Welcome to the Dallas County 4-H Blog. Learn all there is to know about important information pertaining to 4-H projects, meetings and events in Dallas County, Texas.
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George's Spring Break 4-H Camp at Gecko Hardware
What do you get when 4-H partners with a local hardware store and a farm credit bank to host a kids’ camp over spring break? Something truly amazing!
The Dallas County 4-H program, Gecko Hardware, and Lone Star Ag Credit have become more than community partnership…they have become family. Dallas County 4-H Agent, Dr. Tamra McGaughy, has been seeking out new opportunities to recruit youth into 4-H as part of the Let’s Go, Let’s Grow state-wide initiative started by Texas 4-H. A chance meeting with Andrea Ridout from Gecko Hardware, a True Value store, turned into something spectacular during the 2015 Spring Break week. In addition, Lone Star Ag Credit sponsored a health snack break for the kids each day, contributing $400 to the camp.
Many people near the White Rock Lake part of Dallas have come to know George the Rooster, Gecko Hardware’s in store mascot. The idea for George to host a Spring Break camp at the store was a win-win for both Gecko Hardware and 4-H. Ms. Rideout wants Gecko to be a place the community can come to learn about gardening, raising chickens, and living a sustainable lifestyle. Therefore having 4-H conduct fun educational sessions over spring break was a perfect fit. On the other hand, 4-H is always looking for local places in the community to conduct fun engaging programs for youth, so using Gecko’s in store classroom was a great opportunity.
Youth from across the Dallas County were invited to attend the camp, which ran from nine to noon Monday through Friday. A total of 53 campers ages 6 to 13 attended camp at some point in the week; families paid $10 a day or $40 for the week. The funds collected assisted in covering educational supplies for camp projects and will provide scholarships for campers wishing to join 4-H.
The camp focused on multiple 4-H project areas each day, so kids had the opportunity to explore all aspects of the program. As kids arrived on the first day of camp they learned about the historical roots of 4-H and attended sessions on plant and animal science. Campers showcased their design talents by creating their own “show and grow” sombrero, which incorporated things plants need to live. In addition, each camper planted a seed to take home using a recycled water bottle. Jeff Raska, the 4-H Program Assistant did a show and tell with baby chicks and discussed how chickens have become an integral part of many urban homes.
On day two, campers experienced the National 4-H Youth Day Science Experiment: Rocket to the Rescue. Campers were challenged to think like aerospace engineers to design a rocket, which could deliver food to an island stuck by a natural disaster. After designing and building their rockets, each team launched their rocket using air pressure to see who had the winning design. Teams also tested their engineering skills by building the tallest structure they could using only mini marshmallows and dry spaghetti noodles.
The third day of camp introduced youth to 4-H Robotics and the 4-H Food Challenge. Mr. Derrick Bruton, the Texas 4-H Robotics Coordinator challenged the campers to a robot race using Lego Mindstorm EV3s. Each team was given a robotics kit and a set of plans to use in building their robot, and then the teams had to use an ultrasonic sensor to get their robot to follow them in a relay race. Camper also explored the world of culinary arts by in participating in a food challenge. In teams of three, campers were even a set of culinary tools and a mystery bag of ingredients to create a dish. Teams were given only 20 minutes to cook and clean up their areas, then each team gave a presentation to their parents on what they made and how they prepared the dish.
The fourth day of camp focused on fashion and photography. Campers designed their own scarf and hair clips using old t-shirts, focusing on re-fashioning something old into something new. In addition, campers helped make cameo pillows for military families. There was also a lot of fun a camp, when the kids were asked to adventure out into the store for a photo scavenger hunt. Campers had three objectives, 1- look for elements of design, 2- look for dominant colors, 3- look for animals. All campers were able to use a camera provided by the 4-H office and encouraged to enter the upcoming 4-H photography contest. Before leaving kids learned how to transfer a picture to a piece of wood, which once the wood is dry and the sheet of paper is removed it reveals the picture beneath.
