Youth - Education • Arkansas Game & Fish Commission https://www.agfc.com/category/education/group/youth/ Mon, 18 Aug 2025 20:31:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 Volunteer https://www.agfc.com/education/volunteer/ Tue, 15 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://agfc.wpengine.com/?page_id=4701 The post Volunteer appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>

Volunteer

Like Arkansas’s natural resources, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s educational programs depend on the support of people with a passion for the natural world.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of regional conservation education efforts. They work with everything from computers and photography to trail building and canoe instruction. Everyone has something to contribute to the outdoors, and we encourage people from all walks of life to participate.

Volunteerism benefits our facilities and our visitors, but there’s no feeling quite like sharing your passion for the outdoor world with a newcomer. Your time and enthusiasm are not only among the least-expensive ways to help, they’re the greatest and most appreciated donations you can give.


Students in the class of 2027 and beyond are now required to complete community service to earn a high school diploma in Arkansas. (ACT 237 of 2023, pages 38-39).

This law includes that students earn 15 hours of community service in 9th grade, and 20 hours each year for grades 10, 11, and 12 equal to 75 hours of service required for graduation.

School administrators are invited to complete the form below to become endorsed with AGFC for youth volunteer opportunities to fulfill the required hours.

AGFC will provide multiple organized youth volunteer opportunities for students and schools in all regions around the state.

Leah Hughes

Volunteer Program Coordinator

Phone 501-297-9519

Contacts

Adeline Boyd
adeline.boyd@agfc.ar.gov
870-276-9768

The post Volunteer appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>
Stream Team https://www.agfc.com/education/stream-team/ Fri, 20 Sep 2024 19:51:11 +0000 https://www.agfc.com/?page_id=16166 The post Stream Team appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>

Stream Team

 

Sept. 26 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Benton Event Center

You’re invited to enjoy a fun-filled day with AGFC and our partners! Celebrate landowner successes, participate in several breakout sessions to explore ways to improve your land for wildlife and check out new and innovative equipment to help you manage your property. The keynote presentation and catfish fry are included in admission.

Register now!

Are you a landowner and want to learn more about the Stream Habitat Program? Learn about the resources available on our Stream Habitat Program page.

Educating and Empowering Arkansans for Aquatic Conservation

More than 90,000 miles of streams lace The Natural State, from the mighty Arkansas River to small creeks you can jump across. These rivers, streams, bayous, creeks and springs provide millions of hours of recreational activity, millions of gallons of drinking water, water for irrigation and industry, and millions of dollars of income to the state and its citizens.

Unfortunately, we’ve hurt the quality of many waterways. We’ve lost thousands of miles of free-flowing, natural streams to damming, industrial and agricultural pollution and other activities. Support your local waterway by sponsoring a Stream Team.


How to Get Involved

The Stream Team program is a resource to help educators and community leaders take initiative in conservation of our local waterways. Those interested can register to sponsor a Stream Team and adopt a waterway of their choice. Sponsors are required to participate in Stream Team training and conduct at least three monitoring sessions each year. This training is eligible as Professional Development hours for educators. In order to support consistent monitoring, sponsors will receive a Stream Team Kit including macroinvertebrate sampling nets, waders, basic water quality monitoring set, reusable mesh waste bags, and other support materials.


Looking to Dive Deeper?

Stream Team Sponsors looking to enhance or supplement their monitoring tools are also eligible to apply for a Wildlife Education Grant. Grant funds can be used by educators to purchase any additional equipment or supplies to help expand their Stream Team capabilities.


Data Recording & Stream Team Mapper

Stream Team Data Submission

Submit Stream Team monitoring data for Macroinvertebrate Sampling, Water Quality Testing, or other activities.

Stream Team Mapper

This Mapper will provide you basic data visualization tools to look at your data as it was submitted in the survey.


Need More?

For any additional information regarding Stream Team offerings or data reporting please contact the Stream Team Coordinator.

John Burden

Stream Team Program Coordinator

Phone 501-621-5693
Address
23 Joe Hogan Lane
Lonoke, AR

Search Education

More on In the Classroom

The post Stream Team appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>
Youth Shooting Sports (YSS) https://www.agfc.com/education/youth-shooting-sports/ Thu, 22 Jun 2023 21:45:37 +0000 https://agfc.wpengine.com/?page_id=4579 The post Youth Shooting Sports (YSS) appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>

Youth Shooting Sports (YSS)

About

Youth Shooting Sports aims to bring the joy of the outdoors and the rewards of safely learning to shoot to young Arkansans. Have you ever considered competing in the Olympics or a national shooting championship? This program from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission could be a start.

