State Events & Activities 

Environmental Education - Our natural world.

Outdoor Ed-Venture Camps  30EES
These five to six day residential experiences allow campers to participate in hands-on activities such as canoeing, snorkeling, hiking, swimming, recreational games, arts and crafts and more, which will allow them to better explore the Florida outdoors.  There may be off-site trips to the local parks that will focus on Florida ecosystems.

Florida 4-H Marine Camp 30MES
These five day programs will allow participants to experience Florida's marine environments first-hand through exploratory activities such as canoeing, snorkeling, hiking, and fishing. Additional activities including marine lab investigations, field trips to area sites, and recreational activities that focus on developing an environmental awareness about local marine ecosystems.

Florida 4-H Sportfishing Camp
These five day residential programs allow participants to learn important fishing skills such as casting, tackle crafting, aquatic ecology, resource stewardship, and how to have fun catching fish! This camp may be held in conjunction with a Shooting Sports Camp or a State Marine Camp 

Florida 4-H Shooting Sports Camp
These five day residential programs allow participants to learn important skills and safety of air rifles, shotguns, and archery. This camp may be held in conjunction with a Sportfishing Camp.

Beekeeping Essay Contest  65ENS
4-H club members write an essay about a selected topic relating to the beekeeping industry.  Entries are judged on accuracy, creativity, conciseness, logical development of the topic, and scope of research.

Forest-Ecology Judging Events   60FOS
The goals of these events are to make Florida 4-H club members and their leaders more knowledgeable about the natural environment of Florida and to realize the value and importance of Florida forests.  Participating 4-H members compete by identifying common Florida plants and animals, including common forest insects and diseases, answering questions about trees and ecosystems, and using maps and compasses.  See www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h for details.

Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP)   60WLS
This is a 4-H youth natural resource program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to junior, intermediate & senior level (8-19) youth.  Participants learn to identify common wildlife foods, judge the quality of wildlife habitat from aerial photographs, and recommend wildlife management practices.

Horticulture Judging Event - North Florida Fair  40PSA
Participants will acquire knowledge and skills in identification/selection of horticultural products and apply these basic skills to consumer decision-making.

Land Judging Event  60SCS
This team competition supports the environmental and natural resource programs.  Youth learn soil types and appropriate land use, including homesite evaluation.  It promotes an appreciation for the capability of the land and the contribution it makes to an individual's standard of living.  The event also helps to improve personal knowledge and skills as well as family appreciation for the importance of conserving natural resources.

Florida 4-H State Marine Ecology Event
This state competition supports the 4-H marine education program.  Participants identify selected organisms (i.e., vertebrates, invertebrates, plants) found in marine habitats and demonstrate their knowledge of concepts related to marine ecology and marine ecosystems.  Rules, guidelines, and study materials can be obtained through the 4-H website. 

Florida 4-H State Marine Photography Contest
This state competition supports the 4-H marine education program and is held in conjunction with the State Marine Ecology Event.  This contest is open to all 4-H members, regardless of age.  The three photo categories participants may enter include 1) marine habitats and ecosystems (i.e., coral reefs, mangroves, salt marshes, etc.)  2) marine life (fish, crabs, shells, seaweed, etc.) and 3) photos of people interacting with or impacting the marine world (diving, swimming, boating, beach erosion, surfing, etc.), 4) aquatic habitats (scenes of ponds, lakes, rivers, etc.), and 5) aquatic life (photos of pond turtles, fish, insects, etc.).

4-H Natural Resource Bowl Event
The main goal of this team event is to encourage 4-H members and their leaders to acquire knowledge about a myriad of natural resource information, topics, and issues.  During the event, participants respond to open ended and multiple choice questions selected from natural resource categories.  A bibliography of web based sites and curricular materials are posted online after January 1.  Registration is typically handled through the Seminole County 4-H office.