North Dakota Game and Fish Introduces Theodore Roosevelt Award for Youth
OutdoorHub 10.10.11
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is promoting a Theodore Roosevelt award that recognizes North Dakota youth who have advanced outdoor skills and are active in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts or 4-H.
Bill Jensen, the department’s coordinator for the award, said the award is inspired by Roosevelt’s spirit and writings. “Our agency developed the award in 2008 to honor the 150th anniversary of the birth of this remarkable American,” he said. “Our goal is to promote the development of a healthy mind and body, good citizenship, a strong conservation ethic, an understanding of North Dakota’s natural history, and the ability to handle oneself while engaging in a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities.”
Existing programs developed by Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and 4-H constitute more than 80 percent of the award requirements. The remaining criteria are composed of educational programs that the Game and Fish Department provides, such as hunter education, National Archery in the Schools and learning about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
The Game and Fish Department believes a young adult who completes the selected requirements for their chosen youth organization will not only be a well-rounded and well-informed citizen, Jensen said, but also will have mastered skills needed to handle an active life outdoors.
In addition to training youth for a wide variety of outdoor adventures, this award program is intended to assist in the retention and involvement of North Dakota youth in 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Adult advisors wishing to obtain copies of the Theodore Roosevelt Award Workbook can download and print them off the education/outreach link at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.
Additional questions can be directed to Jensen at (701) 220-5031, or email bjensen@nd.gov.
