This two-year adventure-based program is 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
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.
In the first year, you will meet through webinars, retreats and a 4-day summer trip to learn about your chosen field of interest and other outdoor adventures. In the second year, you will take the skills learned and 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
The deadline to apply is Dec. 22, 2023. Registration is in 4-H Online.
For assistance with registration, please refer to the event registration guide. If you are new to 4-H, please select the "In Person Camp/Event" club for your county. If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact your local 4-H Extension educator.
The cost for the two-year program is $350, which includes three retreats and a canoe trip.
You must be able to commit to these 2024-2025 scheduled events to maximize your experience in the program:
- Jan. 18, 8-9 p.m.: Webinar
- Feb. 10-11: Retreat at Koinonia Retreat Center, Paynesville
- March 14, 8-9 p.m.: Webinar
- April Retreat: TBD
- May 21, 8-9 p.m.: Webinar
- July 24-28: Summer BWCA canoe trip
- 2024-2025: Conservation project, including a retreat
2024 4-H OWLS offerings
- Water quality and waterfowl - Understand the ecosystems of lakes, rivers and wetlands, learn about surface water and groundwater, and explore water quality and pollution, as well as the effects on waterfowl. We will focus on ducks and loons and how we can protect these species.
- Art in nature - Deepen your connection with nature through art and writing techniques and wildlife photography. We will learn how to use art and photography to conserve our outdoor spaces.
- Wildlife habitat management and upland game birds - Learn about wildlife habitat, including how to judge the quality of wildlife habitats and explore wildlife habitat management practices. We will focus on the habitats of wild turkeys, pheasants and grouse.
Contact
Nicole Pokorney, 4-H youth development educator, pokorney@umn.edu