Success StoryCSI Environmental Camp



CSI Environmental Camp

Author: Wade Raymer

Planning Unit: Webster County CES

Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: Building Lifeskills

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Kentucky’s natural resources play an important role in our state’s social, economic, and environmental well-being. Kentucky has over 91,000 miles of rivers and streams, more than 225,000 acres of ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, and Kentucky is 48% forested. The forestry sector alone contributed an estimated $14.6 billion in total economic contribution in 2015, and provided more than 57,000 jobs. Kentucky’s woodlands are vital, providing homes to a wide diversity of wildlife, protecting our water resources, and supplying clean air, in addition to providing recreation area. Kentucky is rich in natural resources, and there is a growing need for Environmental Education among youth to develop knowledge and skills, instill an interest in natural resources and the outdoors, and gain a better understanding of environmental impacts. To address these needs, the Extension Offices in Webster County and Breckinridge County collaborated by planning Environmental Day Camps at West Kentucky 4-H Camp with a CSI theme. This theme aimed to provide a fun and unique method for educating youth about natural resources and provide hands-on, problem solving experiences. 60 4th graders from Webster County and 83 4th graders from Breckinridge County attended. Students solved crimes at four hands-on learning stations using knowledge of natural resources. Students learned skills including flower dissection, identifying flower parts, using a dichotomous plant key, identifying insects, insect life cycles, using maggots and beetles to determine time and location of death, soil identification, soil properties, and lip / finger print analysis. After attending the Environmental Camp, 88% of youth had a better understanding of the roles of insects in the Ecosystem, 73% felt confident in their ability to identify different types of soils, and 91% could identify the parts of a flower and use a key to identify a plant. Surveys indicated 97% of youth learned how evidence from the environment can help solve crimes, 82% of youth could identify different natural resources in their community, and 97% could explain the importance of taking care of the environment and habitats for wildlife. In addition, after participating in Environmental Camp, youth made changes in their behavior at home and school. Sixty-one percent of participants conserved water use and other natural resources, 70% worked on projects to protect a natural resource (e.g. water, wildlife, soil, etc.), and 76% of youth now consider environmental impacts when they make decisions. The CSI Environmental Day Camps expanded the knowledge, skills, and decision making practices of Webster and Breckinridge county youth.






Stories by Wade Raymer


The Power of Volunteers

about 4 years ago by Wade Raymer

The Kentucky 4-H Camping program is more than just a fun week filled with outdoor activities; it is ... Read More


4-H Teen Leadership Academy: Hancock-Ohio-Henderson-Webster Counties

about 5 years ago by Wade Raymer

Leadership education builds several important assets in Kentucky youth and provides critical element... Read More


Stories by Webster County CES


Beef IRM Farm Program

about 4 years ago by Vicki Shadrick

Integrated Resource Management Farm ProgramThe Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Farm Program is ... Read More


Industrial Hemp Production Education- It Starts With Us

about 4 years ago by Vicki Shadrick

The 2014 Farm Bill allowed producers to grow industrial hemp the research and demonstration projects... Read More


Stories by Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum


Shooting Sports Archery Program 2019

Shooting Sports Archery Program 2019

about 4 years ago by Anna Meador

Shooting Sports Camp participants display their Riffle targets after their shooting session at the R... Read More


Longest Day of Play

Longest Day of Play

about 4 years ago by Susan Campbell

With a community effort to get youth physical active, a team made up of Anderson County 4-H Youth De... Read More