TEXAS 4-H OUTDOOR CHALLENGE

Challenge Your Mind

Challenge Your Skills

Challenge the Great Outdoors

2009 Photo Gallery

Who: Texas 4H members

What: 4-member team competes in outdoor contests

When: June 26-27, 2009

Where: Texas 4H Center Brownwood, Texas

How: Register on 4H Connect by May 31, 2009

Cost: $30 contest registration fee

Lodging, Facility and Meal Expenses: Optional and varies based upon needs

As never before, today’s youth face an ever-increasing disassociation with natural areas and its resources. This is as a result of many factors including urbanization, educational priorities, family structure, culture, priorities, values, and beliefs. This trend is detrimental not only to the individual’s knowledge and awareness of the resource, but also (and likely more important) a detriment to the resource itself.   This disassociation with natural areas can lead to lost learning opportunities, potential lack of involvement, and/or loss of natural resources.  The Texas 4-H Outdoor Challenge will help address this situation through an experiential, educational contest conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel and other natural resource professionals. 

Target Audience

• Youth 4-H members 8-18 years old as of September 1, 2008
• Two age divisions for this event
• Juniors = 8-13 (as of Sept. 1, 2008)
• Seniors = 14 -18 (as of Sept. 1, 2008); must not have turned 19 by that date

Knowledge/Skills Gained

By participating in the Texas 4-H Outdoor Challenge, youth will gain proficiency in the following:

• Shooting Sports (rifle, shotgun, and archery)
• Sportfishing
• Swimming
• Canoeing
• Camping/Outdoor Living Skills
• Orienteering
• Identification of Wildlife and Natural Resources
• Outdoor Safety
• Teamwork
• Decision-making

Events Description

A team consists of exactly 4 members (no more, no less) within the same age division, and will compete in the following events below.  Individuals will be allowed to move up an older age division in order to help complete a team. Members are not allowed to move down to a younger age division. For this contest, there will be only two age divisions: Juniors (ages 8 to 13 as of September 1, 2008) and Seniors (ages 14 to but not have turned 19 by September 1, 2008). Each member must compete in one-half of the two person events in the competition:

• Fishing (points awarded by team rank; 0-10 points awarded)
  • Two members from the team will compete to catch, measure and release as many fish possible within the given time frame. 
  • The team rank will be calculated by the sum total inches of fish caught.
  • Measurements will be made by a contest official. 
  • Bonus points will be awarded to the team that catches longest single fish.
  • Teams must supply their own equipment and tackle.
    

• Rifle (maximum 10 points per team)
  • Two members from the team will compete to shoot .22 light rifles (open sights only; no target rifles) in the standing position at 5 breakable targets for scoring
  • Regardless of firearm type, single shot loading is required
  • No shooting accessories (scopes, special clothing, slings) will be allowed. 
  • Teams must supply own rifles, eye protection, and ear protection.
  • Ammunition provided and must be used during the contest.  Five cartridges will be provided per person.
  • A broken target is worth one point each.

• Shotgun (maximum 20 points per team)
  • Two members from the team will compete in this trap event (12 shots per person; the first 2 shots are warmup prior to the 10 scored shots). 
  • Provided ammunition must be used during the contest. 
  • A broken target is worth one point each. 
  • Teams must supply their own 12 or 20 gauge shotguns, eye protection, and ear protection for each shooter.

• Archery (maximum 20 points per team)
  • Two members from the team will compete in this event, which will consist of five 3D wildlife targets. 
  • Members are allowed 2 shots at each target. 
  • Points of 0, ½, or 1 will be awarded per shot based upon target kill zones
  • Teams must supply own bows, arrows (target points only), and eye protection.

• Canoeing (maximum 10 points per team)
  • Two members will compete in this event, which will consist of a timed race.
  • Paired contestants will be required to begin on foot from a starting line, put on personal flotation device (PFD) properly, launch canoe, traverse course, and return to finish line.
  • Teams will be awarded points based upon team placing.
  • Canoes, paddles, and PFD’s will be provided.  

• Swimming (maximum 10 points per team)
  • Two team members will compete in this event, which will consist of a timed relay race.
  • Teams will be awarded points based upon the number of teams and their respective placing.
  • Proper swimming attire required.

• Orienteering (maximum 20 points per team)
  • Four team members will compete in this event, which will consist of a multi-point compass course.
  • Teams must provide own compasses.
  • Teams will be scored based upon accuracy.

• Camping Skills (maximum 20 points per team)
  • Four team members will compete in this event, which may consist of one or more of the following camping skills: tent assembly, campfire building, purifying (boiling) water, backpack gear-packing,
  • Scoring will be based upon time and/or accuracy and teamwork.
  • Equipment and materials needed for this event will be provided.

• Outdoor ID (maximum 20 points per team)
  • Four team members will compete in this event, which will consist of a written exam to identify various items found in the outdoors (wildlife, plants, etc.)
  • Scoring will be based upon the number of correct/incorrect answers.   Individual scores will be averaged on a 20-point scale to obtain total team score.

• Safety (maximum 20 points per team)
  • Four team members will compete in this event, which may consist of a written exam to identify various safety issues provided in the form of a scene, written scenario, or other format.
  • Scoring will be based upon the number of correct/incorrect answers.  Individual scores will be averaged on a 20-point scale to obtain total team score.

Study Resources

Venomous Terrestrial Animals of Texas (PDF)

Snakes and Their Control (PDF)

Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas (PDF)

Camping Skills, Orienteering, and Safety (OLS manual - look on Amazon for used, cheaper versions)

Required Supplies Per Team

• Rod and reel and tackle for two team members
• .22 light rifles for two team members
• 12 or 20 guage shotguns for two team members
• eye and ear protection for four team members
• bows and arrows for two team members
• swimming attire for two team members
• compass(es) for team of four (may use as many as team sees fit)

Suggested Supply List

• pencils and clipboards for each team member
• sunscreen
• insect repellent

Suggested Supplies if Staying at the Texas 4-H Center

• bedding and pillow
• toiletries
• clothing suitable for the outdoors in June

Tentative Event Schedule

Friday:
2 PM               Registration
3 PM               Orientation
4:00               Camping Skills
5:00               Orienteering
6:00               Supper
8:00 PM          Safety
9:00 PM          Outdoor ID
10:00 PM        Adjourn for the Evening

Saturday:
8:00 AM               Fishing (2)                                         Shotgun (2)
10:00 AM             Archery (2)                                         Rifle (2)
11:30 AM             Canoeing (2)                                      Swimming (2)
12:30 PM             Lunch & Clean Up
2:00 PM               Awards
3:00 PM               Depart for Home

Site last updated: October 9, 2009