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(5) National 4-H GreenCamps Certification Initiative: A Program Development Workshop
Will Sheftall, University of Florida Extension, Tallahassee, FL and Les Hyde, University of Maine Extension, Lincolnville, ME
Session: Skills building workshop - Concurrent Session II
4-H camp should become a “green” immersion experience where America’s youth are inspired to live responsibly, sustainably and in balance with the Earth. Camp activities and supporting curricula should provide hands-on opportunity for exploring sustainable facilities, systems and lifestyle behaviors that youth can emulate at home.
A new 4-H GreenCamps certification process entails a self-review, using a Web-based checklist of elements which describe what a “green” camp could be doing to model carbon- and water-neutral sustainability. Camp facilities and practices described range from those easiest to put in place, up to those which demand more institutional support. Three tiers of recognition are based on achievement: Resource Conservationist, Earth Steward, and Climate Champion.
Certification brings multiple benefits: Guidelines serve as camp-specific goals ready for adoption. Green recognition creates an incentive for camps to adopt sustainable living practices and gain a new marketing advantage. Working through the hands-on program can be a catalyst for adult leader adoption of sustainable living practices. A GreenCamps focus in 4-H aligns Extension’s camping program with our educational messages.
Interested faculty are needed to pilot the certification criteria, tiers and Web-based system; and to create and test educational materials which capitalize on hands-on, retro-fit opportunities to teach and engage youth. A national advisory committee is needed to review pilot results, make revisions, and take the 4-H GreenCamps program to CSREES, national 4-H faculty, and the National Camping Association for broader implementation.
William L. Sheftall
University of Florida Extension
615 Paul Russell Rd
Tallahassee FL 32301 USA
Phone: 850-606-5202
FAX: 850-606-5201
E-mail: sheftall@ufl.edu
Leslie C. Hyde
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
One Tanglewood Rd
Lincolnville ME 04849 USA
Phone: 207-789-5868
E-mail: lhyde@umext.maine.edu