4-H Hunting and Wildlife Project Coach Training

This training has been expanded to three different dates and three different locations this year.  To see the full details on this expansion, click HERE.

4-H Shooting Sports Muzzleloading Coach Training

The 4-H Muzzleloading Coach Training will look different this year.  In addition, the training will be offered three different times in three different locations.  Hopefully, this will allow more individuals to take part in the training.  To see more detail about this new look in the training procedure, click HERE.

Updated List of 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Trainings

The 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training list previously published has been updated to show cancellations due to hurricane issues in the southern part of the state and additions for this Fall through the Winter and into Spring.  To view the list click HERE or visit the 4-H Shooting Sports webpage.

Fall Offerings for 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training

With the beginning of the new 4-H year comes new training opportunities to add coach positions to growing 4-H Shooting Sports projects across Texas.  Several opportunities are available in a variety of areas in the state.  Be sure to get those new volunteers enrolled as soon as possible to avoid a delay in registering for a training.  The background check that accompanies all enrollment takes at least 2 weeks to process.  Be proactive and plan ahead.

For the list of 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Trainings this fall, click HERE. 
More will be offered in the winter and spring of the year.  A full list can be found on the Quick Reference Schedule of Events/Trainings/Activities located on the 4-H Shooting Sports webpage, by clicking HERE and scrolling down to '4-H Member Resources'.

4-H Shooting Sports Project Coach Training and Certification

The 4-H Shooting Sports Project encompasses a large percentage of the 4-H membership in Texas and is the only project that requires each volunteer coach to be trained and certified in specific shooting disciplines before working with local 4-H youth.  The shooting disciplines covered in 4-H are archery, pistol, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloading, and hunting.  Several hundred volunteers are trained each year.  September and the new 4-H year open the coach training season.  Many questions arise each year concerning 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Certification and the trainings themselves.  The following are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

•  All 4-H Shooting Sports local projects must have at least one 4-H trained and certified coach in each of the disciplines offered in that project.
• Adults must first be enrolled on 4-H Connect as 'Volunteers' which requires a background check that takes at least two weeks to process so do this well in advance of a desired training registration.
• Only one discipline certification is available per training attended.  However, coaches may attend multiple trainings and be certified in multiple disciplines.
• A certified coach must be present on the range during all firearm handling and live fire.
• A certified coach must be 21 years of age or older.
• No other certifications or professional training will substitute for 4-H training and certification.
• Any 4-H member or volunteer 14-20 years of age may attend the training and receive an Assistant Coach certification.
•  All scheduled trainings are open to enrolled 4-H volunteers and eligible members regardless of where in the state they live.

For more details on this certification, click HERE.

District 2 Coach Training June 1-2, Register Now!

The District 2 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training will be held in Lubbock on June 1-2, 2013.

This training will provide certifications as Certified Coaches or Assistant Coaches in the selected disciplines including archery, pistol, rifle, or shotgun.

Registration for this training will be on 4-H Connect. Registration will close on May 22, 2013.
No late registration will be allowed. Anyone interested in registration must be currently enrolled in the 4-H system.

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.

Leadership Opportunties for Youth: Youth Assistant Certifications

The 4-H Natural Resources Program offers Youth Assistant certifications in the Shooting Sports Project (All disciplines), the Sportfishing Project, the Wildlife Project and the Wildlife Habitat Education Project (WHEP). Youth Assistant Certifications are for those youth who will assist a certified Adult Leader, County Extension Employee, or Shooting Sports Coach with leadership of a Shooting Sports, Sportfishing, Wildlife or WHEP project in their county. This is a great opportunity for enthusiastic senior 4-H’ers who are passionate about Natural Resources to develop leadership skills, expand their knowledge, and share that knowledge with others. To become a Youth Assistant, youth should register for and attend the appropriate project area leader training. A Youth Assistant candidate must be accompanied to training either by a previously certified Adult Leader OR an Adult Leader participating in the same training. Youth must be 14 years of age or older by September 1 of current 4-H year to be eligible for training. Youth Assistant Certifications can be upgraded to Adult Leader/Coach Certification with no additional training once a youth has aged out of the 4-H program and has been approved as a 4-H Adult Volunteer Leader.

Benavides Adult Leader Trainings-Registration Open!

Registration is open on 4-H Connect for Shooting Sports Coach Training and Sportifishing Leader Training to be held in Benavides, TX on September 15-16, 2012. Both registrations will close August 24, 2012! Sign up now! Visit the Texas 4-H Natural Resources website for more info on these trainings.