Experiential Learning Experiences

Ride the bus, take a ferry or just take a hike but be sure to experience one of Washington’s Experiential Learning Experiences. Each experience is designed to give you a “hands on” experience with one of Washington’s great 4-H programs in the Puget Sound region.

Check out the offerings below and choose one when you register; cost is included in registration fee. Early registration is encouraged to guarantee space as registration is limited for each experience.

Tuesday, November 1

G1. Increasing Family Involvement:
Promoting Resiliency Through Experiential Activities
Community-based educators are increasingly called upon to offer programs involving entire families. Using a resiliency framework, 4-H faculty will review nine dimensions of family strength, as well as provide opportunities for you to both practice and develop activities that encourage family development. Videos of real-life families will demonstrate workshop concepts. http://whatcom.wsu.edu/family/families.htm

G2. Experiencing Experiential Education:
The WSU 4-H Challenge Program
Experiential Education principles form the bedrock of learning in 4-H. Improve your understanding of the “Do, Reflect, Apply” model through an activity-based encounter with the 4-H Challenge Program. You will learn to use experiential education techniques to enhance group experiences, and discuss training opportunities for expanding your repertoire. http://blchallenge.wsu.edu/

G3. 4-H Ahoy! A Northwest Boat and Float
Come explore the Center for Wooden Boats and discover Seattle from the vantage point of an 1890 Long Boat. Learn seamanship skills and shanty songs as members and leaders of a 4-H Boat Club guide you across South Lake Union and introduce you to this unique 4-H project. http://www.cwb.org/

Thursday, November 3

G4. GPS Technology in the Emerald City:
A Northwest Scavenger Hunt
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology is an increasingly popular component of 4-H technology projects. Following an orientation by 4-H staff, you and your team members will set off on a scavenger hunt that will highlight the sights of Seattle as it develops your proficiency in the use GPS technology.

G5. 4-H Workforce Preparation Projects:
Activities for Career Exploration
TeenWorks, a Washington State 4-H workforce preparation project for adolescents, fosters career exploration in a variety of professions and disciplines. In this workshop you will engage in experiments and challenges that can be used to teach basics of career exploration, and learn how these activities fit into the TeenWorks model.
http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/institute/partnerships/4-Hindex.htm

G6. Apparel Product Development: From High Class to Hands-on
Better your clothing and textiles knowledge at Nordstrom’s, a Seattle-based, upscale apparel retailer. The tour starts with insights into couture clothing, trend forecasting and apparel production. After time for shopping, you’ll dye silks in a workshop that leaves you with beautiful samples and the confidence to try this back home. http://amdt.wsu.edu/Fact%20Sheet2003.htm

G7. Adapting and Evolving in the Textile & Apparel Industry:
Adversity as Opportunity
Adaptation and evolution are keys to success in any industry. In this tour, you will discover the role of an Industry Incubator in transforming adversity into opportunity, and explore products and processes that support successful entrepreneurial efforts. Come experience the creativity required to succeed in both new and established markets! http://amdt.wsu.edu/

G8. 4-H in County Government: Promoting Civic Engagement
Citizen engagement is essential for educated decision-making. Travel to King County Courthouse to discover how the KYG concept has been adapted to promote youth involvement in this urban county government. You will learn how 4-H members interact with county officials, and the opportunities this project presents for civic engagement.
http://www.metrokc.gov/dchs/csd/wsu-ce/4-H/Initiatives.htm

G9. Clothing and Textile Advisors and 4-H:
Ferry Yourself to a New Partnership
Extension Clothing and Textile Advisors are frequently untapped as resources in 4-H Clothing and Consumer Programs. Begin exploring this valuable partnership on a Puget Sound ferry. Once in Bremerton, hands-on activities will build your project skills as well as inspire ideas for strengthening your 4-H program through this non-traditional partnership. http://kitsap.wsu.edu/consumer/index.htm

G10. Raab Park Youth Garden:
Year-Round Community Gardening for All
Hop a ferry to Poulsbo and award-winning Raab Park Youth Garden, a community garden for all ages. Master Gardeners and 4-H leaders will share insights into year-round gardening, provide hands-on learning about cover crops, and lead an herb treasure hunt. Time for lunch and shopping in this waterfront Norwegian village are included. http://kitsap.wsu.edu/hort/demo_gardens.htm

