Youth Development (Bernalillo County)

County 4-H Home Economist planned and conducted a Leathercraft and Braiding Fun Day for Novice, Junior, and Senior Members. 15 youth from various clubs attended the fun day. Youth were able to learn about Leathercraft and Braiding. The day was divided into two sections. In the morning youth worked on leather craft and in the afternoon the youth took on braiding. In the morning youth learned about the tools needed for leathercraft and characteristics of the leather. Youth were able to make several practice items from scrap leather to practice their stamping techniques. Later in the morning each youth was able to complete a project illustrating their stamping techniques and work on lacing. In the afternoon the youth learned about the different braiding techniques and were able to make a keychain from a four plat round braid and a book mark from a six plat flat braid.

County 4-H Home Economist planned and conducted a Cultural Education Fun Day for Novice, Junior, and Senior Members. 7 youth from various clubs attended the fun day. Youth were able to learn about New Mexico Culture, crafts, history, and food. During the evening youth made dinner quesadillas with meat, cheese, rice, beans, and chili. They also discussed New Mexico food while creating recipe holders made from wood planks and clothes pins. Youth also had the opportunity to make corn husk dolls.

County 4-H Home Economist planned and conducted Consumer Decision Making Practices for Novice, Junior, and Senior Members during the months of January, February, March, April, May, and June. Youth Met 2 per month with seniors meeting weekly during the months of April, May, and June. Each month covered a new topic in the Home Economics Bowl Contest. Agent developed games and activities for the various materials covered for the youth to participate in. Classes were also created to prepared youth for the contest. Youth were able to learn about laundry detergent, jeans, sunglasses, toys, fishing rods, and gift cards. Approximately 6 youth were in attendance during the various practices. As a result approximately 8 youth participated in the county contest. 4 youth qualified for state conference were they placed 2nd.

County 4-H Home Economist planned and conducted Home Economics Practices for Novice, Junior, and Senior Members during the months of January, February, March, April, and May. Youth Met 2 per month. Each month covered a new topic in the Home Economics Bowl Contest, with 2 months of review. Agent developed games and activities for the various materials covered for the youth to participate in. Youth were able to learn My Pyramid, Place Settings, and a General Question bank. Approximately 3 youth were in attendance during the various practices. As a result Bernalillo County held its first Home Ec Contest for Novice and Juniors.

County 4-H Home Economist worked with RiverXchange coordinators and Children’s Water Festival Coordinator to present RiverXchange. RiverXchange is a program that matched 2 classes in Albuquerque with 2 classes in Missouri. The classes researched, did activities/projects and went on field trips to learn about the major river in their state. The classes met three times during the year to teach the classes in the other state about their river via Poly Com. Youth learned about 4-H, the Mississippi River, the Rio Grand River, about the respective rivers, and what they are used for.