4-H Adventure Education Programs

Preparing youth to be the great thinkers and leaders of tomorrow!

Our Mission

To develop Capable, Caring, and Contributing citizens through research-based, guided adventure and experiential learning models.   We accomplish our mission by building Life Skills, using the natural environment and adventure-based activities within a Full Value community.

Our Purpose

There are many different kinds of adventure- based experiential education programs. Although on the surface there are similarities between activities, there is a wide spectrum of purposes and philosophies in the adventure-based experiential education field.  Programs can range from recreational activities on one end of the spectrum, to therapy driven activities at the other.  The 4-H Adventure Education programs fall approximately in the middle of the spectrum, focusing on education and life skills development. We help participants develop or enhance personal and interpersonal skills through meaningful and fun experiences.

We believe that the most powerful method of learning is through the Learning by Doing approach, also known as experiential learning or adventure education. In its simplest form, the model has three major components - Do, Reflect, Apply.

 4-H Gibbs Lake Challenge Course

Jefferson County 4-H Adventure Education Programs

CedarRoot Nature Studies - led by Scott Brinton, this program provides youth experiences in environmental science, outdoor safety, and stewardship. You can contact Scott at cedarrootschool@gmail.com .

4-H Stewardship Program - led by crew chiefs Marcelle Thimgan and Andi Niesen, this program is conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service. High school students from Jefferson County are hired in the spring and the fall to work on stewardship projects, including riparian restoration, elk forage restoration, tree planting, trail maintenance, campground clean ups, watershed clean ups, and more! Coordinated by Sue Hay, 4-H County Coordinator - you can contact her at shay@jefferson.wsu.edu.

Jefferson Community School Expeditions (JCS) - led by Victor Paz, this program involves students at JCS in state, national and international expeditions and service learning. Students develop a strong sense of place and learn to see themselves as change agents within a larger context beyond their local communities. Activities include kayaking, hiking, challenge courses, restoration work, video documentaries, scientific data collection and more. You can contact Victor at victorpaz1977@hotmail.com.

Olympic Explorers - led by Matt Mahan, this program explores a variety of outdoor adventure activities, including snowshoeing and back country hiking. You can contact Matt at matthewcmahan@mac.com.

Olympic Youth Adventures (formerly 4-H Big Quil Enterprises) - led by Joe Baisch, this program is based in Hood Canal and includes explorations in boating safety, oyster and clam propagation, event planning and preparation, culinary arts, and customer service. The Olympic Youth Adventures program owns a boat that is based in the Herb Beck Marina in Quilcene that is used to harvest oysters from their project beach in the Quilcene Bay. You can contact Joe at elk@dishmail.net.

Puget Sound Voyagers - led by Wayne Chimenti, Marci Van Cleve, and M.B. Armstrong, this program in based in Port Hadlock at the School of Wooden Boat Building. Youth learn to build wooden boats, as well as safely sail them. You can contact Wayne at force10sails@hotmail.com.

Quilcene Ranger Corps - led by Dan Collins with Pacific Northwest Trail Association, this is a summer trail building program for teens who work with the U.S. Forest Service and receive stipends for their volunteer work. Contact Dan at dcollins@pnt.org.

WSU 4-H Gibbs  Lake Challenge Course provides team building and leadership experiences for groups ages 10-19. Contact Sue Hay at shay@jefferson.wsu.edu.