G11. Pacific Science Center’s Wetland Naturalists:
An Environmental Education Program for Youth
Secrets of wetland life are revealed as you retrace the footsteps of local students through Mercer Slough and examine pond samples in a wetland laboratory. Learn how you can create youth stewards of our endangered wetlands by adapting this successful collaboration model that serves hundreds of school children annually. http://www.pacsci.org/education/slough/slough.html

G12. Lunch and Learn with Packgoats:
A Day Hike in Cougar Mountain Park
The 4-H packgoat project has been newly listed by National 4-H. On this easy hike, packgoats will carry your gear as a 4-H leader and youth describe the multiple learning opportunities offered by this unique project. Come lunch and learn with the packgoats in beautiful Cougar Mountain Park. http://home.comcast.net/~edelweissacres
http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/rentals/pommar99.htm

G13. 4-H at the Hatchery: A River Salmon Tour
Come experience the Snohomish County 4-H River Salmon Tours, highlighted in the PBS series, “Spotlight On”. With your 4-H guide, you will tour 10 interpretative stations that provide information and hands-on learning opportunities surrounding the life cycle of our salmon, their habitat and the role of the hatchery. http://snohomish.wsu.edu/4hnature.htm

G14. Maximize Your 4-H Horse Program:
Blazing New Trails to Environmental Stewardship
In Snohomish County, the 4-H horse project offers opportunities for youth to practice both project-specific skills as well as principles of environmental stewardship. Join 4-H volunteers and youth in hands-on exploration of a horse program that teaches riding skills while promoting strategies for water quality improvement. http://snohomish.wsu.edu/4hhorses.htm

G15. 4-H Ahoy! A Northwest Boat and Float
Come explore the Center for Wooden Boats and discover Seattle from the vantage point of an 1890 Long Boat. Learn seamanship skills and shanty songs as members and leaders of a 4-H Boat Club guide you across South Lake Union and introduce you to this unique 4-H project. http://www.cwb.org/

G16. A Taste of Snohomish County: A 4-H Technology Banquet
Snohomish County 4-H is recognized as one of the premier technology programs in the nation. You will be welcomed to Snohomish County by 4-H youth, who will offer you an opportunity to “experience” the operation of a varied, youth-managed technological program that includes robotics, GPS, wireless networking and computer builds. http://snohomish.wsu.edu/4hcomp.htm

G17. Ecology and Management of Pacific Coast Forests:
A Tour of the University of Washington's Pack Forest
Douglas fir is a special feature of Northwest terrain. On this tour of Pack Forest, Extension foresters will introduce you to the ecology and management of Coastal “Doug” Fir. Discover recreational and outdoor learning opportunities while exploring the 1st school forest certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. http://www.washington.edu/research/field/pack.html

G18. Become a Mudslinger: Tune-Up Your 4-H Motorcycle Project
A 4-H motorcycle project can be a fun and safe way to develop life skills in Mechanical Sciences. In this workshop, the Mudslingers 4-H Club invites you to practice fitting and showing motorcycles and ATVs. Ride through some basic maneuvers, and learn how to run a 4-H motorcycle project. http://snohomish.wsu.edu/4hmotor.htm

G19. 4-H Technology Programs:
Incorporating Computer Game Development
Youth can learn life-long technology skills through computer game development. On a tour that includes stops at an international game development company and DigiPen Institute (the university for would-be game developers), you’ll learn to play computer games, explore issues in game development, and even develop a game of your own! http://www.digipen.edu/

G20. Whidbey Island: A BeachWatchers Adventure
Hop a ferry to Whidbey Island, where WSU Beach Watchers and 4-H staff will take you to Double Bluff Beach. You'll observe the impact of wind and waves on the local bluffs, as well as get to play a little "hide and seek" with the intertidal inhabitants of the nearshore. http://www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/

G21. Operation Military Kids in Pierce County: 4-H at Fort Lewis
Families of deployed military personnel face many challenges. 4-H staff will escort you to Fort Lewis, where you will learn how 4-H provides consistency to a mobile community while teaching life skills on a military installation. Pre-registration and photo identification required.