CONTEST INFORMATION

Schedule.  Below is a tentative schedule for the CDM contest.  Times are subject to change.                        

Registration.  Each participating member is required to register on 4-H Connect and pay the district $10.00 contest registration fee.  Registration will open on March 12 and close at midnight April 12, 2019.

Participation. Contestants must be active 4-H members enrolled in a Texas 4-H and Youth Development county program in District IV.  Contestants must also be academically eligible (according to UIL rules) to compete on the day of the contest.  A contestant may compete as an individual or as a member on a team.

Age. Age divisions are determined by a participant’s grade as of September 1 of the current 4-H year.  Age divisions for this contest are:

Entries per county. Each county may enter unlimited teams/individuals per age division listed above. The top 3 senior teams and/or individuals (if they are not already on one of the top 3 teams) will advance to state.

Members per team.   Teams consist of 3 or 4 members of the same age.  Junior members will be allowed to move up to the intermediate age division in order to complete a team. Juniors and intermediates are not allowed to move up to the senior age division.

Awards.  1st through 5th place individual and team awards in each age division will be presented.  Awards will be presented for overall and reasons scores.

Participants with disabilities.  Any competitor who requires auxiliary aids or special accommodations must contact the District Extension Office, or note when registering on 4-H Connect, at least 2 weeks before the competition to request such needs.

Contest Rules.  District IV follows the rules set forth in the Texas 4-H Consumer Decision Making Contest Guide.  Contestants will judge 5 classes from the current category study guide (linked below) and one mystery class.  Juniors will not give any reasons.  Intermediates will give one set of reasons.  Seniors will give two sets.

Classes

• Fast Food Meals
• Athletic Shoes
• Activewear
• Digital cameras
• Handsfree Bluetooth Car Kits
• Outdoor Equipment
• Cookware
• Mystery

Class category study guide:  http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016-17_CDM_Best_Consumer_Decision.pdf

Beyond the information found in the study guide, members are encouraged to research credible resources for additional consumer/product information.

Contestants will use the Universal A scan sheet to record their placings.  Please make sure they are familiar with the sheet prior to judging.  An example of one can be viewed here:  https://www.judgingcard.com/ScanSheets/samples/705A-12.pdf

Resource Links.

•  http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/consumer_decision_making_best2.pdf
• http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/consumer-education/

Video Tips

• CDM Judging – Part 1
• CDM Judging – Part 2