Important Policies & Procedures

TEXAS 4-H NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM 2012-2013 Important Policies & Procedures, Event Synopsis, and Tentative Schedule of Events *Note: It is recommended that this document be utilized without printing. Dates and information within this document will be updated regularly, as will the live links to other sites and information contained within the document. Welcome to the 2012-2013 4-H year! Below you will find overviews of Important Policies & Procedures, brief descriptions of many of the events and activities that the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program has to offer, and a Schedule of Events by month. Please note in the Schedule that all dates are subject to change and some dates/locations are still being finalized. As details are finalized updates will be announced and posted in this document. Check the date in the upper left corner for to ensure you are using the most current version of this document! The following resources are available to you anytime for detailed event information and updates: Website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/natural o For detailed project area and event information, event rules, and event procedures, please visit our project area webpages via the Natural Resources Program Links box at upper right of the Natural Resources Program home page. Project area pages include: Shooting Sports Website and a Shooting Sports Events & Event Results page, Outdoor Challenge Website, Wildlife Website, Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) Website, and Sportfishing Website. o Calendar: Share your Natural Resources related events and see State Natural Resources Program events and other invitational events. Follow the links from the Natural Resources Program home page to the calendar and the calendar sharing instructions (how to post your own events). Note: to see the calendar in a list view rather than by week or month, click Agenda in the upper right corner of the calendar screen. Blog: http://texas4hnaturalresources.blogspot.com Sign up here to receive an email anytime an update is posted on the blog! Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/tx4hnaturalresources Like us on Facebook for updates! Important Policies & Procedures Registration Process: Registration for most Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program events is completed via 4-H Connect. Registration open and close dates can be found with the detailed event information, and on the Natural Resources Program calendar. For most events (excepting large events such as Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Games, and Shooting Sports Extravaganza) 4-H Connect event registrations are not approved until after the registration close date. Late Registration Policy: Requests to register after the registration close date for any event will be considered on a case by case basis. Note that some events will not allow late registration, regardless of circumstance. See specific event information for details regarding late registration for that event. Any late registrations granted will be subject to additional processing fees (late fees) as detailed in the event information. Refund Policy: 4-H Connect has a general NO REFUND POLICY. However, for Texas 4-H Natural Resources events, written/email refund requests received prior to two weeks from the event start date will be granted minus a 15% processing fee. Written/email requests received later than two weeks prior to event start date will be granted minus a 50% processing fee. All refund requests should include whom the refund check should be written to (County/Club/Individual) and a mailing address. Requests must be emailed to: tx4hnaturalresources@tamu.edu Please note: Refund requests may take up to 6-8 weeks for processing and delivery of check. Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Policy: 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Certification is mandatory for all adults who will lead a 4-H Shooting Sports project. To be eligible to become a certified 4-H Shooting Sports coach and/or actively coach in your county, a coach/coach training candidate must: be a minimum of 18 years of age (must be minimum 21 years of age to chaperone overnight events/activities), and be an actively enrolled 4-H Adult Volunteer Leader via 4-H Connect. Counties are responsible annually for ensuring that all coaches 1

are enrolled/reenrolled Adult Volunteer Leaders via 4-H Connect prior to allowing participation in a 4-H Shooting Sports program that 4-H year. Coach certifications do not expire; they are good for the lifetime of the certified coach granted the certified coach meets 4-H eligibility requirements annually. Certifications become inactive if the coach does not meet 4-H eligibility requirements annually. After a period of inactivity, a coach may request or the county may require a refresher/update from the State 4-H Natural Resources Program Office including updated 4-H Shooting Sports curriculum in the certified discipline(s). Refresher/Update requests will be handled on a case by case basis. Coach certifications are recognized state-wide and can move county to county should the location of the coach change. Adult Volunteer Registration must be transferred to the new county to be eligible to coach in that county. Certifications are discipline specific (i.e. shotgun, rifle, archery, pistol, muzzleloading, hunting & wildlife). A coach is only certified to coach the discipline (or disciplines should the coach hold multiple certifications) in which they have been certified. Coaches who were previously 4-H Shooting Sports coach certified in other states may request a transfer of coach certification to Texas. Requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis and will minimally require: documentation of prior certification, positive reference from previous state 4-H Shooting Sports leader, training in Texas 4-H coaching policy/techniques (Green Injection), and current enrollment as a Texas 4-H Adult Volunteer Leader on 4-H Connect. Attendance at a Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Coach training may be required in addition to the above and any other documentation requested by the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports leader/texas 4- H & Youth Development Program. At this time, no other shooting sports certifications (NRA, etc.) are transferrable to a Texas 4-H Shooting Sports coach certification. An actively enrolled 4-H Adult Volunteer Leader who is not a certified 4-H Shooting Sports coach may assist a certified 4-H Shooting Sports coach ONLY in the immediate presence of the certified coach. Should the certified coach be absent for any period of time, regardless how short or long the absence may be, all Shooting Sports activity must cease until the return of the certified coach. **Please note: Counties may have policies in place regarding requirements in addition to those listed above.** 2

2012-2013 Event Synopsis Categories: Shooting Sports, Wildlife, Sportfishing, Texas 4-H Roundup Events, 4-H Natural Resources Program Related Recordbook Categories, Interdisciplinary Events, and Youth Leadership Opportunities Shooting Sports: See the Schedule section for event dates, registration open/close dates, etc. For detailed Shooting Sports Event information, event rules, and event procedures, please visit the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/natural then navigate to the Shooting Sports Events & Event Results page via the Natural Resources Program Links box at upper right. For information related to the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Project aside from the state sponsored competitive youth events listed on the Shooting Sports Events & Event Results page, please navigate to the Shooting Sports Website via the Natural Resources Program Links box at upper right. Shooting Sports Coach Training: $120/Coach Candidate, or Youth Assistant Coach Candidate. No charge for Extension Employees. Certification is mandatory for all adults who will lead a 4-H Shooting Sports project. Participants attend two day classes that prepare and certify them for coaching their local 4-H Shooting Sports project. The trainings teach participants the basics and history of 4-H, risk management procedures, range safety and regulations, proper practices for coaching youth audiences, and discipline specific aspects of shooting sports. Discipline certifications offered at each training include: archery, pistol, rifle, and shotgun. Only one discipline certification may be obtained per coach candidate per training. The agenda will cover all day on Saturday and Sunday morning until noon. Saturday noon and supper meals will be provided and are included in the registration. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Any actively enrolled Adult Volunteer Leader, Extension employee, or senior 4-H youth is eligible for this training. Actively enrolled youth who have reached age 14 by September 1 of the current 4-H year may participate in a training as a Youth Assistant Coach Candidate. Please see the Youth Leadership Opportunities section for more information on Youth Assistant Coach/Leader certifications. Postal Leagues: $10/event A state-wide competitive shooting match in which participants complete their course of fire over an extended designated time frame in their own county. Thus, allowing for greater flexibility of schedules, and eliminating the cost of travel to an event. Following the close of each match, scores are submitted electronically to the State Office. Events include: 3-P Smallbore Rifle, Air Pistol, Archery, BB Gun, Light Rifle, Precision Air Rifle, Sporter Air Rifle, Smallbore Pistol, Trap, and Skeet. Participants may compete in as many events as their county/club will allow. Please note that Trap & Skeet Leagues (collectively known as Shotgun Leagues) are held at a different time than the other leagues. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Any actively enrolled 4-H member is eligible to participate (with county/club approval). Indoor Archery Match: $TBD A state-wide archery match held in two locations, Graham and Bay City. Participants must choose only one location. Following the close of competition at both locations, scores are compiled to determine final overall results. Courses of fire include: Standard FITA 9 meter or 18 meter indoor rounds based on age group. Equipment classes include: Barebow, Recurve, Compound Aided, and Compound Unaided. Archers may compete in both recurve and compound divisions if they so choose for an additional fee. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Any actively enrolled 4-H member is eligible to participate (with county/club approval). Shooting Sports Extravaganza: $20/Participant (additional optional fees may apply, see detailed event information) An open match for beginner shooters requiring only basic knowledge of safety, rules and specific shooting event format. Emphasizing fun and exploring new shooting activities, shooters are encouraged to try new events as time permits. This is not intended to be a match for top level shooters, but an introduction to competitive shooting for beginners. Advanced shooters are encouraged to participate as mentors for less experienced shooters. Shooting Sports Extravaganza will take place at the Texas 4-H Conference Center on Lake Brownwood. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Any actively enrolled 4-H member is eligible to participate (with county/club approval). ***Newly reformatted for 2013! Shooting Sports Extravaganza will include: scoring workshop for coaches/parents, and social activities for youth. Scores and rankings for all events will be recorded and posted, however, in efforts to educate and encourage beginning shooters, no awards will be presented. All shots and score rankings are for educational purposes (and bragging rights) only. 4-H Junior Olympic Shotgun Camp (JOSC): $TBD An event for youth with intermediate shotgun experience. The program aims to promote shotgun shooting skills in American Trap, American Skeet, or 5-Stand Sporting Clays (this camp provides participants with intensive training in their choice of one of the previous disciplines). The program will also focus on developing and enhancing leadership skills, shooting sportsmanship, mental 3

discipline, self-control, and shooting etiquette on the field. Camp participants will learn how the environment affects shooting performance, how to care for and maintain a competitive firearm, and how to effectively utilize a shooting diary and personal records. Application for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Any actively enrolled 4-H member, 11-14 years of age, is eligible to apply (with county/club approval). Applications are also available via 4-H Connect for Assistant Coach/Chaperone positions and Youth Coach/Chaperone positions. Youth and adults interested in applying for these positions must be actively enrolled as 4-H members or 4-H Adult Volunteer Leaders. Youth interested in the Youth Coach/Chaperone position must be 14-16 years old and must have previously attended two or more 4-H JOSCs. Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Games: (additional optional fees may apply, see detailed event information) State matches in multiple events from disciplines including: Archery, Rifle, Muzzleloading, Pistol, Hunting & Wildlife, and Shotgun. No qualification is required. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Any actively enrolled 4-H member is eligible to participate (with county/club approval). ***New for 2013! Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Games will be held in multiple locations on multiple dates. Detailed information is being finalized. Youth Assistant Coach/Leader Certifications: See the Youth Leadership Opportunities Section Roundup Indoor Rifle Match: See Texas 4-H Roundup Events Section Hunting & Wildlife Coach/Adult Leader Training: See Wildlife Section Shooting Sports Ambassadors: See Youth Leadership Opportunities Section 4-H Shooting Sports National Invitational and Texas Teams: See Youth Leadership Opportunities Section Outdoor Challenge: See Interdisciplinary Events Section Wildlife: See the Schedule Section for event dates, registration open/close dates, etc. For detailed Wildlife Project and event information, event rules, and event procedures, please visit the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/natural then navigate to the Wildlife Website or the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Website via the Natural Resources Program Links box at upper right. Hunting and Wildlife Coach/Adult Leader Training: $TBD/Coach, Adult Leader Candidate, or Youth Assistant Coach/Leader Candidate. No charge for Extension Employees. Certification is mandatory for all adults who will lead a 4-H Shooting Sports project. Shooting Sports Hunting & Wildlife Coach Training: 4-H Hunting & Wildlife is a 4-H Shooting Sports discipline and much more. During the 4-H Shooting Sports State Games each summer, youth can register to participate in this discipline that offers live firing events as well as interactive events that challenge the knowledge and skills of the contestant. The live firing events are designed to simulate as closely as possible the type of shooting one would do in a hunting field rather than on a shooting range. One design of this training is to prepare an adult leader to coach youth in the Hunting & Wildlife Shooting Sports discipline and certify them to train their youth to safely and responsibly use the four firearms (shotgun, smallbore light rifle, muzzle loading rifle, and bow) in live firing situations. This certification will allow the coach to regularly instruct their local youth and coach them in the Hunting & Wildlife events sponsored by 4-H. This certification will not allow an adult leader to become a coach of a specific shooting discipline within the 4-H Shooting Sports Program that involves further competitive use of a specific firearm (i.e. an adult attending this training cannot return to a county to become the lead rifle coach in that 4-H program.) Adult Leader Training: The training is also designed for any adult leader wishing to work with their local youth in a hunting or wildlife