by Paul Schattenberg
4-H members in third through eighth grade can hone their life skills during the Junior Leadership Retreat set for Nov. 9-11 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center at Lake Brownwood.
“The Junior Leadership Retreat features Texas 4-H Council members conducting hands-on educational workshops with younger 4-H members,” said Cari Snider, the center’s youth programs coordinator.
This year’s program will focus on five 4-H project areas — imagination, community service, chemistry, leadership initiatives and fashion.
“This retreat has been a 4-H Conference Center tradition since the early 1970s,” Snider said.
The retreat starts with registration at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, followed by general orientation at 9 p.m. and an adult chaperone orientation at 9:30 p.m. Adjournment is set for 10 a.m. Nov. 11 after a flag ceremony followed by breakfast, packing, cleaning the dorms and program wrap-up.
“Each county sending 4-H youth to the retreat must provide adult chaperones for the weekend,” Snider noted.
Snider said “while the retreat emphasizes learning, the main ingredient is a sense of fun.”
“Attendees learn useful information on a number of topics as well as important life skills such as leadership and teamwork,” she said. “One of the favorite activities from the during this retreat is the Saturday Night Theme Dance, and the theme for year’s costume dance will be Pirates.”
After the Saturday dance, campers will gather at the Texas Star for the closing ceremony and to reflect on the day’s activities. At that time, they will be allowed to place a rock from their hometown into the Texas Star.
Individual registration is $140 for youth and $90 for adult chaperones.
Fees include lodging and meals, and online registration is available at https://texas4hcenter.tamu.edu/. Click on the “Register Now” link. Late fees apply after Oct. 29.
For more information, contact Snider at 325-784-5482, cari.snider@ag.tamu.edu
