Winter Online Workshops

Next Up: Watch for 2022-2023 Dates!

Previous Workshops

December 21, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Mountain:
​
​Virtual Introduction to the 4-H Western Heritage Project

Join us on Zoom to learn what the 4-H Western Heritage Project is all about.

January 25, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Mountain
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/i740Yl4BhUJ46SgJe0EZdKqBsVXzMxVTn6f7NubQwZHETfw_NDFq9D03-SUOQTTp.Iyxz5ii6ZlcI5eAp

​Building Paper Cartridges for Percussion Revolvers

Learn the advantage of paper cartridges for percussion (cap and ball) revolvers and build one during this online workshop just like those used in the Civil War.  You will find most supplies already in your home.

Things you will need:
  • Coffee Filter for a drip coffee maker - this will be the paper cartridge
  • Ground Coffee (replaces black powder) - tear open a Keurig cup, it should be enough
  • Wooden Dowel - 3/8 inch diameter (.375 caliber) and about 5 inches long
  • Coarse Sand Paper (to shape the dowel)
  • Glue Stick
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • One Dime
  • .375" Lead Round Ball, Bullet, or roll one out of Play Dough
  • Wax (Paraffin is the best, but any old candle will do)
  • Card stock paper (to make a template for tracing on the filter paper)​
Preparation for the Virtual Workshop

Make your paper cartridge template before the meeting.
1. go to https://www.templatemaker.nl/en/cone/
2. type in top diameter .36, bottom diameter .292, height .96, glue flap angle 70, glue flap size .35
3. for margin, type 0, page size, select "you decide", then page width 8.5, page height 11, resolution 72
4. select pdf, then click on the "Create" button.
5. a pdf of the template should be created at the bottom of your screen.
6. print the pdf on plain paper and cut the shape out with scissors.
7. trace the shape on card stock or some kind of stiff paper and cut out.  This is the template you will use to trace     
    and cut the coffee filter paper into cartridges.

Prepare Your Dowel
1. Make a pencil mark on the dowel at an inch from one end.
2. wrapping the end of the towel with sandpaper, taper the one inch section from the full diameter at the pencil
     mark to about 5/16" diameter at the end of the dowel.  It doesn't have to be exact, but your dowel should have a
     cone shape on the end with a flat bottom.  The remaining 4 inches above the 1 inch mark is a handle to hold the
     dowel while forming cartridge on the tapered end.
​
You are now ready for the workshop.
February 22, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Mountain
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/YI3dR63VDdbyIeVT3XUnmubCouZGe6e0eQ5vUkZgGi_vIGQEWGTtKfepyncs_0Dh.JPiflHHUANvgu4Fd


​Making Pemmican
Picture


​Pemmican is a Native American dried food made of meat, nuts, berries, and animal fat that supplied a high level of protein and remained preserved for extended periods of time.

Join us on Monday, February 22 at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Time as we make a version of pemmican using peanut butter and jerky as the protein source.

Here are the ingredients you will need to participate:
  • 1 part jerky (we are going to grind it into powder, so use a dry form of jerky, not a sticky one)
  • 1 part peanuts, pecans, or other favorite nut
  • 1 part raisins
  • 1 part seedless dried fruit like apples, peaches, blueberries, etc.
  • Peanut butter and honey
  • Cayenne pepper (this is optional, but some people like the added zip)

We will make our Peanut Butter Pemmican together as a virtual group.
March 22, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Mountain
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82200962828?pwd=T0c4VGVEK2trS3pvVVdIV1YwR3hLQT09
 
Meeting ID: 822 0096 2828
Passcode: 173580

Homemade Bullet Lube

​
​Bullet lube, also referred to as bore butter, serves two vital functions in black powder firearms.  Without lube, black powder fouling is hard and chalky and will disable the action of a repeating firearm.  A primary purpose of a proper lube is to keep the black powder fouling soft.  This allows a revolver to rotate and a lever action to continue functioning.  Soft fouling also improves accuracy as bullet after bullet plows through the fouling.

The second function of bullet lube is to reduce the amount of lead a bullet leaves as it travels down the barrel.  Accuracy diminishes as lead fills the grooves in the rifling.

To fully participate in this workshop, you will need the following supplies:
  • 1 pound of bee's wax, grated
  • 1 pound of lard or Crisco shortening
  • Four 4 ounce microwaveable containers with lids
  • Measuring spoons;
  • Microwave
  • Kitchen scale (if available)

This is hot stuff. Adults must be present.
Hardtack for Hard Times

April 12, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Mountain
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82200962828?pwd=T0c4VGVEK2trS3pvVVdIV1YwR3hLQT09
 
Meeting ID: 822 0096 2828
Passcode: 173580

​Hardtack is an extremely hard, often square, biscuit baked from flour, water, and salt.   It is an easily transportable staple diet item, especially for travelers, and has been used for centuries.  It can be stored for long period of time and remains edible.  Hardtack is most commonly known as military rations for sailors and soldiers since the Roman Legions.  It was not referred to as “hardtack” until the name was coined by soldiers in the US Civil War: 1861 – 1865.

John Borba - State 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator for California will lead this workshop.
You will have the opportunity to make your own hardtack during this workshop.  Needed items are:

 Cookie Sheet                  Cutting board, smooth                 Flour, white, 3 cups         Knife                                                     Measuring cup                Measuring teaspoon                     Mixing bowl                       Oven
 Rolling pin                       Ruler                                                Salt, 2 teaspoons              Skewer or ice pick
 Spatula                             Spoons, mixing                              Timer                                  Water, 1 cup
Basic Hardtack Recipe
Ingredients:
  • 3 cups white flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons salt
These ingredients will yield approximately twelve 3” x 3” x ½” biscuits/crackers.

​Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Mix flour, salt, and water together in a bowl.
  3. Knead dough and roll out until it is ½” thick.
  4. Cut dough into 3” x 3” squares.
  5. Poke four rows of four holes in the biscuits/crackers using a skewer.
  6. Lay biscuits/crackers on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  7. Bake in oven for 30 minutes.
  8. Remove from oven, flip biscuits/crackers over, bake for another 30 minutes.
  9. Remove biscuits/crackers when they are a light golden brown color.
  10. Let cool before eating.
Cherokee Clothing and Societal Influences

April 26, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Mountain
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82200962828?pwd=T0c4VGVEK2trS3pvVVdIV1YwR3hLQT09
 
Meeting ID: 822 0096 2828
Passcode: 173580

​​Members of the Cherokee Nation transitioned from deer hide clothing to settler's clothing in about 200 years. Clothing reflects what trends or influences are active in a society at any particular time - much like changes in fashion in America during the 20th century. 

Mark D Parman, Evaluation & Outcomes Measurement Spec and Community & Cultural Outreach for the Cherokee Nation will guide us through Cherokee history.