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NEWS & OPINION
SNOWMOBILING 4-H OFFICIALLY READY
Posted: 7/30/2004
Snowmobiling 4-H is now an officially published curriculum in the Washington State University Publications Guide and is ready for anyone and everyone who wants to begin a club!! The original snowmobile 4-H program was active during the early- and mid-1970s, but due to lack of participation in the late 70s and early 80s, the program became defunct.
In a cooperative effort, the Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Department, Washington State University (WSU) and the Washington State Snowmobile Association (WSSA) have made this program available.
Snowmobiling 4-H appeals to young people whose families are involved in this winter recreation and incorporates study material directed at teaching young snowmobilers to be safe, responsible, proactive and environmentally considerate.
WHAT IS TAUGHT AND WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE CURRICULUM?
Information for this curriculum has been contributed from many experts. From the Northwest Avalanche Center, Ken White wrote a chapter that teaches about safety while snowmobiling in avalanche areas. Included are diagrams, pictures and tables showing where and how avalanches occur and what to do if riders are affected by an avalanche.
Senator Patty Murray and Senator Slade Gorton both readily contributed material about how important it is for youth to work with elected officials. The youth are the future of the sport and educating them about how laws are created and how to effectively communicate with elected officials will benefit them in many areas of life, even beyond the 4-H curriculum.
A detailed chapter addressing environmental stewardship has been contributed by Tim Foss from the Cle Elum, WA, Ranger District. He addresses and stresses the importance of respecting the wilderness areas, choosing play areas carefully so as to not damage plants nor disturb wildlife. He stresses repeatedly to bring all trash out that is carried in by snowmobilers.
The chapter that talks about communicating with the media was gathered from information made available from Gretchen Borck, Washington Association of Wheat Growers Executive Director. This chapter tells how to write a news article, what to expect when doing an interview with news media, how to write a press release and topics of interest to the general public.
Washington State Parks Snowmobile Safety Course information has been included in the curriculum in its entirety. When 4-H members ages 12 to 16 complete the student text materials, they will be eligible to receive their Safety Certification from State Parks upon passing a written examination. This certificate is required by Washington State law for young people to operate their snowmobiles on public roads and in Sno-Parks.
The safety portion of the text covers many facets of snowmobiling, including basic snowmobile repairs and maintenance, history of the sport, how to dress when riding, actual riding techniques, basic first aid and survival techniques and interacting with other winter recreationists who use the trails.
The program has been compiled by Aileen Warren, WSSA member, and teaches a moderate approach to using snowmobiles as a means for family fun in the winter and supplies true-to-life snowmobiling experiences to raise the student's awareness about proper snowmobiling and etiquette all year long!
HOW TO START A SNOWMOBILE 4-H CLUB IN WASHINGTON STATE:
How does a snowmobile 4-H club get started? Here's a checklist:
[ ] An adult leader must go to the local WSU County Extension Agent's office and request the materials necessary to establish their club.
[ ] Volunteer leaders fill out and submit a Washington State Patrol background check request.
[ ] Contact Aileen Warren to obtain the snowmobile 4-H leader and student materials.
[ ] Undergo the Volunteer Leader Training for the 4-H program with the County Agent and the local 4-H Leader's Council to understand the requirements for 4-H and be able to teach them to the 4-H members.
[ ] Be or be willing to become a Certified Snowmobile Safety Course Instructor. If you find someone who is currently certified as a Safety Course Instructor, they may sign on with the club as a Project Leader and fulfill this requirement. State Parks and WSSA will make people available to work one-on-one with leaders to achieve this fairly simple criteria.
OBTAINING MATERIALS IN STATES OTHER THAN WASHINGTON:
For states and provinces other than Washington who are interested in viewing and participating in the snowmobiling 4-H curriculum, here is how to obtain the materials:
[ ] Send a written request on state or provincial snowmobile association letterhead requesting a CD copy of the curriculum. Without the active support of the state or provincial association, the necessary support and promotion of the 4-H program cannot be achieved effectively.
[ ] Mail the request to: Colleen Maguire, Winter Recreation Program Administrator, P O Box 42662, Olympia WA 98504-2662.
[ ] After viewing the information, individual states may approach their snowmobile administrators and State University Cooperative Extension 4-H Departments to proceed with developing a program specific to their own locale.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
- WSSA - Aileen Warren, 442 Bundy Hollow, Dayton, WA 99328. Phone: (509) 382-3008. E-Mail: flyingw@bmi.net
- WSU - Jerry A. Newman, Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist, Department of Human Development, 323 Hulbert Hall, PO Box 646236, WSU, Pullman, WA 99164-6236. Phone: (509) 335-2800. E-Mail: newmanj@mail.wsu.edu
- WA State Parks - Colleen Maguire, Winter Recreation Program Administrator, P O Box 42662, Olympia WA 98504-2662. Phone: (360) 586-6646. E-Mail: colleen.magure@parks.wa.gov
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