Youth Shooting Sports has two divisions: junior and senior. The junior division is for grades 5-8 and the senior division is for grades 9-12. Home-schooled students compete in the division they would be in if they were in public school. Home-schooled students 15 or older must compete in the senior division. Trap shooting is the sanctioned sport of Youth Shooting Sports. The season begins February 1.

Any type of shotgun action is allowed, as long as the bore is 12 or 20 gauge. Release triggers and exposed hammers are not allowed. Trap machines that throw targets at unknown angles are used. The state coordinator may specify models of trap machines for Youth Shooting Sports events. All shooters and coaches must wear appropriate eye and ear protection.


2025 Regional and State Tournament Info

All teams must be on the field and ready to compete 45 minutes prior to their scheduled time to compete. No ammunition is allowed on the AGFF shooting sports complex range grounds during YSS tournaments. Anyone caught having any ammunition on their person or vehicle will be grounds for disqualification of the team. Youth Shooting Sports will provide all competitors their needed ammunition once they take the competition line.

2025 State Tournament Dates

  • May 30, 2025 for Juniors
  • May 31, 2025 for Seniors

2025 Tournament Results

Click here to view the 2025 Tournament Results. 

 

2025 Youth Shooting Sports Regional Map

2025 Tournament Dates:

  • April 25, 2025 for Juniors
  • April 26, 2025 for Seniors

2025 Tournament Dates:

  • May 2, 2025 for Juniors
  • May 3, 2025 for Seniors

2025 Tournament Dates:

  • May 9, 2025 for Juniors
  • May 10, 2025 for Seniors

2025 Tournament Dates:

  • May 16, 2025 for Juniors
  • May 17, 2025 for Seniors

Team Terms

Each participant must be on a team. Teams commonly represent schools, 4-H Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church youth groups and other organizations, although anyone may form a group. Each team must have a coach and must meet these requirements:

  • A team must have at least five members.
  • Teams shoot in squads of five members.
  • A team may field as many squads as it can fill.
  • Participants must take part in at least five team practices.
  • Practices must be held on different days.
  • Regional and state competitions do not count as practice.
  • Each participant must shoot at least 25 targets at each practice.
  • Each team must register with the Youth Shooting Sports state coordinator.

A shoot is a competition between at least two teams. A regional meet is a competition among shooting squads from a geographic area that are trying to qualify for the state championship.

Only registered Youth Shooting Sports participants are allowed to compete and practice. All teams must be registered by March 1. Only coaches may register teams. Click on the link below to register.

Registration is available online. First time users will enter their AGFC Coach ID Number and Last Name. Returning users will enter their Username and Password.


Team Support Packages

A shooting team may apply for an Youth Shooting Sports grant. A team must have at least five members and must practice at least five times. A grant will provide a basic team support package which includes:

  • Targets
  • Ammunition
  • Protective glasses
  • Ear protection

Coach Info and Team Registration

Coaches must be 21 to apply and must be certified by AGFC to participate in the program. Contact the YSS program coordinator to learn more. Program forms including Practice Log, Shotgun Checkout, Tournament Score Sheet, Trap Machine Checkout and Trap Machine Grant Application can be found under the Documents tab.

New Coach Training

Active Coaches


Documents


Contact

Steven Johnson

Youth Shooting Sports Coordinator

Phone 501-425-6315
Address
2800 Graham Road
Jacksonville, AR

Search Education

More on In the Classroom

The post Youth Shooting Sports (YSS) appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>
Educational Programming https://www.agfc.com/education/educational-programming/ Thu, 18 May 2023 15:40:31 +0000 https://agfc.wpengine.com/?page_id=1918 The post Educational Programming appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>

Educational Programming

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission offers educational programming for people of all ages and skills across the state.

Find and explore your passion for the outdoors at a nature center, local fishing derby, school or more! With dozens of programs specializing in skills such as fishing, archery or birding, there are exciting classes waiting for you to discover.

Bring the Outdoors Into Your Community

Click here to request AGFC support for community events, education outreach in your school and more.


Education Programs

Engage your students of any age with standards-based activities and support for conservation education in the field through these programs:

Conservation Scholarships

Internship Opportunities

Search Education

More on In the Classroom

The post Educational Programming appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>
Free Publications https://www.agfc.com/education/free-publications/ Sun, 14 May 2023 23:53:42 +0000 https://agfc.wpengine.com/?page_id=1387 The post Free Publications appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>

Free Publications

The following documents are free downloadable documents in PDF format for your use. If you have a problem printing a document, call 833-356-0834.

