This event is open to all registered Texas 4-H members, including Clover Kids
What is a Skill-a-thon?
The Virtual Skill-a-thon is comprised of two parts:
- Learn to Earn Educational Opportunities – to provide information in which youth participants and adults can gain knowledge on fishing tips and techniques, both for freshwater and saltwater species. No fee to participate.
- Reel ‘em in Tournament – scheduled dates for 4-H youth to fish at their location with the chance of winning monthly and overall tournament awards and prizes.
Follow the 5 steps below in numerical order to participate in the tournament portion of the skill-a-thon:
Step 1: 4-H Enrollment
- Be enrolled in 4-H as a youth member (3rd – 12th grades) or Clover Kid (K – 2nd grades) for the 2022-2023 year.
- If you are not in 4-H, join by setting up your family profile on 4HOnline at https://texas.4honline.com or contact your local county Extension agent for assistance with enrollment in your county 4-H program.
- Not sure who is your county agent? Click this link to enter your county name and find contact information: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/counties
Step 2: Event Registration
- Spring Event
- February 1, 2023 – Registration will open on 4HOnline https://texas.4honline.com
- March 7, 2023 – Regular registration closes and late registration begins
- Select 2023 Texas 4-H Virtual Reel ‘em in – Spring from the event list
- Register and compete as an individual angler ( 4-H member or Clover Kid) (no team entries)
- March 31, 2023 – Last date to register to participate in the spring tournament. Only those registered on 4-H Online by the deadline will be eligible to participate.
- Summer Event
- April 17, 2023 – Registration opens on 4HOnline https://texas.4honline.com
- May 21, 2023 – Regular registration closes and late registration begins
- Select 2023 Texas 4-H Virtual Reel ‘Em In – Summer for the event list.
- Register and compete as an individual angler ( 4-H member or Clover Kid) (no team entries)
- June 30, 2023 – Last date to register to participate in the summer tournament. Only those registered on 4HOnline by the deadline will be eligible to participate.
- 4-H youth anglers (grades 3rd – 12th): You may register for either division or both. The entry fee is per 4-H angler per division.
- ➢ Freshwater Division: $50
- ➢ Saltwater Division: $50
- Note: We are unable to issue any refunds once your payment has been submitted.
- Clover Kids participate for bragging rights and a certificate. Photos of Clover Kids with their “big fish” can be posted to the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Facebook group, if desired. https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=texas%204-h%20natural%20resources
- Clover Kids do not earn a place on the FishDonkey leaderboard. and DO NOT set-up a profile on the FishDonkey app.
- There is no fee for their participation, however, they must be registered on 4HOnline.
If you are a Clover Kid, SKIP TO STEP 4.
Step 3: Download Judging App
- After your payment has been accepted in 4HOnline, go to FishDonkey to download the app to your mobile device and/or computer.
- There is no fee for participants to use this app.
- Set up your profile in FishDonkey. Select the Division you choose in 4HOnline (Freshwater and/or Saltwater). If you registered for BOTH divisions, make sure you choose to participate in both.
- 2023 Spring Texas 4-H Virtual Reel ‘em in – Freshwater
- 2023 Spring Texas 4-H Virtual Reel ‘em in – Saltwater
- When setting up your profile, in the “Street 2” box, list the county of your 4-H club.
- On the app, use the tutorial to practice how to measure and upload pics.
- Questions? See FishDonkey App Tip sheets on the last page for additional information.
Step 4: Fish the Tournament – Judging Criteria under Rules & Guidelines
Spring Event
- On March 20, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. the app will open for you to begin uploading your pictures of your fish to be judged and posted to the official leaderboard.
- The spring tournament closes on May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
Summer Event
- On June 12, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. the app will open for you to begin uploading your pictures of your fish to be judged and posted to the official leaderboard.
- The summer tournament closes on August 23, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
Step 5: Complete the Post-Survey
- A link and QR code will be emailed to 4-H participants to complete a short survey to tell us about your skill-a-thon participation experience. An optional survey will be provided adults via email to provide feedback on the program.
- ➢ May 28-June 12 – spring tournament survey will be open for completion.
- ➢ August 20-September 5 – summer tournament survey will be open for completion.
- Note: Awards and prizes will only be provided 4-H members in which fee has been received and post-survey completed (a reminder will be sent to you).
Resources: