Field and Stream Program helps kids
By By Justin Rodgers / 4-H youth agent
March 9, 2003
I have spent the majority of my life in the outdoors with a great teacher to guide my way.
I started following my father to the woods when I was about 6 years old. He taught me how to hunt safely and respect the wilderness God has created.
I harvested my first buck at the age of 11 and I have been hooked on the sport of deer hunting ever since.
Hunting can be one of the most exciting sports a person can endure, but without the right training and guidance it can also be dangerous. Not all young people have a mentor to teach them the rights and wrongs of hunting.
The Field and Stream Program was invented to help guide young people in the right direction. County and 4-H agents, leaders, instructors and coaches work with youth in county-based clubs, teaching them safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment, hunting techniques and wildlife habitat management and conservation.
Youth receive training and then participate in shooting and wildlife events at local and statewide events. Many different activities are available, including wildlife habitat evaluation, shotgun, rifle, archery, black powder, pistol, hunting and quail and small game habitat management.
The program centers on safety and responsibility; teaching skills; coaching principles; 4-H objectives and organization; sources of support; and means of linking hunting, shooting sports and wildlife-related projects to other 4-H programs.
Every leader receives the program materials and each is trained in a specialized discipline. Only one discipline may be taken at any given workshop because of the time requirements and content load that must be communicated.
It is essential that a leader cover the basic elements before going on to advanced activities. The current workshop format includes instructional experiences, use of videos and slides, lecture and live fire.
The volunteer leaders play a key role in helping to get the Field and Stream Program up and running. The program must have coaches trained in each discipline for it to be successful.
This is a great opportunity for adults who have a love for wildlife and hunting to share their expertise with our youth. You could help to change a young person's life and give them a life-long hobby.
The Field and Stream Program could be effective in Lauderdale County, but volunteers are needed to help to coach the team. The training is inexpensive and not too time-consuming. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer leader for the Field and Stream Program, please call me at 482-9764.
