Louisiana is renowned as an outdoor sports paradise. It’s a reputation earned by the world-class outdoor opportunities found across the state. To take advantage of these opportunities and make them safer, Louisiana 4-H is involved with an outdoor skills program that has become the fastest growing program within 4-H.

“We keep adding to the outdoor skills program every year,” said Mark Tassin, director of 4-H. “Louisiana has a long history of outdoor skills activities, and this fits right in with the science, engineering and technology emphasis of national 4-H.”

Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) is a national focus of 4-H to help steer more young people into careers in these fields, Tassin said.

Several components encompass the outdoor skills program. Skeet shooting, muzzleloaders, modern rifles and archery are some of the events that comprise the shooting sports. ATV safety, compass orienteering, wildlife identification and hunting ethics are other popular elements.

The primary focus of the program is safety according to Joe Barrett, an area 4-H outdoor skills agent for Caddo, Bossier, Webster and Red River Parishes. “Every student in shooting sports has an adult coach that supervises the student at all times on the range. The coaches have to undergo extensive training in order to be certified as a coach. The program is geared around safety, and it’s been successful,” Barrett said.

ATV safety is a major issue in Louisiana and the nation. According to the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission, there were 540 ATV-related deaths in the United States in 2007. Children under the age of 16 accounted for 107 deaths. In Louisiana, there were 49 deaths were reported between 2005 and 2007.

To reduce the number of accidents involving ATVs, the 4-H outdoor skills program teaches proper fundamentals regarding ATV operation. “With the increasing popularity of ATVs, it’s important to teach all riders how to properly operate the vehicle, but especially to those beginning riders,” David Boldt, coordinator for the 4-H outdoor skills program, said.

Boldt said that the ATV safety training courses have been taught at schools throughout the state. “We bring the ATVs to the schools, and depending upon how many students, we can do it in one day or over several days. We recently trained more than 200 students in Ascension Parish in three days,” Boldt said.

The ATV contest at 4-H University, the annual conference held on the LSU campus in June, is the fastest-growing event. Last year, more than 70 students competed in an event that tested their driving skills, knowledge of safe operating rules and identifying parts of the vehicle and their purpose.

Parental and volunteer involvement is essential to the success of the program. “Parents and grandparents are eager to help out, especially with the shooting sports. It’s something they enjoy doing, and they get to spend time with their children and grandchildren,” Barrett said.

As part of a national shooting competition last year, 4-H students competed in Grand Island, Neb. Barrett said many families of the Louisiana competitors made it their summer vacation and caravanned to the event together. “They all seemed to have a great time, and some are planning on doing it again,” Barrett said.

Not only have family members become involved with volunteering, but private and public organizations have thrown their support behind the program. G.N. Gonzales of Baton Rouge has donated ATVs to be used in the program. Friends of the National Rifle Association and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries donated funds and items for the staging of shooting sports events. Local affiliates of the National Wild Turkey Foundation have donated funds to get outdoor skills programs started in their local parishes.

Ron Bartels of Safari Clubs International and local Safari Clubs have been instrumental in the development of the new shooting range at the 4-H Educational Center in Pollock, La. The new range will be a vital component for the instruction of firearm and archery safety during 4-H camp and for conducting competition shoots throughout the year.

4-H students have excelled in the program. Caitlin Conner, a Winn Parish 4-H participant, has been invited to train at the U.S. Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, Co. Recently, more than 800 students participated in the two state regional competition shoots with 300 advancing to the state competition held in April.

One of the newest parts of the outdoor skills program is LOST Camp, which occurs the first week in August at Camp Grant Walker. LOST stands for Louisiana Outdoor Science and Technology Camp. Topics covered include rocketry, robotics, wetlands, forensic science and a new one this year on videography, Boldt said. Read more about LOST camp. Watch a video about LOST camp.

The LSU AgCenter is one of 11 institutions of higher education in the Louisiana State University System. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, it provides educational services in every parish and conducts research that contributes to the economic development of the state. The LSU AgCenter does not grant degrees nor benefit from tuition increases. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H youth, family and community programs.