According to Children’s Health Defense, “Less exposure to nature in youth has paralleled an increase in mental health disorders, persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness and suicidal thoughts.” The article further explained that children are experiencing less production in the classrooms and test scores are declining. In an effort to combat these issues, the CES has brought back 4-H Goes Wild.
The CES had routinely hosted the 4-H Goes Wild Environmental Field Day but COVID-19 put a stop to it. The CES tried to reach out to past instructors but most had retired or moved into different positions limiting their access. Upon talking with local 4th grade teachers and the importance of the field day, the CES decided to host again. This time, the CES reached out to more local science and nature collaborators to bring a diverse education to the students. The CES reached out to Eastern Kentucky University’s wildlife society and their natural areas director and parented with college students and experts to offer wildlife banding and reptiles. The CES also parented with Berea College’s forestry department to bring in arachnids to talk about structures and classifications. The CES also parented with several University of Kentucky specialists to bring in Entomology, tree identification, bees, owl pellets, food chain, healthy snack, Enviroscape model, and water cycle lesson. The CES also had local Water Conservation and Madison Southern’s FFA/Envirothon students to lead classes.
The CES hosted this event at the local Madison County fairgrounds. The CES was instrumental in recruiting instructors, equipping them with lessons, aligning context with Kentucky Science Standards, and recruiting 4th grade teachers to bring classrooms. 

Throughout the two day event we hosted over 500 4th graders with around 25 instructors. All the teachers loved this event for the students and talked about how this is a review before they start their standardized testing. “The importance of the vocabulary used is impotent for the students to hear and for them to see and even touch the concepts they learned in the classroom but to see them actual experience it outside the classroom is a valuable way to learn,” said Mrs. Johnson 4th grade teacher.