012-2013 year. The web site for 4-H CONNECT is www.4honline.com There is no cost for adult leaders or adult volunteers. As you enroll in 4-H for the year, here are some tips in using 4-H CONNECT:

• If you already have a profile DO NOT create another one!

• If you lost your email and password call the county office we can tell you your e-mail address and reset your password!

• To be an official 4-H member in Texas 4-H you must have an ACTIVE profile in 4-H CONNECT!

• An active membership will not be granted until the $25.00 participation fee is paid on 4-H   Connect!

• You cannot register for an event until your profile is ACTIVE.

• When you are doing your re-enrollment for the 2012-2013 4-H Year please make sure you update your address, phone number, and e-mail address.

• You can use your Spaghetti Luncheon Fundraiser Voucher to pay your membership dues. To do this you will have to come into the extension office to enroll.

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners’ Courts of Texas Cooperating