4–H kids learn about the "northern lifestyle"

News Release
4–H

New to the 4-H program roster this year were five opportunities for youth age 10-21 to experience the great “northern lifestyle” found throughout 4-H Ontario Region 1 encompassing Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Temiskaming and Thunder Bay, at Northern Ontario Outdoor Leadership Adventure (NOOLA).
Eighty youth from across the province took advantage of a two-night, three-day camping adventure at one of five provincial parks– Killbear (July 7–9), Marten River (July 12-14), Chutes (July 16-18), Kakabeka Falls (July 23-25) and Caliper Lake (July 27-29), through the new 4-H program Northern Ontario Outdoor Leadership Adventure (NOOLA).
“The growth of participants over the course of three days was apparent as they worked together, building trust in each other, building their leadership skills, making new friends, all while enjoying the beauty of Northern Ontario,” said Marie Winter, 4-H Ontario Manager, Member Services and Development.
With beautiful northern Ontario as the backdrop for this exciting adventure, participants took part in an electric maze, found clues to their supper using GPS, ran the zipper line, participated in leadership and teamwork games, met people from other parts of the province, enjoyed tent camping, campfires, bugs and a whole lot more.
“This is the best camp I’ve ever been to!” Marten River participant Terri-Lynn exclaimed. Even the occasional rain shower couldn’t dampen the spirits of participants.
With 4-H opening up opportunity registration to all youth age 10-21 and not just 4-H members, 31 of the 80 participants at NOOLA were new to the 4-H experience.
Participants were able to benefit from all the activities at NOOLA, due in part to support received from the Region 1 4-H Council Gateway to the North Lottery, Kubota Canada Ltd., Agrium and 4-H Ontario.
4-H is an organization of leaders building leaders. Over 6000 youth 10-21 years of age, and a grass roots network of 1600 trained, screened volunteers pledge their Head, Heart, Hands and Health as members of community-based clubs. With projects encompassing agriculture, food, health and the environment, 4-H Ontario’s “Learn To Do By Doing” clubs, camps and conferences have a successful 95 year history in developing competence, confidence, connection, character and caring within rural and urban youth.