by Paul Schattenberg
A weekend Re-Fashion Retreat will be held Feb. 9-11 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center, 5600 Farm-to-Market Road 3021 near Brownwood, said a program coordinator.
The retreat is open to all 4-H members and adult chaperones. The cost for the retreat is $120 for youth and $90 for adults who register by Jan. 26. An additional 10 percent will be added for late registration. The cost includes two nights lodging, four meals, two evening snacks and all program fees.
Activities include hands-on instruction and educational sessions conducted by members of the Texas 4-H Clothing and Textiles advisory board as well as AgriLife Extension agents and specialists, said Cari Snider, 4-H youth development program coordinator, Brownwood.
“Participants engage in hands-on skills assessment, workshops aimed at increasing knowledge and developing skills for refashioning garments and shopping for clothing on a very limited budget,” she said.
Each youth member must be accompanied by an adult. All adults must enroll as a 4-H volunteer, have a verified background check and complete child protection training in 4-H Connect before attending the retreat.
To register, go to the center’s website at http://texas4hcenter.tamu.edu/ and click on the “Register Now” link.
“The retreat is a state-level development program focused on increasing knowledge and skills as part of a full weekend of fun and interesting activities,” Snider said.
This year’s retreat will include the Duds to Dazzle contest in which youth purchase an older clothing item from a local thrift store and refashion it into a new item.
“Teams work to create a new product using only their sewing supply kit, sewing closet, and sewing and design skills,” Snider said. “They get a chance to use their design and sewing construction skills along with their knowledge of textiles and entrepreneurship skills to design and market their newly created items.”
Teams will share their craftsmanship during the retreat’s style show.
“We will have representatives from the clothing and textile industry speak to the 4-H’ers about fashion-related careers along with the education and skill requirements needed to succeed in those careers,” Snider said.
