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
The deadline to apply is Oct. 4, 2024.
The application is in 4-H Online.
For assistance with applying in 4-H Online, 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 program is $400, which includes two retreats and a five-day canoe trip experience. Note: Arrangements can be made to pay in installments.
You must be able to commit to these 2024-2025 scheduled events to maximize your experience in the program:
- Oct. 15, 8-9 p.m. - Webinar
- Nov. 23-24 - Retreat at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in East Bethel
- Dec. 17, 8-9 p.m. - Webinar
- Jan.21, 8-9 p.m. - Webinar
- Feb. 8-9 - Retreat at Koinonia Retreat Center in Paynesville
- March 11, 8-9 p.m. - Webinar
- April 15, 8-9 p.m. - Webinar
- May 20, 8-9 p.m. - Webinar
- June 23-27 - Summer Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) canoe trip experience
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