Youth environmental education is essential for fostering a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who not only understand and value the natural world but are also motivated to take action for sustainability and conservation. By involving young people in learning about ecosystems, environmental challenges, and the impact of human behavior, we equip them to become informed advocates and responsible stewards of the planet.

The most effective way to engage youth is through hands-on, experiential learning that goes beyond the classroom. Field trips offer meaningful opportunities to connect academic knowledge with real-world practice. These experiences spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and inspire a lasting appreciation for the local environment. Time spent outdoors also enhances teamwork, communication, and social skills—while providing important mental health benefits

Boone County Extension offers full-day environmental field trips for public, private, and homeschool students in grades 3–6. These immersive experiences give students the chance to explore local forest and wetland habitats through four interactive learning stations.

Rotating in small groups, students investigate topics such as tree life cycles, aquatic ecology, wildlife adaptations, and the role of decomposers in the nutrient cycle. For many participants, it’s their first time exploring a forest—overcoming fears of insects, and experiencing the amphibian life cycle up close by holding tadpoles and salamanders.

Each lesson is designed to support and reinforce 4th grade Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), making learning both memorable and standards-aligned.

The participants/target audience

Local third through sixth grade students, their parents and their teachers.

Program impact or participant response.

Many students and chaperones return to Extension in later years remembering the experiences during this field trip and how it was one of their favorite field trips they took.  Parents return with younger siblings commenting how their older child would explore under rocks and logs around their home after the field trip to see what they could find.  These field trips also increase the awareness of 4-H and other Extension programming. Teacher feel the program help students with testing scores and their understanding of natural processes.