Younger 4-H members, ages 9-14, will have an opportunity to hone their skills in several 4-H program areas during the Junior Leadership Retreat set for Nov. 13-15 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 Mark Carroll, center program director. “This year’s program will focus on increasing knowledge and skills in five 4-H project areas–a livestock skill-a-thon, international and global education, leather crafting, share-the-fun and judging. This retreat has been a 4-H Conference Center tradition since the early 1970s.”

The retreat starts with registration at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, followed by general orientation at 9 p.m., then adult chaperone orientation at 9:30 p.m.

Carroll stressed that each county sending 4-H youth to the retreat must provide adult chaperones for the weekend.

Nov. 14 activities start at 7:30 a.m., followed by a flag ceremony and breakfast, with the first of the day’s three general assemblies beginning at 8:30 a.m. The remainder of the day will have concurrent sessions on the five programming areas to be emphasized. Evening activities will start at 6:15 p.m. with a flag lowering ceremony and dinner, followed by a 7:30 p.m. presentation on state and national opportunities for 4-H youth and a costumed theme dance.

Adjournment is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 15.

“While this is learning retreat, the main ingredient for the whole weekend is a sense of fun,” Carroll said. “The State 4-H Council members take pride in showcasing their creativity, which will become apparent at the Saturday Night Theme Dance. The theme for this year’s costume dance is the ‘Welcome to the Jungle.”

After the Saturday evening dance, campers will gather at the Texas Star for the closing ceremony and to reflect on the day’s activities. At that time, campers will be allowed to place a rock from their hometown into the Texas Star.

Individual registration is $115 for youth and $85 for adult chaperones. The fees include two-nights lodging, four meals, snacks and program fees. Online registration is currently available at http://texas4hcenter.tamu.edu.

For more information, contact Carroll at 325-784-5482, jmcarroll@ag.tamu.edu.