4-H'ers learn rocketry at the LOST camp, which is one of the summer camps offered at the at 4-H Camp Grant Walker. (Photo by Bruce Schultz)

Learning to make robots is part of the science, engineering and technology emphasis in 4-H. (Photo by Bruce Schultz)

Ashley Ford of Sabine Parish competed at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational in Grand Island, Neb., in 2009. (Photo by Mary Ann Van Osdell)

Louisiana is renowned as an outdoor sports paradise. It’s a reputation earned by the world-class outdoor opportunities found across the state. To take advantage of these opportunities and make them safer, Louisiana 4-H is involved with an outdoor skills program that has become the fastest growing program within 4-H.

“We have a long history of outdoor skills activities, and we keep adding to the outdoor skills program every year,” said Mark Tassin, 4-H state director.

The outdoor skills program includes skeet shooting, muzzleloaders, modern rifles and archery. Then there's ATV safety, compass orienteering, wildlife identification and hunting ethics.

Read the story about Louisiana's team placing third in the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational June 29-July 2.

The primary focus of the program is safety, Tassin said. 

“Every student in shooting sports has an adult coach that supervises the student at all times on the range. The coaches have to undergo extensive training in order to be certified as a coach. The program is geared around safety, and it’s been successful,” Tassin said.

ATV safety is a major issue in Louisiana and the nation. To reduce the number of accidents involving ATVs, the 4-H outdoor skills program teaches proper fundamentals regarding ATV operation. “With the increasing popularity of ATVs, it’s important to teach all riders how to properly operate the vehicle, but especially to those beginning riders,” David Boldt, coordinator for the 4-H outdoor skills program, said.

Boldt said that the ATV safety training courses have been taught at schools throughout the state. “We bring the ATVs to the schools, and depending upon how many students, we can do it in one day or over several days,” Boldt said.

The ATV contest at 4-H University, the annual conference held on the LSU campus in June, is the fastest-growing event. Last year, more than 70 students competed in an event that tested their driving skills, knowledge of safe operating rules and identifying parts of the vehicle and their purpose.

Parental and volunteer involvement is essential to the success of the program. “Parents and grandparents are eager to help out, especially with the shooting sports. It’s something they enjoy doing, and they get to spend time with their children and grandchildren,” Tassin said.

Not only have family members become involved with volunteering, but private and public organizations have thrown their support behind the program. For example, Friends of the National Rifle Association and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have donated funds and items for the staging of shooting sports events. Local affiliates of the National Wild Turkey Foundation have donated funds to get outdoor skills programs started in their local parishes. Ron Bartels of Safari Clubs International and local Safari Clubs have been instrumental in the development of the new shooting range at the 4-H Educational Center in Pollock, La.

One of the newest parts of the outdoor skills program is LOST Camp, which occurs the first week in August at Camp Grant Walker. LOST stands for Louisiana Outdoor Science and Technology Camp. Topics covered include rocketry, robotics, wetlands, forensic science and a new one this year on videography, Boldt said. Read more about LOST camp.

The LSU AgCenter is one of 11 institutions of higher education in the Louisiana State University System. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, it provides educational services in every parish and conducts research that contributes to the economic development of the state. The LSU AgCenter does not grant degrees nor benefit from tuition increases. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H youth, family and community programs.