Large Turnout for Recent 4-H Natural Resources Rendezvous
More than 75 young people attended the first 4-H Natural Resources Rendezvous held recently at Briarfield Ironworks State Park near Calera.
For many of the young people, the rendezvous provided an opportunity to try a number of outdoor activities for the first time.
Participants, who ranged in age from 9 to 18, were divided into small teaching groups and rotated during the day among activities. There were learning stations in aquatic ecology, sportfishing, archery, muzzle loaders, shotguns and .22 rifles.
Dr. Emily Kling, a 4-H program specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, says the rendezvous provided a unique opportunity for young people to experience the fun and the challenge of outdoor activities.
“Many of these kids were from urban and suburban areas and had never had an opportunity to experience such a wide range of outdoor sports,” said Kling. “At the rendezvous, they had those opportunities. More importantly, those opportunities were in a controlled setting with trained instructors who emphasized safety and ethics.”
Conservation enforcement officers with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as well as Extension professionals served as instructors for the event.
NASCAR driver Ward Burton visited the rendezvous and spent the afternoon interacting with the young people.
Kling explained that Burton has had a long interest in natural resource education and 4-H.
“He and his son came over after Burton completed his practice runs at Talladega Motor Speedway,” she said. “Burton spoke with the young people and emphasized the importance of preserving our natural resources even as we enjoy their beauty and bounty. That’s a message both Alabama 4-H and the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation believe strongly in.”
The 4-H Natural Resources Rendezvous was sponsored by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Alabama 4-H has a diverse natural resources and environmental education curriculum. More than 38,000 young people participated in some facet of environmental and natural resources programs last year.
4-H is the youth development program of Extension. In Alabama, nearly 180,000 youth are involved in 4-H through a variety of clubs, groups, programs and other activities. Alabama 4-H is the state’s oldest youth development organization, with programs beginning as early as 1906.
Posted by at October 11, 2004 11:21 AM