2017 Outdoor Challenge Update and Results

Since this events conception in 2009, it has grown into a 132 participant weekend, filled with outdoor education, skills, and challenges. On June 16^th of 2017, Texas 4-H members arrived in Seguin, Texas to participate in the Outdoor Challenge. Each participant competed in ten events as a member of a two-person team. Teams were divided into age division and team type: Co-Ed, Male, or Female. Events were conducted throughout the weekend, which included Kayaking, Shotgun, Fishing, Archery, Biking, Climbing, Biologist Skills, Safety, Outdoor Skills, and Gear Judging. Each event was scored out of 20 points and every team was able to drop their lowest scoring event. The high placing team of the Outdoor Challenge was a Co-Ed Intermediate team from Grimes and Montgomery County with a score of 164.5 out of a possible 180.  

Even though this event involves competition, participants from the across the state were able to gather and share a love for the outdoors. This event is meant to showcase many outdoor and wildlife project areas that are offered through Texas 4-H. The hope is that students will be pushed to learn something new while preparing for the Outdoor Challenge, and then go home after the event looking for ways to become more involved. 

Below you will find the link to the Outdoor Education & Living Skills page, where you can learn more about this event, and see the 2017 Results page off the contest tab.

https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/outdoor-education-living-skills/ 

Congratulations to all participants! We hope to see you next year.

*Photos provided by Regina Sugg

4-H Outdoor Education Coach Training - November 21-22

Registration is open for the 4-H Outdoor Education Coach Training set for November 21-22 at the Texas 4-H Center in Brownwood.  This training and certification is available to any enrolled adult leader (21 years of age or older) desiring to coach 4-H youth in projects where live firing is conducted. This training and certification is designed specifically for projects including Hunting & Wildlife and Outdoor Challenge. This certification does not allow the adult to coach local Shooting Sports projects. The training is also available for enrolled adults 18-20 to become Assistant Coaches. All training participants will also receive the Texas Hunter Education Instructor Certification. In addition, the training will cover wildlife management basics, wildlife identification basics, wildlife biologist skills basics, game laws and ethics, various hunting and outdoor living skills, camping safety, boating safety, and other outdoor safety basics.  Registration is available on 4-H Connect; https://texas.4honline.com.  More details can be found on the training flyer.

New Resources Posted on 4-H Natural Resources Program Webpages

Fourteen new printed resources have been added to the various webpages representing the 4-H Natural Resources Program.  These webpages include the following projects and links:
Shooting Sports - http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/shootingsports/
Sportfishing - http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/project_sportfishing/sportfishing/
Wildlife - http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/project_wildlife/wildlife/
Outdoor Challenge - http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/outdoor/ 

The resources titles include:

• Gear Judging Practice Scenario
• Know Your Dominant Eye Activity
• Life Skills Color Wheel
• Cartridge Board Activity
• Skill of Observation Activity
• Skill of Observation Activity Form
• Sportfishing Dryland Tournament
• Fish Halves Activity
• Texas State Parks Youth Group Annual Pass Application
• Fish Study Guide
• Wildlife ID Guide
• Wildlife Tracks Fact Sheet
• Tying the Thief Knot
• Hunter Skills Trail Manual

Visit the various webpages to view and download the resources.   Look for additional resources to be added to each page in the upcoming months.

2013 Outdoor Challenge

This summer's Outdoor Challenge was another big hit with participant numbers nearly doubling.  The event was hosted again by the Texas 4-H Center on Lake Brownwood.  The event challenged two person teams in tests of skills in climbing, wildlife identification, biologist skills, wildlife knowledge, swimming, shooting sports, outdoor first aid/wilderness survival, knot tying, and kayaking.  To learn more about this activity, check out the Outdoor Challenge Handbook which is revised each year prior to the event.  Browse the Outdoor Challenge webpage to learn more, stay up to date, and view the 2013 Results.

Next year's event planning is in progress with a new location and possible new challenges.  Keep your skills honed!

2012-2013 Texas 4-H Natural Resources Important Rules & Procedures, Event Synopsis, and Tentative Schedule of Events

Check it out! We have created a comprehensive document, available HERE, for one stop reference to general 4-H Natural Resources Program events and activities information.

It is recommended that this document be utilized without printing. View electronically for best use. Dates and information within this document will be updated regularly, as will the live links to other sites and information contained within the document.

Please note in the Schedule that all dates are subject to change and some dates/locations are still being finalized. We are working diligently to get these details finalized. As they become so, updates will be announced and posted in the document, and on the website.