project or a combination of the two. During the training participants will become certified as Texas Hunter Education Instructors. This certification does not obligate the recipient to provide courses to the public. However, the certification does allow them to provide basic Hunter Education training and certification to the youth they lead. The agenda will also include information on the Texas Youth Hunter Education Challenge (a competitive event through NRA, sponsored by the Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association), the Texas Youth Hunting Program, and many more related programs, activities and opportunities for youth. The training will be interactive with indoor and outdoor activities including live firing of all firearm types, simulated hunting scenarios, and various other outdoor skills and education. Participants will take home a variety of curricula, resources, and experiences that will allow them to begin or enhance a Hunting & Wildlife project for their local youth. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Any actively enrolled adult leader, Extension employee, or senior 4-H youth is eligible for this 4

training. Actively enrolled youth who have reached age 14 by September 1 of the current 4-H year may participate in a training as a Youth Assistant Coach/Leader Candidate. Please see the Youth Leadership Opportunities section for more information on Youth Assistant Coach/Leader certifications. Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP): An interactive program that teaches youth about wildlife, habitat, habitat management, and natural resources stewardship. In addition, life skills such as team work, critical thinking, public speaking, and observation are underlying objectives in this youth development effort. Please see the website for detailed project and contest information. WHEP Adult Leader Training: 65/Adult Leaders or Youth Assistant Leaders, No charge for Extension Employees Two day training will cover the basics of the WHEP program including curriculum, contests, contest rules, how contests are put together, and how to train for a contest. The second morning will be set up as a practice contest for training participants to experience an abbreviated version of a contest and begin to develop an understanding of the contest activities. The training will consist of classroom and outdoor sessions. The agenda will cover all day on Saturday and Sunday morning until noon. Saturday noon and supper meals will be provided and are included in the registration. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Any actively enrolled adult leader, Extension employee, or senior 4-H youth is eligible for this training. Actively enrolled youth who have reached age 14 by September 1 of the current 4-H year may participate in a training as a Youth Assistant Leader Candidate. Please see the Youth Leadership Opportunities section for more information on Youth Assistant Coach/Leader certifications. The curriculum is posted on our WHEP website in the current 2012 revised format. Each pdf file beginning with the Introduction is a part of the curriculum. Review it there for more information on the program or download and print a copy. A copy will be provided to training participants. The rules posted within the curriculum are for the National Invitational only. Rules and procedures for Texas contests are different than the National Invitational and are posted on the website with event details for each contest. State WHEP Contest: $15/Participant A full WHEP contest based on information found in the National WHEP Manual only. This Manual should be used for a general study guide to prepare for this contest. The wildlife identification activity is based on only the species listed in the manual. Species photos and characteristics should be studied using various identification resources available on the internet or in hard copy form. The contest rules and procedures listed in the Texas Contest information supersede those found in the National WHEP Manual which is designed for the National Contest. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Junior (Ages 8-10), Intermediate (Ages 11-13), and Senior (Ages 14-18) teams (of 3 or 4 members) and individuals are eligible to participate (with county/club approval). Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo WHEP Contest: $TBA with HLSR Information A modified, one day, WHEP contest. Junior (8-13 years old) and Senior (14-19 years old) teams of 3 or 4 members and individuals are eligible to participate (with county/club approval). Registration is completed via your local County A&M AgriLife Extension Office on the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo registration. WHEP Practice Contests: Multiple practice contests will be held at various locations around the state throughout the year. Practice contests will include practice and instruction in all contest activities. Any actively enrolled 4-H member (Adult or youth) is eligible to participate (with county/club approval). Registration details will be posted with specific event information. WHEP National Invitational: See Youth Leadership Opportunities Section Outdoor Challenge: See Interdisciplinary Events Section Wildlife Challenge: See 4-H Roundup Events Section Youth Assistant Coach/Leader Certifications: See the Youth Leadership Opportunities Section 5

