4-H Outdoor Adventure

Backpacking at Iowa 4H Center

Are You Into It?

Do you like being outdoors? You can become the ultimate explorer by designing your own outdoor adventure! Choose from backpacking, biking, camping, canoeing, fishing or hiking or create your own adventure in the outdoors.

  • Develop skills in the adventure you choose (backpacking, biking, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking or other)
  • Plan an outdoor adventure for your club, friends and/or family
  • Learn how to be a good environmental steward while engaging in your adventure
  • Impress your friends and family with your knowledge, skills and wisdom

Here’s what you can do all year!

Starting Out Basic / Level 1

  • Choose your adventures (biking, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, etc.)
  • Learn about the proper gear for your adventure
  • Attend a summer camp at the Iowa 4H Center or with your local 4H club
  • Plan an outing for you and a friend or family member
  • Learn about first aid and safety with the adventure you choose
  • Find out what “Leave no Trace” means
  • Practice survival skills in different environments

Learning More Intermediate / Level 2

  • Route your adventure using technology like a compass or geospatial mapping
  • Learn about equipment maintenance for various types of outdoor adventures
  • Learn Cast on in many situations
  • Become an Outdoor Iron Chef (learn how to cook outdoor meals)
  • Plan an overnight outdoor adventure for your family, friends or club
  • Practice good outdoor manners using Leave no Trace principles

Expanding Horizons Advanced / Level 3

  • Teach others about Leave no Trace adventure ethics
  • Learn to prepare for emergencies in remote areas
  • Prepare for a big adventures such as RAGBRAI, or backpack/canoe trips away from home
  • Start your own geo-caching or earth caching adventure with your friends

Back to 4-H Project Home

Take It Further

 

Outdoor Adventures Hot Sheet 
(color or B/W pdf)

 

Poster Exhibits Tip Sheet
(color or B/W pdf)

 

Exhibitor Fair Information Form
(Word or editable PDF)

 

Other Topics

 

Exhibit Evaluation Form (pdf)

 

Add Service Learning to Your Project


Here are other opportunities to explore Outdoor Adventures:

4-H Resources

Iowa 4-H Outdoor Adventures

 

4-H Outdoor Adventures Manuals

Publications available through ISU Extension Online Store or at your County Extension Office.

 

Other Topics

 

Recordkeeping Forms

Other Resources

Step It Up

Pass it on! Now that you know how, share it with others. Here are ideas to get you started.


Communication

  • Do a presentation on benefits of biking
  • Create a “How to tie knots” poster
  • Do a working demonstration on how to set up a tent or equip a safe bike
  • Create a blog on hot spots for fishing or great places to canoe

Citizenship

  • Volunteer to clean up community campgrounds or trails
  • Help out at your local County Park
  • Serve as a camp counselor
  • Plan an event at your local park
  • Map trees in city parks using GPS

Leadership

  • Clean up a pond or lake in your area to help the fish environment
  • Help catch fish for a fish fry to raise money for a charity
  • Plan an adventure for kids in your community
  • Teach younger kids how to bait and cast a line

Exhibit Ideas

  • Develop a presentation showing how to set up and take down a tent (even in the rain!)
  • Present on Cooking Outdoors
  • Can you start a fire with just one match? Try it! Make a poster showing how you did it
  • Can pizza be cooked over a campfire? Find out!
  • Investigate the types of fish that are found in your area
  • Develop a workshop that shows others how to make knots
  • Write and illustrate a cookbook about catching and cooking fish
  • Create an original piece of artwork using fish prints or other natural objects or dyes; start a working exhibit
  • Plan an overnight camping trip-what to take, where to go; make a poster to share your plan
  • Develop a display or notebook on water and boating safety. What things should you know before you go?
  • Create a display or notebook to share common wildlife and plants that you could encounter while hiking, biking, or camping in your county
  • Create a notebook on knowing where you are when hiking, biking, and camping using a handheld GPS or maps and a compass
  • Investigate and present on safety measures if you were to get lost or caught out in a storm