4-H Stream Teams
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What is a 4-H Stream Team?
A group of youth actively engaged in water education and activities in their own community. 4-H Stream Teams complete 4-H Water Project activities and learn about the water that flows through their local watershed. Activities include topics such as water use and conservation, water science and cycles, and water quality. 4-H Stream Teams also choose and participate in service projects as identified in their watershed. Service projects may lead to improved water use efficiency in a community or address water quality issues and enhancements in a local stream among other important topics.
How do I become part of the 4-H Stream Teams program?
4-H Stream Teams can be brand new groups of youth with a screened adult volunteer as part of the PA 4-H program, but they can also be existing groups of youth (school clubs, afterschool programs, scout troops, etc…) interested in using the 4-H Stream Team program as an enhancement to their existing progam.
4-H Stream Teams Volunteer Training
In January and February of 2013, we hosted a four part online training for new 4-H Stream Team Volunteers. To watch recordings of the trainings, visit: http://ecosystems.psu.edu/youth/4-h-stream-teams/volunteer-training
or contact: Jennifer Fetter - Watershed/Youth Development Educator: (717) 921-8803 or 4Hwater@psu.edu
4-H Stream Teams pilot program in the Conewago Creek Watershed
The 4-H Stream Teams program is currently being piloted in the Conewago Creek Watershed, located in central Pennsylvania at the union of Dauphin, Lebanon and Lancaster Counties. The Conewago Stream Teams program has several existing teams and is also seeking new teams interested in forming. If you are interested in joining an existing Conewago Stream Team, or think you might like to form a new Conewago Stream Team, contact Jennifer Fetter, Watershed/Youth Development Extension Educator - Penn State Cooperative Extension (jrf21@psu.edu).
4-H Stream Teams are now forming throughout Pennsylvania!!!
If you are interested in bringing the 4-H Stream Team program to a portion of Pennsylvania outside of our Conewago pilot program, please contact Sanford Smith, Extension Specialist - Penn State Department of Ecosystem Science and Management (sss5@psu.edu).
The pilot Stream Teams program, Conewago Stream Teams, taking place in Dauphin, Lebanon, and Lancaster Counties uses Facebook to share helpful information and opportunities with team leaders, members, and friends of the program.
This site contains links to PDF versions of the 4-H Water Project books and introductory video presentations that can be watched by leaders/teachers preparing to present the project(s) to a group of youth or by the participating youth themselves.
At one time or another, everyone needs a little more information on completing activities in the 4-H Stream Teams program. These How-To guides are designed to provide you with the direction you need to have a more successful 4-H Stream Teams experience.
Watch recordings of the four-part, interactive trainings by following the links below, or contact 4Hwater@psu.edu to discuss options for scheduling a live training for a large group.
One key component of the 4-H Stream Teams model is completing community service activities that directly benefit water in our own communities. Here are some ideas to motivate you and the youth you work with!
The Dive Deeper Summit is a gathering of youth water educators in the Mid-Atlantic Region where knowledge and resource sharing is paired with outstanding networking opportunities.
A hands-on, inquiry based activity that helps older youth and adults learn about water quality issues surrounding small watersheds and the decision making processes that go into improving those water quality issues. Awarded in 2012 by the National Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) and the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA)
