Chambana Sun

The 2023 4-H Outdoor Skills Challenge provided young participants with the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities and showcase their skills throughout the spring and summer. The event, held in Urbana, Illinois, invited youth to immerse themselves in nature and demonstrate new skills to their 4-H leaders or trusted adults.

Participants faced various challenges such as wildlife encounters, forest trail navigation, and starting campfires without matches. The challenge was divided into three levels, each requiring different skill sets.

In Level 1, Katelyn Allen from White County emerged as the champion by demonstrating her abilities in finding directions without a compass, cooler packing, and flashlight skills. John Lewis from Tazewell County won Level 2 with his proficiency in knot tying, archery gear knowledge, and knife skills. Emmit Buban from Fulton County claimed victory in Level 3 by showcasing his expertise in wheel bearing maintenance, everyday tools and batteries usage, and ATV safety.

Curt Sinclair of the University of Illinois Extension praised all participants for their dedication: “All participants of the Outdoor Skills Challenge showed tremendous dedication, enthusiasm, and passion for the great outdoors.”

Calista Buban expressed pride in her son Emmit's achievements: "Emmit liked learning the differences between types of fillet knives... I know the knots made him frustrated... Knots are very useful."

The challenge aims to equip youth with valuable skills for both present use and future endeavors. For more information on outdoor programming available locally, individuals are encouraged to contact their local Extension Office.