Environmental Education

Outdoor Basics for Youth 2
(3-part course)

Ages: 6 and up
Dates:
Fall session: Wednesdays Nov 6th, 13th and 20th, 2024 (enroll by Oct 31st)
Spring session: Thursdays March 20th, 27th and April 3, 2025 (enroll by March 13th)
Time: 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Location: Gainesville, FL
Cost: $60.00
***Outdoor Basics 1 is a prerequisite for this course***

Summary: The second level of Outdoor Basics for Youth expands on concepts covered in the first session and introduces new concepts to further build outdoor knowledge, safety and experience. Below is a week-by-week description of topics and activities covered in this 3-part course.
Week 1: Shelter building next level. In this class we will explore shelter building on a deeper level. We will work together to build a specific type of shelter called a wickiup. Ms. Crystal will demonstrate a few ways to make a quick shelter with a simple tarp and rope. We will discuss the pros and cons of different building materials, what to look for in selecting your materials and experiment with different types of tools.
Week 2: Food and foraging. Our second week will begin with covering foraging safety and locally common, seasonal wild edibles. Collect plant specimens to press in your field book during a guided walk with Ms. Crystal. We will explore different edible and non-edible wild plants, learn how to set a basic snare, proper snare etiquette and regulations, identify ideal places for setting snares, and be on the lookout for animal tracks as we take our walk.
Week 3: Advanced fishing and fish traps. Our final week will dive into advanced fishing techniques including building a basket fish trap, a fence fish trap and bottle bait trap. We will learn to identify common freshwater fish and discuss the role of plants/structure in aquatic ecosystems, as this can give you an advantage in finding the good fishing spots. Certificates of completion will be passed out during the last class along with light refreshments.