AMES, Iowa -- Iowa 4-H’ers can take The $15 Challenge as part of their project work, according to Sue Bogue, program specialist with Iowa State University (ISU) Extension 4-H Youth Development. Participants are challenged to find outfits for $15 or less at garage sales, consignment stores or clothing resale stores such as Goodwill or Salvation Army. They can model the outfits during each county’s 4-H Clothing Event.

“This means the Clothing Event would have three categories—Clothing Selection, Fashion Revue and The $15 Challenge,” Bogue said. A receipt would be required and handwritten receipts would be accepted for garage sales. Counties could send up to three participants -- one male, one female, one minority -- to attend the event at the Iowa State Fair. Participants could attend one time, as in Clothing Selection.

 “Consumer education and the green movement to recycle are ongoing processes and the challenge will be a part of that,” Bogue said. “Rather than buying something under $15 just for the clothing event, 4-H’ers should consider look, fit and construction as well as whether the clothing is needed in their wardrobe.”

The $15 Challenge was piloted at the 2007 Iowa State Fair Clothing Event, Bogue said. Three young women helped pilot the idea, purchasing clothing at consignment stores to model during the Fashion Trends portion of the program. All 4-H clothing participants at the state fair were surveyed about adding the challenge to the clothing program.

An overwhelming majority (98 percent) of respondents indicated they would like to see this feature added in 2008. In addition, Bogue added, clothing judges, area coordinators and other adult volunteers said that the challenge would be an educational experience 4-H’ers could have fun with.

The challenge will use the same report and evaluation forms currently used for the Clothing Event, according to Bogue.

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. In Iowa the 4-H program is headquartered on the ISU campus in Ames and offered in every county through the local ISU Extension office.

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