Environmental education is becoming a rare interest because many youth are just not going outside anymore.  Due to this trend, obesity rates continue to rise, driving further in activity and lack of interest in the outdoors. Statistics show the number of hours spent in front of screens, which directly relates to youth becoming dissociated with nature (Cohen, 2020). To help combat this trend and also get youth outdoors, the CES Agents introduced a fishing program at a local middle school. This program was designed to get youth outdoors but more importantly give them a sense of belonging. The skills covered in this club were casting, baiting, catching, and the fileting and cooking of the fish, while also incorporating teamwork, problem solving, and environmental-steward skills. This program had the component of the six hours of education. 

The CES worked with the middle schools Family Resource Director to introduce this opportunity to students who would have an interest in joining who don't normally participate in the school's other extracurricular activities. The CES made a flyer for the FRC Director to help promote this short term club.  The CES designed a lessons based off learning skills of casting and baiting, identifying fish species, promoting healthy water ways, and becoming a leader.  The CES planned a fishing trip to one of our 4-H Camps that had a wells stocked pond to help encourage the youth to use their learned skills and have success.  

This short term club was introduced for youth to get outdoors and learn skills; but, it also became a group of 20 kids who admitted that they struggled to fit in other clubs at the school.  The CES created a safe place for these youth to feel that sense of belonging and also become leaders.  The CES witnessed young men and women helping each other out during the fishing trip, encouraging one another, sharing their tips, and even sharing their bait.  Unanimously, the group said they would definitely join this short term club again.