BLM-Volunteer Feature of the Month

For many of us, our first camping experience—whether in the desert, the woods or in our backyard—was one of the most memorable events of our childhood. Through camping and outdoor adventures we learned to pitch a tent, cook on a cook stove, catch fish, and watch for shooting stars.

Recent studies have shown that this seemingly innocent appreciation of outdoor recreation is actually a strong contributor to overall happiness, health, and career success in later adult life.

WOW participants at a Utah event.

Unfortunately, changing family structures and declining resources are leaving many of today’s young people without an understanding or interest in the world outside their doors. Urban youth in particular are lacking the skills, motivation, and knowledge of the opportunities available to them in outdoor recreation and in the natural environment.

The BLM has partnered with the Wonderful Outdoor World (WOW) to help change this trend towards indoor isolation. Together, we are participating in a program geared to expose urban youth to the opportunities available to them in outdoor recreation and in the natural environment.

The goals of WOW are to introduce inner-city youth to the fun and wonders of outdoor recreation and to teach the importance of protecting the environment through a safe and controlled camping experience as well as:

Enhanced community values
Teamwork
Outdoor skills
Curiosity and the desire to work and do more in the outdoors
Respect for the outdoor world
Recognition of how fun the outdoors can be

Each WOW session is designed for 30-42 youths and is held in their neighborhood park. With the assistance of federal, state, and local agencies, the interactive instructional activities including learning:

Basic camping skills
Ecosystem and urban plants—nature and its many wonders
Astronomy - wonders of the night sky
Leave No Trace
Conservation -- caring for the environment

WOW is an introduction to the wonders and fun of camping and the outdoors. Campers receive valuable information, maps, and resources about outdoor recreation opportunities and other environmental programs available in their area to encourage them to continue their experience.

Last summer, Utah State Office BLM archaeologist, Julie McGee gave presentations about archaeology to the campers. Archaeology fit right into the theme of camps by providing education about the different native cultures of the area. Each camper had an opportunity to make his or her own "rock art" carving.

The WOW group counselors are AmeriCorps young people. These young people range between the ages of 18-24. The National Civilian Community Corps program puts together teams of 12 who complete 4/5 service projects during their program. WOW has applied to have one of the projects. There are 3 different service project categories: Scheduled Service Projects, Service Learning, and Independent Service Projects.

This coming spring, WOW AmeriCorps young people will complete their training at the BLM’s Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry National Natural Landmark. The young people will be doing a service project at Cleveland-Lloyd by putting up a fence for resource protection, rebuilding a trailside shade shelter previously blown away in a thunderstorm, and doing general trail maintenance. During their time at the quarry they will learn about its amazing scientific and historic value as well as interact with paleontologists working at the site. Following their service project they will spend a day in Nine Mile Canyon learning about the prehistoric rock art with a BLM archaeologist. This project has been designed to be part of the AmeriCorps training prior to the WOW summer camp-outs.

WOW is more than a program; it is a philosophy that fosters a belief that outdoor recreation and the environment play an important and positive role in American culture. Please help to look for ways that BLM can continue to help provide these outdoor experiences.

In addition to Utah, BLM sponsors WOW programs in Arizona, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. For more information on the Utah program, contact Sherry Foot, Volunteer Coordinator, Utah State Office at (801) 539-4195; email Sherry_Foot@blm.gov.

Last summer, Utah State Office BLM archaeologist Julie McGee gave presentations about archaeology to the campers.

For more information, log onto the following websites:
BLM Learning Landscapes Get Out and Join In

BLM Utah: Environmental Education on the Job

Bureau of Land Management Volunteer Feature

Bureau of Land Management
Volunteer Feature