Being inside for long periods of time is a problem. This seems simple and the research is clear about the adverse change in physical, emotional, and mental health of youth and adults being indoors for significant amounts of time. Obesity in children has increased over the last two decades as a result of access to technology and the discouragement of adults to engage in free moving, free thinking play outside (Hopefully.com; Tara West). Being outside corrects this issue and provides the resources and opportunities for young people and adults to self-correct the burdens of being inside (Child Mind Institude; Danielle Cohen) and discover or re-engage skills for future hobby and career paths. Kentucky 4-H, in partnership with the National Park Service and the Kentucky Division of Forestry, designed and implemented regional junior and senior-level forestry competitions to work through the skills of working within forest settings (measurement, working with a compass, tree identification, and pacing).

Garrard County 4-H and the Garrard County High School Agriculture Department selected youth with an interest in outdoor work, outdoor skill development competency, and those seeking careers in an outdoor field and registered them for a Kentucky 4-H Field Day. Seven students / 4-H members attended, competed, and displayed a high level of competency in the forestry field. One student showed a particularly high aptitude in all of the tested fields. She remarked, following the competition, that this was a field she may like to pursue, because it gives her a chance to work outside, continue to learn, and she had a great time during the event. 

The group showed an interest in continuing to find competitive events and working throughout the school year to prepare for FFA Forestry Competition and the Envirothon Program as well. Garrard County 4-H is working to schedule additional opportunities for practice on those learned skills at the Kentucky 4-H Forestry Field Day through in-school programs, day workshops, and experts in their field to provide hands-on experiences. The variation in delivery mode will key on the unique learning styles of the students in the group, encourage self-directed learning, and encourage development of professional relationships with established members of this career field.