Youth Development

2011 North East District Shooting Sports Contest

Agent with the assistance of the County Agriculture Agent and the County Home-Economist conducted the Northeast District Shooting Sports Contest. Also two of our certified 4-H shooting sports leaders assisted us as well. Along with Colfax County youth there were 4-H members from Harding, Mora, Union, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Rio Arriba. It was held at the NRA Whittington Center. There were 52 shooters total. Many youth shot in two events. There were 33 Archery shooters, 37 rifle, and 10 shotgun. We had 3-position .22 rifle matches in Light and Target rifle. We had shotgun competition which included trap and skeet. In addition, we had both traditional and compound archery. We had about thirty-seven rifle shooters on the line. It was a really good contest.

2011 Operation Military Kids – Community Service

The Colfax County 4-H Council decided to join the Rocky Mountain 4-H Club in conducting a community service project for kids of military personnel that have been deployed. Several kids and adults showed up to help make decorated journals for the deployed military personnel and their children. We also made pillowcases that will eventually have the military personnel’s or their children’s pictures screen printed on them. Our county had 30 people attend and we made 63 decorated journals and 15 pillowcases.

2011 Colfax County Shooting Sports Program

Agent planned and held a shooting sports leaders meeting. Invitations were sent to all shooting sports members and parents. Arrangements were made at a local restaurant to host our meeting, and an agenda was made. Practices were scheduled, paperwork was taken care of and fundraising was discussed. Leaders were identified and county, state, and district contests were discussed. At this meeting youth were asked to set goals and to plan and organize their year as far as the shooting sports project goes. It was a very successful year.

One of the goals that youth set was to increase the shooting sports funds. They were so far down that this year if we did not do the fundraising the fund could not pay their entry fees to the District and State Shoot as it annually does. The shooting sports youth were able to get involved in two major fundraisers. One was the American Petroleum Institute’s Annual Golf Tournament, and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association’s Annual Trap Shoot. As a result the youth were able to raise $2,890.00. Not to mention they got the publicity and notoriety of being out there and as a result have a lot of interested perspective members.

2011 Welcome to New Mexico 4-H Workshop

Agent and County Home-Economist conducted a “Welcome to New Mexico 4-H Workshop” for seven youth. It was geared toward newer members in order to have a better understanding of 4-H. They covered the history of 4-H, the motto, slogan, creed, and emblem. We learned the 4-H Pledge. The youth made a 4-H picture frame that they painted and decorated and can enter in the County Fair. Agents guided youth in how to enter items in the County Fair. Youth learned about leadership opportunities. They learned about the citizenship and community service components of 4-H.Youth were taught how to put together a record book, and how to give a demonstration. Finally youth were lead through a few brief samples of contests that they could enter. Each youth reported having a good time and wanting to return next year.

2011 Colfax County Fundraising

Colfax County youth worked with adult partners to solicit donations and sponsorships for 4-H programming, scholarships and county fair needs as well conducting fundraisers. The County conducted a variety of fundraisers to send youth on trips; provide for countywide trainings and socials; and maintain funds for general operations. Fundraisers included raffles, bake sales, dances, and horseshows. The county raised over $2,500 toward providing quality programs. Youth gained knowledge and skills in organizing fundraisers and managing money as well as constructive youth/adult partnerships.