4-H Outdoor Education & Recreation Project

Canoe floating in a lake near a wooded area

Do you like to go on adventures outdoors? Do you know how to prepare and be safe in the outdoors? Learn about that and much, much more in the outdoor education and recreation project area. Outdoor recreation consists of everything from canoeing and kayaking to birding and hiking. You probably do a lot of outdoor recreating without even realizing it!

Ages and Stages of Youth Development

Beginners

Beginners should identify several ways in which they already participate in outdoor recreation and look for avenues to learn new skills. They should also go on an adventure with friends or family!

Juniors

Juniors should try at least one new outdoor recreation activity. They should also begin learning about other opportunities that might not be available in their own community, such as white water rafting or rock climbing.

Seniors

Seniors should coordinate and implement an education day for younger members on outdoor recreation and safety. This might include teaching them a new skill, or simply helping them learn how to be safe outdoors.

4-H Programming Priorities

Leadership

One leadership aspect is challenging yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone. Outdoor recreation, when done safely, is a great way learn more about yourself!

Health & Wellness

Being healthy and fit is an important part of partaking in outdoor recreation. Youth must know their own abilities so they do not take on too much risk.

Science

Outdoor education and recreation are a natural extension of being curious in nature. By understanding ecology and conservation outdoor recreation is more meaningful.

Agriculture

A desire to participate in outdoor recreation also lends to participants wanting to care for the natural world, which leads to wise land management decisions.

Get Involved

two green conversation bubbles

Youth Voice

  • Demonstration correctly wearing a personal flotation device
  • Write a blog describing birds in your area
  • Illustrated talk on hiking experience
3 green outlines of hands

Community Service

  • Lead an outdoor activity for community members
  • Pick up trash along a popular trail
  • Fundraise for new equipment for a local park
green puzzle pieces

Career Connections

  • Park naturalist
  • Conservation officer
  • Wildlife manager
  • Camp director
  • Trail guide
  • Canoe guide
  • Wilderness EMT

Exhibit Ideas

  • Create a poster depicting birds you identified
  • Make a waterway visitor guide
  • Demonstrate how to tie various climbing knots
  • Make a poster with different safety equipment for outdoor activities
  • Put together a pocket survival kit

Learning Resources

Related Topics

4-H Projects, 4-H Environmental Education & Earth Science Project

Related Content

Youth judging fruits, vegetable and plants

4-H Bounty

4-H Bounty is a monthly club guide that focuses on leadership activities, community service, youth-in-action and specific project areas, as well as prepares youth and their families for county and state events.

The Butte-Lawrence-Jackson 4-H Range team.

South Dakota Teams Perform Well at National Land, Range & Homesite Judging Contest

June 08, 2022

After two years of cancellations, a record attendance of more than 1,000 FFA and 4-H members competed in the National Land, Range, and Homesite Judging contest according to the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, the contest’s main sponsor.

4-H youth exhibiting a cat to two judges.

South Dakota 4-H Seeks Project Committee Members

October 20, 2021

These committees cover a range in interests, from traditional animal projects and youth-in-action events, to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.