4-H Youth Development

Head. Heart. Hands. Health. These four components are the foundation of the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program. A new program that kicks off in May will focus on health and getting youth outside into nature.

 

Nature Navigators – Wellness in the Wild is a new curriculum designed to get club members outdoors and learning more about natural resources, said Cathy Allen, 4-H curriculum coordinator at the state 4-H office at Oklahoma State University.

 

The new curriculum is a joint effort between Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development and OSU’s Department of Natural Resource Ecology Management, and is co-authored by Cathy Allen and Kevin Allen, OSU Extension youth natural resource education specialist and professor in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management.

 

“Research shows that hiking and spending time in nature offers numerous health benefits for children, supporting not only their physical well-being but also their mental well-being,” Allen said. “Some key areas we hope to enhance through this new program are cognitive development, problem-solving skills, and a connection to nature and environmental stewardship.”

 

Nature Navigators is divided into four seasonal lessons, with each segment focusing on exploring, e-learning lessons, skill development, physical activity, a mindful moment and a healthy snack.

 

The spring segment can be used through May and will focus on birds of Oklahoma. Participants will learn about the wonderful world of birding, using binoculars and the responsible use of electronic bird calls. They’ll also learn about photographing the birds they see.

 

The summer segment takes place from June through August. Pollinators are a vital part of the ecosystem and club members will learn more about bees and the role they play in pollinating plants. Safety is always a priority in the 4-H program and participants will discover what needs to be included in a first aid kit. Because everyone needs to be prepared when in the great outdoors, they’ll also learn more about things they should pack for all types of weather.

 

The fall segment of the Nature Navigators curriculum focuses on outdoor skills, including using a compass and pacing. Learning how to navigate when out in nature is important.

 

“4-H’ers may be in areas where they don’t have cellphone reception, so knowing how to orient themselves using a compass is important,” Kevin Allen said.

 

The winter segment is designed to help club members appreciate the natural world. They’ll learn about the Leave No Trace philosophy, as well as making a minimal impact when outdoors.

 

“The flexibility of this new curriculum is great for the 4-H program,” Cathy Allen said. “It’s designed in a manner that youth can work on their own at their own pace, it can be a club or family activity, or it could be a special interest club.”

 

Kevin Allen said participants don’t have to live near a state or national park or be close to a nature reserve to participate in Nature Navigators.

 

“Youth can explore in their backyard or at the local park,” said Kevin Allen. “Or, the family can take a road trip to one of Oklahoma’s 38 state parks, five national wildlife refuges or two state wildlife management areas. The point is to get outside, discover what nature has to offer, learn new skills and reap the health benefits of outdoor activity.”

 

For more information, contact Cathy Allen at (405) 744-8892 or cathy.allen@okstate.edu. The first lesson will be released after in-service training in May.