Did you know that your state Cooperative Extension
service has 4-H curriculum available to help teach youth about the outdoors,
about wildlife, and even about forestry? Through local 4-H community clubs and
special interest groups, opportunities exist to work with youth from age 8-18
teaching them about a wide range of outdoor related topics. A visit to the 4-HMall (4-hmall.org) shows a host of outdoor related curriculum books readily available
for youth, many with facilitator guides. Some outdoor related titles include
entomology, fishing, forestry, environment, and outdoor adventures. Combine
those with state level curriculum on everything from camping, wildlife
management, orienteering, archery, and riflery and there is no excuse not to
find something that will interest our youth and get them outside learning about
and experiencing nature.
So
how does 4-H work? 4-H is completely
volunteer driven, generally under the direction of a county based 4-H educator.
Local adult volunteers lead either community clubs or special interest groups.
4-H youth have the opportunity to participate in all kinds of projects, events,
and activities. While
activities focus mainly on the local 4-H club or group, members may also
participate in group activities and events such as fairs, trips, camps, teen
leader trainings, fundraising activities, achievement programs, community
service, as well as county, regional and state learning opportunities. 4-H relies
on parent and adult volunteer participation to help provide many of these
opportunities.
An
“Outdoors Club” would be one type of special interest group that could be
formed. There are many others, including livestock groups and even robotics! Members
of an outdoors club may
meet on a formal basis with elected youth officers and hold regular meetings,
or meet informally to work on projects or host activities. Monthly meetings
provide an opportunity to keep the membership up to date and plan upcoming
events. They also provide an opportunity to bring in special guests to work
with youth on particular topics of interest. For example, youth in Pennsylvania
might be preparing to attend the annual 4-H Wildlife and Forestry Field Day.
Sessions might revolve around hosting subject matter
experts who can work with youth to teach what they need to know to compete in
the forestry judging or wildlife habitat evaluation competitions.
To
start an outdoors club in your area begin by talking to your county 4-H Educator in the Cooperative
Extension office. Most counties are in need of adult volunteer leaders and
would welcome the opportunity to offer such a program in their area. Find out what
4-H in your state is already offering that may be outdoor related. As I
mentioned above, many outdoor related curriculum books already exist. Don’t be
deterred if you don’t feel you have the subject matter expertise, all you need
is the interest and the desire to work with youth and get them outdoors. Subject
matter experts can be brought in to teach things like how to plan a hike, shoot
a bow, use a compass, identify trees, or collect insects. The important thing
is to get started. Find a place to meet, advertise your club to the current 4-H
membership and to schools, put an ad in the local paper, and find a way to get
area youth and other adult leaders involved.
4-H Forestry is just one example of what 4-H has to offer that gets kids outdoors. There are many other
opportunities. An outdoors club may be just what is needed in your area to get
kids outside experiencing all Mother Nature has to offer. I hope you will
consider becoming a 4-H volunteer leader. Your leadership will provide youth
and your community with invaluable experiences. Contact your county 4-H coordinator to get started.
A new 2 minute video by the US Forest Service illustrates many of the positive effects on the bodies and minds of kids who play outdoors. Watch the video on You Tube here.
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