Sportfishing: See the Schedule Section for event dates, registration open/close dates, etc. For detailed Sportfishing Project and event information, event rules, and event procedures, please visit the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/natural then navigate to the Sportfishing Website via the Natural Resources Program Links box at upper right. Sportfishing Adult Leader Training: $65/Adult Leaders or Youth Assistant Leaders, No charge for Extension Employees Two day training will offer a diverse exposure to curricula, resources, and techniques available to lead youth through the project. During the training the participants will receive certification as Instructors in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Angler Education program. This certification does not obligate the recipient to provide courses to the public. However, the certification does allow them to provide basic Angler Education training and certification to the youth they lead. The Angler Education Program is a high quality basic introduction to fishing providing a variety of resources for the instructor which can be acquired free of charge. The training will be interactive and offer a combination of indoor and outdoor activities and exposure. Come prepared to spend time in the classroom and at the water s edge learning how to share your enthusiasm about our natural resources with your local youth. The agenda will cover all day on Saturday and Sunday morning until noon. Saturday noon and supper meals will be provided and are included in the registration. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Any actively enrolled Adult Volunteer Leader, Extension employee, or senior 4-H youth is eligible for this training. Actively enrolled youth who have reached age 14 by September 1 of the current 4-H year may participate in a training as a Youth Assistant Leader Candidate. Please see the Youth Leadership Opportunities section for more information on Youth Assistant Coach/Leader certifications. Family Fishing Weekend: $TBD Several weekends throughout the year at various locations across the state the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program will coordinate fun and relaxing fishing weekends with activities and fishing opportunities for all ages. In addition to fishing, optional education sessions will be offered at designated times covering basic and advanced topics related to fishing and aquatic science. Registration information and event details will be posted as they become available. Sporfishing Quizbowl: $TBD *Please note: this event is in the early planning stages. Detailed information will be posted and distributed when it becomes available. This will be a team event for all 4-H ages (Junior, Intermediate, Senior), and will follow general 4-H Quizbowl rules, procedures, and setup. Topics covered will include: Sportfishing Methods & Equipment, Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Species Identification, Laws and Regulations, and Safety and Ethics. See the detailed event information (which will be posted on the Sportfishing website when it is available) for a list of learning resources. Outdoor Challenge: See Interdisciplinary Events Section Wildlife Challenge: See Texas 4-H Roundup Events Section Youth Assistant Coach/Leader Certifications: See the Youth Leadership Opportunities Section Texas 4-H Roundup Events: See the Schedule Section for event dates, registration open/close dates, etc. For detailed Roundup event information, event rules, and event procedures, please visit the Texas 4-H & Youth Development website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu Roundup Indoor Rifle Match: This contest allows the top senior teams and individuals from their respective district matches to compete in State Roundup. Participants fire a half course three-position match (20 shots/position). The top three senior teams of three (3) or four (4) shooters in each district rifle match are eligible to represent their county and district at the 4-H Roundup Indoor Rifle Match. The top three senior individuals in each district match may compete (if they are not members of one of the qualifying teams) in the match as individuals only. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Actively enrolled 4-H members who qualify via their District Rifle event are eligible to participate (with county/club approval). Wildlife Challenge: $TBA with Roundup Information The Wildlife Challenge covers material found within five 4-H Natural Resources projects; Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP), Hunting & Wildlife Shooting Sports Discipline, Entomology, Forestry, and Sportfishing. Contestants will have the opportunity to explore all five of these projects while preparing for the contest. Contestants will compete as a county team of 3 or 4 or as individuals. Contestants will compete within intermediate and senior age divisions. The contest consists of three parts: Species Identification, Decision Making, and a Knowledge and Skills Quiz. Each part will be completed individually by each contestant and 6

