4-H ‘Nature Start' needs you

MILFORD — Nature Start is a new grassroots initiative for youth, sponsored by Pennsylvania 4-H. It is different from anything 4-H has ever done before. Nature Start involves locally-based groups for youth ages 5-10. These may be family, neighborhood, or community based, or they may be pre-existing groups from schools, child care centers, homeschoolers, after-school programs and others. Nature Start groups will be organized and facilitated by adult volunteers (Nature Start Mentors). Youth involved in these groups will participate in monthly gatherings to increase their awareness and knowledge of the natural world. A wide body of research indicates that Americas youth are increasingly out of touch with the natural world and lack even the most basic level of environmental literacy. Time spent outside playing and learning is being superseded by time spent indoors using electronic technologies such as computers, smart phones, i-pods, and televisions, and the health consequences are serious. It is widely agreed that concerted efforts to reach youth and youth-educators with curricula and learning opportunities for connecting with the natural world are essential. Todays youth are tomorrows landowners, voters, policy makers, and inheritors of the natural resources we depend on and must pass on to future generations. If you are interested in becoming a Nature Start Mentor, please contact Diane Boucher Appel, Pike County 4-H Youth Development Educator by calling 570-296-3400 or email PikeExt@psu.edu .