UGA Cooperative Extension is a collaboration between UGA CAES and UGA FACS.

Translation Disclaimer

 close

Users agree that automated translations may not effectively convert the intended design, meaning, and/or context of the website, may not translate images or PDF content, and may not take into account regional language differences. Any person that uses the translated site does so at that person’s own risk. UGA Extension is not responsible for any damages, costs, liability, or risk associated with any use, functionality, and/or content of the website translations.

For more information, visit the Language Translation page.

Fayette County Extension
UGA Extension Office

Our Impact

Download Our Annual Report (pdf)

Outdoor Education: Adventure Awaits

Summary:

Today’s adolescents are spending less time outdoors than previous generations due to technology, environmental stressors, and the fear of safety. The Fayette County 4-H & Youth Development Agent addressed these issues by promoting the importance of outdoor recreation opportunities and knowledge via social media and through the development of special interest clubs and events.

Situation:

Richard Louv’s, Last Child in the Woods, states today’s youth are experiencing nature-deficit disorder, thus resulting in declining physical activity coupled with increasingly higher diagnoses of cognitive and emotional disorders among youth. In a recent journal article, [20(2): 1328], published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, spending time outdoors increases motor skills, cardiovascular health, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Response:

Due to the decrease in youth spending less time outside, the Fayette County 4-H program implemented numerous outdoor hands-on activities for all ages of youth to participate in to help increase social and emotional skills, physical activity, and to teach hard skills. Activities included: adventure clubs, adventure day camps, hiking, tubing, nature scavenger hunts, canoeing, archery, camping, pond ecology classes, and lake clean-up events. Social media was also utilized as an effective tool to post about outdoor opportunities with the local region and outdoor education topics on Facebook and Instagram.

Results/Impact:

From August 2023 to October 2025, the Fayette County 4-H program reached 303 youth in grades 1st-12th through 24 different outdoor events. Post event evaluations were conducted for members of the 2024 Cloverleaf Adventure Club. Of the five responses, 60% felt comfortable safely using the restroom in the back-country. 80% felt comfortable cooking meals on several types of camping stoves after practicing within the club and putting that skill to use at the end of the club camping trip. 80% said they could confidently set up a tent. After the 1-night Cloverleaf Adventure Club 2024 camping trip, one elementary school 4-H’er stated, “It was amazing in every way. I loved how we got ice cream, and I got to sleep in a tent with 3 other girls” and another stated, “I had lots of fun, made new friends, and learned some new things. So, I would say I liked most of it”. A high school 4-H’er who has been a member of the Junior/Senior Adventure Club for the past two years and attended the 2-night camping trip in 2024 thanked me for getting him away from the real world for just a little.


4-H’ers are making a campfire at Wahsega 4-H Center.4-H’ers are making a campfire for their two-night camping trip at Wahsega 4-H Center.
Middle school 4-H’er examining what she caught during the Pond Ecology class.Middle school 4-H’er examining what she caught during the Pond Ecology class.