This one-year adventure-based program is designed to provide youth in grades 6 and up with intensive hands-on exploration in an outdoor-related area of interest.
What you'll do
Deepen your knowledge about the outdoors.
Explore career opportunities in the outdoor industry.
Learn outdoor leadership and wilderness skills.
Be able to plan and lead conservation efforts at a local level.
Youth will meet through webinars, retreats and a five-day summer trip to learn about your chosen field of interest and other outdoor adventures.
Youth will also learn skills to implement a service-learning conservation project in your local area. You will have the option to showcase your project at the Minnesota 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife Invitational.
For participants
Apply in 4-H Online by Oct. 4, 2026
For assistance, refer to the 4-H Online event registration guide or contact your local Extension educator.
Non-members are welcome, but will need to enroll in 4-H Online first; club membership is not required. Select “In Person 4-H Camp/Event” as your club option to register for this event.
Cost
The program fee is $600.
This fee includes two retreats and a five-day canoe trip experience.
Payment instructions
- Make checks payable to: U of M
- Mail checks to:
Attn: Patty Kill
West Central Research & Outreach Center (WCROC)/UMN Extension
46359 State HWY 329
Morris, MN 56267
Note: Arrangements can be made to pay in installments.
2026-27 schedule
You must be able to commit to these scheduled events to maximize your experience in the program:
- Oct. 12, 8-9 p.m., Webinar
- Nov. 21-22, Retreat at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in East Bethel
- Jan. 11, 7-9 p.m., Webinar
- Jan. 30-31, Retreat at Koinonia Retreat Center in Paynesville
- March 8, 8-9 p.m., Webinar
- April 12, 8-9 p.m., Webinar
- May 10, 8-9 p.m., Webinar
- June 21-24, Summer Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) canoe trip experience
2026-27 4-H OWLS offerings
Water quality
Explore the critical role water plays in our ecosystems and daily lives. From understanding the water cycle to learning about water conservation and pollution prevention, this session is designed to inspire a sense of responsibility toward our most precious resource.
Finding your way
Get ready for an exciting outdoor adventure! Youth will dive into orienteering, including how to read maps, use a compass and navigate with GPS units. Participants will build confidence in finding their way, understanding directions and connecting to the land we travel on.
Earth on us
By learning why our choices matter and exploring the science behind them, youth will begin to see themselves as capable environmental changemakers and grow simple actions that lead to lifelong patterns. Youth will learn how their connection to the environment is essential for building future generations.