scores compiled to determine team placings. Each part may cover any or all of the specified information within the five 4-H Natural Resources project areas resources available on the 4-H Natural Resources website. Registration for this event is completed online via Roundup. Any actively enrolled Intermediate or Senior 4-H member is eligible to participate (with county/club approval). No qualification is required. Educational Presentations: A 4-H educational presentation is a demonstration of your knowledge and skills in a certain project area. This presentation is done in a way that is most comfortable to you. It can be accomplished using props, posters or media representations, or it can be you just speaking and convincing, or simply educating, with words alone. For detailed information and explanation of an educational presentation, see the What Is An Educational Presentation publication on the Texas 4-H & Youth development website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/. Please refer to 2013 Roundup information for Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program related educational presentation categories. Interdisciplinary Events: See the Schedule Section for event dates, registration open/close dates, etc. These events are designed to encourage participation and learning in interrelated project areas, and as an opportunity for youth involved in these multiple project areas to exercise their knowledge and skills in a comprehensive event. For detailed event information, event rules, and event procedures, please visit the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program website: http://texas4- h.tamu.edu/natural then navigate to the relevant website/page via the Natural Resources Program Links box at upper right. Outdoor Challenge: $TBD/Particpant A two day outdoor knowledge and skills contest for two person teams. Junior, Intermediate, and Senior age divisions each include: All Male, All Female, and Co-Ed subdivisions. Ten events from the following categories will be selected for each annual contest: Fishing, Rifle, Shotgun, Archery, Canoeing/Kayaking, Swimming, Orienteering-Compass, Outdoor Identification, Knot Tying, and Climbing. Each team will compete in the series of events and potentially accumulate points. Contestants must be prepared for each event; there will not be time for instruction or training during competition. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Any actively enrolled 4-H member is eligible to participate (with county/club approval). Outdoor Challenge Camp: $TBD Held immediately prior to Outdoor Challenge, this camp will help train and prepare participants for the event. Participation in camp does not obligate participants to compete at Outdoor Challenge, nor is camp participation required to be eligible as an Outdoor Challenge competitor. Registration for this event is completed online via 4-H Connect. Any actively enrolled 4-H member is eligible to participate (with county/club approval). Wildlife Challenge: See Texas 4-H Roundup Events Section 4-H Natural Resources Program Related Recordbook Categories: Recordbook categories related to 4-H Natural Resources Program project areas will include: Wildlife & Fisheries, Shooting Sports, and Open-Natural Resources. Visit the Texas 4-H & Youth Development website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu for details. 7

Youth Leadership Opportunities: Opportunities for senior 4-H youth to represent club, county, Texas, the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program, and the entire Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program. Youth Assistant Coach/Leader Training: The 4-H Natural Resources Program offers Youth Assistant Coach/Leader training in the Shooting Sports Project (All disciplines), the Sportfishing Project, and the Wildlife Habitat Education Project (WHEP). Youth Assistant Coach/Leader training is for those youth who will assist an Adult Volunteer Leader, County Extension Employee, or certified Shooting Sports Coach with leadership of a Shooting Sports, Sportfishing, 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 Coach/Leader, youth should register for and attend the appropriate project area leader training. A Youth Assistant Coach/Leader candidate must be accompanied to training either by a previously trained adult or an adult 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 Coaches/Leaders can be upgraded to full 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 (minimum 18 years of age, minimum 21 years of age to chaperone youth on overnight activities). 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassadors: Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassadors represent the Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program and specifically Texas 4-H Shooting Sports for public relations purposes at special events such as donor/supporter functions and with the general public, peer groups, 4-H groups, community service groups, schools and media contacts. They serve as spokespersons for the 4-H Shooting Sports program, helping to make 4-H Shooting Sports programs more visible. The Ambassadors further develop their skills in leadership, public presentation, citizenship, community service, public relations and team building. Applicants must be senior 4-H members (14 or older as of September 1 of the current 4-H year) to be eligible. 