The camp ended on Friday with an insect adventure and a sock puppet show. The North Texas Master Naturalist introduced many cool facts about insects to the campers and let them design their own insect. Campers also had an opportunity to examine properly preserved insects and look at them under a microscope. During the camp snack break, Ms. Ridout brought George the Rooster to come visit and told the campers how Gecko Hardware became George’s permanent home as a therapy rooster. The campers wrapped up the week designing their own sock puppet and conducting a puppet show. Throughout the week kids and parents alike were excited about the spring break camp and asked if 4-H would host more educational activities at Gecko Hardware in the summer. We even have some families ready to sign up for camp next spring break! All campers have been invited to join a local 4-H club and to become a permanent part of the 4-H family.
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The Dallas County 4-H Council voted to host a dinner fundraiser on Sun. Feb. 15th at the Dallas County AgriLife Extension Office. The Valentine’s Lucky Heart Café will be open for one night only. This fundraiser will specifically assist 4-H members planning to attend State 4-H Round-up in College Station, Texas.
We will only accept 20 reservations per seating. The meal will be at least four courses (salad, appetizer, main dish, and dessert). Final reservations will be Fri. Feb 13th, so please share this soon.
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Dallas County 4-H Food Show
The Dallas County 4-H Food Show will be hosted at the 4-H Office on Sat. Feb 7th. Arrival times will be set at the close of registration on Friday, Jan. 30th. Contest information is included below, in addition to the state guidelines being attached. This is a qualifying contest to advance to district. Only the first place dish in each category per age division (total of 12 dishes) will advance. Participants must submit the same dish at all levels of competition.
Contest Format:
The 4-H Food Show is an individual competition for members in which they can demonstrate their cooking skills and nutrition knowledge. All participants select, prepare and bring a dish they want to submit. Participants will choose to submit a recipe in one of four entry categories: Protein, Fruit/Vegetable, Grains, and Dairy. The categories also provide an opportunity for contestants to exhibit a variety of food presentation principles. Many recipes can be entered in more than one category. Participants should consult with the website
http://www.choosemyplate.gov when selecting a recipe category.
Contest Theme:
Bringing Texas to the Table
Pick your favorite dish which features Texas ingredients. If local, Texas grown and produced foods are available and economical, include them in your dish. Otherwise, use items that represent Texas foods such as pecans grown elsewhere.
Contest Divisions:
Youth will be competing against kids within their own age division:
Junior (age 8 to 10)
Intermediate (age 11 to 13)
Senior (age 14 to 18)
Age is considered as of August, 31st 2014. Do not round up.
Judging Process
NO food will be tasted during judging. All contestants will be interviewed and judged on the following criteria:
1. Introduction/Presentation
Each contestant will start with a maximum three-minute presentation to introduce themselves and their dish. You should describe your inspiration in choosing your recipe and how it relates to the theme, Bringing Texas to the Table.
2. Question and Answer
Judges will have the opportunity for a five-minute interview asking questions applicable to the attached scorecard. It includes but is not limited to basic nutrition, food safety and preparation as well as project experiences. Being familiar with the information from the recommended study resources in the Guidelines will improve your interview success.
3. Serving
At the conclusion of the question and answer period you will have one-minute to serve the judges a portion of your dish. This will allow judges to visually evaluate the dish you have prepared. Contestants are encouraged to practice proper food handling techniques when presenting food to the judges.
The Food
The food should be presented in a serving dish with a serving utensil. The dish should be presented to the judges as if it were about to be placed on a table for a family dinner. In some instances, it is not necessary to present to the judges the entire recipe. For example, if a recipe makes two loaves of bread, only one loaf needs to be presented for judging. Serve judges only a small portion of food using the provided paper products.
Fancy or elaborate placemats, linens, centerpieces, candles, etc., are not to be included with the dish as it is presented for judging interviews. Contestants should use only serving dishes and utensils appropriate and necessary to present and serve the dish to be judged.
Registration
This contest is free to enter. Submit the 4-Hers name, food show category and recipe (actual recipe) to Dr. Tamra McGaughy by Fri. Jan. 30th. [email protected]
Feel free to contact me if you have additional questions.
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Texas 4-H is home to over 600,000 youth state wide. Why are you waiting? Come join the fun!
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Welcome to the District IV 4-H and Youth Development home page. The district is made up of 22 counties in northeast Texas with the headquarters located in Dallas County.
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