Florida 4-H has received an AmeriCorps service grant through Volunteer Florida to expand environmental education programs to reach more K-12 students with hands-on, outdoor-based learning. AmeriCorps members will serve at 4-H’s three camp education centers to facilitate programs and classes for students. Members will increase Florida 4-H’s capacity to expand 4-H’s overnight camp and education programs both on-site and through community outreach.
Florida 4-H is run through the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and is the first UF organization to be granted AmeriCorps members.
“Partnership with AmeriCorps will enable Florida 4-H to expand our already robust environmental education program with new offerings and reaching more young people. We are excited to be able to offer these programs to students and families throughout our state as our three 4-H camps provide the perfect setting for hands-on learning about Florida’s land, air and water,” said Stacey Ellison, state 4-H program leader.
Through Florida 4-H Camps, AmeriCorps members will educate youth statewide through overnight trips, day education trips and community outreach programs. Programs are available at Florida 4-H’s three camps – 4-H Camp Cloverleaf in Lake Placid, 4-H Camp Cherry Lake in Madison and 4-H Camp Timpoochee in Niceville – as well as schools and community centers.
Classes include science, outdoor recreation, agriculture and more, and all are aligned to state and national education standards. Students will learn about the local environment through hands-on and engaging curriculum. Some classes include herpetology, water quality assessment, kayak tours, lake ecology and marine ecology.
To learn more about opportunities to participate in Florida 4-H Camp Environmental Education programs, visit https://florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu/camps/ or contact Erin Mugge at erin.mugge@ufl.edu.
Positions are available for additional AmeriCorps members to serve with Florida 4-H. If you are interested in serving with Florida 4-H as an AmeriCorps member, check out the application page here.
AmeriCorps members receive a living stipend, Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, childcare and/or health benefits, skills-based and professional development training and forbearance for federally backed student loans. They serve communities in after-school programs, wildlife programs, disaster response, workforce development training and many other areas of need. For more information, visit AmeriCorps.gov.
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
ABOUT FLORIDA 4-H
4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university system and Cooperative Extension System. The program provides hands-on educational programs and experiences for youth ages 5 to 18 with the objective of developing youth as individuals, and as responsible and productive citizens. In Florida, 4-H is administered by University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University.
ABOUT AMERICORPS
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives ad communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers.
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