2013 Applications are now available HERE (on the Texas 4-H Natural Resources website: texas4-h.tamu.edu/natural then select Shooting Sports Page). Completed application packets are due September 23, 2012. Please see the application file on the website for details. National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational Match and Texas Teams: Any active 4-H member, who is 14 years of age or older on September 1, 2012, and who meets all requirements including but not limited to information below is eligible to apply for 2013 Texas Teams to participate in the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational Match. Eligibility for membership on any Texas Team requires experience at the state level in all of the events that compose any given discipline. That experience must be documented by scores from within the past two years in each of the three areas comprising the set of events fired at the National Invitational. Team members will be selected from the pool of individual applicants for each discipline. 2013 Applications are now accessible HERE (on the Texas 4-H Natural Resources website: texas4-h.tamu.edu/natural then select Shooting Sports Page). Completed application packets are due September 23, 2012. Please see the application instructions on the website for details. WHEP National Invitational: Youth from the top team at each state WHEP contest are invited to participate in the annual National WHEP Invitational contest each summer. The contest is held in a different state each year, and includes professional networking and educational opportunities in addition to the contest itself. The first place team from the Texas WHEP Contest is the only group of individuals eligible to represent Texas at the National Invitational. 8

2012 Schedule of Events (Tentative) *TBD: To Be Determined *TBA: To Be Announced September: 15-16 Shooting Sports Coach Training-Benavides, TX-Registration Closed October: 13-14 South Region Shooting Sports Coach Training-Victoria, TX Registration Open September 3-28, 2012 on 4-H Connect $120/Coach Candidate, or Youth Assistant Coach Candidate. No charge for Extension Employees. November: November 5, 2012-March 15, 2013 Shooting Sports Postal League Matches (Excluding Shotgun Leagues) Registration Open October 1-November 4, 2012 on 4-H Connect $10/event, Scores due by March 31, 2013 December: Happy Holidays! 2013 January: Date TBD Archery Camp-Texas 4-H Conference Center, Brownwood, TX Registration TBD Late Registration TBD February: Date TBD Hunting & Wildlife Leader Training-College Station, TX Registration Open TBD $TBD/Coach, Leader or Youth Assistant Coach Candidate. $0/Extension Employee Late Registration TBD $TBD Date TBD Practice WHEP Contest-Leon County, TX Registration TBD March: April: May: June: Late Registration TBD Dates TBD Shooting Sports Indoor Archery Match-Graham & Bay City, TX Match Dates: March TBD, Graham March 7-9, Bay City Registration Open January 7-February 3, 2013 $25/Participant Late Registration February 4-10, 2013 $50/Participant 9 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo WHEP Contest-T&M Ranch, Richmond, TX Registration via HLSR Registration through your County Extension Office Registration dates and cost TBA with HLSR Event Information Date TBD North Region Shooting Sports Coach Training-Lubbock, TX Registration Open TBD $120/Coach Candidate, or Youth Assistant Coach Candidate. $0/Extension Employee Late Registration TBD $200 20 Shooting Sports Extravaganza-Texas 4-H Conference Center, Brownwood, TX Registration Open February 18 March 17, 2013 $20/Participant Late Registration March 18-24, 2013 $40/Participant Date TBD East Region Shooting Sports Coach Training-Tyler, TX Registration Open TBD $120/Coach Candidate, or Youth Assistant Coach Candidate. $0/Extension Employee Late Registration TBD $200 10-14 Texas 4-H Roundup-Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 9

July: August: Dates TBD Roundup Indoor Rifle Match-Location TBD Registration TBD Late Registration TBD 13 Roundup Wildlife Challenge-Texas A&M University, College Station, TX via general Roundup Registration Registration TBA with Roundup Event Info $TBA/Participant Late Registration TBA with Roundup Event Info $TBA/Participant 12-15 4-H Junior Olympic Shotgun Camp (JOSC)-Brazos County, TX Registration Open April 15-May 12, 2013 $TBD per Assistant Coach/Chaperone Late Registration May 13-19, 2013 $TBD per Assistant Coach/Chaperone 15-16 State WHEP Contest-Brazos County, TX Registration Open April 15-May 19, 2013 $15/Participant Late Registration May 20-26, 2013 $30/Participant Contest ecoregion will be Urban/Southeast Mixed 23-27 Outdoor Challenge Camp-Texas 4-H Conference Center, Brownwood, TX Registration Open April 29-May 26, 2013 Late Registration May 27-June 2, 2013 29-30 Outdoor Challenge-Texas 4-H Conference Center, Brownwood, TX Registration Open May 6-June 2, 2013 Late Registration June 3-9, 2013 15-20 (Tentative)Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Games: Archery & Shotgun-National Shooting Complex, San Antonio, TX Schedule TBD Registration Open May 1-June 16, 2013 Late Registration June 17-23, 2013 **NO Additional Registrations will be taken after late registration has closed. Dates TBD Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Games: Hunting & Wildlife, Muzzleloading, Pistol, & Rifle-Location TBA Schedule TBD Registration Open May 1-June 16, 2013 Late Registration June 17-23, 2013 **NO Additional Registrations will be taken after late registration has closed. 4-H Connect Re-enrollment begins for the new 4-H year. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program 4180 State Highway 6 College Station, TX 77845 Ph: 979/845-1214 Fax: 979/845-6495 Web: texas4-h.tamu.edu/natural Blog: tx4hnaturalresources.blogspot.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalresources 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 10