Extension is expanding its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions.
4-H Outdoor Wilderness Leadership and Service (OWLS) Program
The 4-H Outdoor Wilderness Leadership and Service (OWLS) Program is an adventure-based program designed to provide youth in grades 6-11 with intensive hands-on exploration in an area of interest associated with the outdoors.
What you'll do
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Deepen your knowledge about the outdoors
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Explore career opportunities in the outdoor industry
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Learn outdoor leadership and wilderness skills
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Be able to plan and lead conservation efforts at a local level
In the first year, youth will meet through webinars, retreats and a 4-day summer trip to learn about their chosen field of interest and other outdoor adventures. In the second year, youth will take the skills learned and implement a service-learning conservation project in their local area. Youth will have the option to showcase their project at the Minnesota 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife Invitational.
For participants
Applicants must be in grades 6-11 at the time they apply. Youth new to 4-H will be enrolled in 4-H after applying for OWLS.
Applications and payments are still being accepted.
Youth must be able to commit to these 2020-2021 scheduled events to maximize their experience in the program:
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Webinar, Jan. 14 at 8 p.m.
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Retreat, Feb. 15-16, Camp Koronis, Paynesville
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Webinar, March 10 at 8 p.m.
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Retreat, April 25-26, Camp Wilderness, Park Rapids, MN
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Webinar, May 12 at 8 p.m.
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Summer BWCA Trip, June 17-20, Northern MN
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Webinar, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m.
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Service-Learning Conservation Project, Fall 2020-Spring 2021.
2020 4-H OWLS offerings
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Wildlife Habitat and Conservation: Youth will learn the skills to evaluate and develop conservation plans for wildlife habitats through learning best practices and hands-on outdoor experiences.
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Nature Art: Youth will learn how to tell their nature story through a variety of artful expressions. Paint, pencil, charcoal, nature items and more will all be part of this track.
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Animal Tracking: Youth will learn how to identify animals by tracks, scat and other signs to help to understand animal behaviors and environment.
Retreat experiences
- Track of Knowledge learning.
- Opportunities for team building and personal growth.
- Outdoor skills building (camping, GPS, orienteering, first aid, campfire cooking).
- Exposure to professionals in the outdoor industry.
- Creative reflection activities.
- Ethical and responsible instruction in the outdoors principles.
Webinar topics
- Introduction to 4-H OWLS and the learning experience.
- Preparing for the retreats and the summer trip.
- Service learning and conservation project planning.
- Additional resources and outdoor instruction.
For questions, contact Nicole Pokorney at 507-536-6304 or pokorney@umn.edu.