My First Certificates

Coloring Books

Birds and Waterfowl

Mammals

Fish and Reptiles

Misc. Publications

AGFC Careers

Search Education

More on Free Publications for Kids

The post Free Publications appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>
Archery in the Schools (AIS) https://www.agfc.com/education/archery-in-the-schools/ Fri, 12 May 2023 19:09:58 +0000 https://agfc.wpengine.com/?page_id=1276 The post Archery in the Schools (AIS) appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>

Archery in the Schools (AIS)

About Us

Archery is a great way to sharpen skills, build self-esteem and create a stronger atmosphere for success in the classroom.

The Archery in the Schools Program (AIS) – part of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) – targets students as young as fourth grade and as old as high school seniors. They learn archery skills, as well as an outdoor hobby they may enjoy for the rest of their lives.


Benefits of Archery

Kids of many physical skill levels can enjoy archery. A little concentration and hand-to-eye coordination is all it takes. Not only will students enjoy archery in the classroom, they’ll get the chance to display their skills at a state archery tournament sponsored by the AGFC.

Arkansas students will join thousands of others across the U.S. and Canada who have enjoyed and learned from NASP.


Beginning is Easy

Archery is fun and beneficial in many ways, but it’s also relatively inexpensive and simple. Archery in the Schools requires a Genesis bow with a universal draw length and a wide range of draw weights. It works for just about everyone, right- or left-handed. Young archers love this bow, which comes in a variety of colors.

A National Archery in the Schools Program kit, which costs about $3,000, includes:

  • 12 Genesis Bows
  • 5 Targets
  • 1 Backstop
  • 60 Regulation Aluminum Arrows
  • 1 Repair Kit

Money for Archery in the Schools Program may come from many sources, including Act 799 of 2003, which sends fine money collected from violators of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulations to all 75 counties. The money is earmarked for conservation education in schools.

The AGFC may offer grants for archery equipment. Contact the AGFC for more information at 833-345-0325. Conservation groups also may be interested in helping support the Archery in the Schools Program.

Download any of the following forms found on the NASP website.

Order Forms | Public Schools and Government Agencies

  • Public School/Government Order Form
  • Federal Excise Tax (FET) Form
  • Arrow Parts Order Form
  • Bow Parts Order Form
  • Mini, Parts, Scorecard, Paper Face Order Form
  • Target Replacement/3D/Paper Face Order Form
  • Bowcase/Banner/Stringbow/Armguard Order Form
  • Academic Archer Patch/Decal Order Form
  • BAI/Scorecard Order Form

 

Order Forms | Private Schools and Non-Profit Organizations

  • Private School/Non-Profit Order Form
  • Arrow Parts Order Form
  • Bow Parts Order Form
  • Mini, Parts, Scorecard, Paper Face Order Form
  • Target Replacement/3D/Paper Face Order Form
  • Bowcase/Banner/Stringbow/Armguard Order Form
  • Academic Archer Patch/Decal Order Form
  • BAI/Scorecard Order Form

 

Other Forms

  • Federal Excise Tax (FET) | Public Schools/Government Only
  • NASP W-9 | Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification

Grant Applications

The AIS State Qualifier Equipment Grant aims to support schools in hosting AIS State Qualifier Tournaments events. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission provides this grant to help schools become self-sufficient in running state qualifying tournaments, showcasing their facilities and archery programs while generating revenue for their archery programs and student organizations.

The AIS 3D Equipment Grant aims to support schools in hosting AIS tournaments and events. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission provides this grant to help schools become self-sufficient in running state qualifying tournaments, showcasing their facilities and archery programs while generating revenue for their archery programs and student organizations.


For any questions, please contact:

Aimee Swaim

Archery in the Schools Program Coordinator

Phone 501-246-1495
Address
2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR

Search Education

More on In the Classroom

The post Archery in the Schools (AIS) appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>
Fishing in the Natural State (FINS) https://www.agfc.com/education/fishing-in-the-natural-state/ Thu, 11 May 2023 22:37:23 +0000 https://agfc.wpengine.com/?page_id=1197 The post Fishing in the Natural State (FINS) appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>

Fishing in the Natural State (FINS)

CATEGORY

The Fishing In the Natural State Program was created for use in any Arkansas school. The primary focus is on grades 4-12. The program can also accommodate civic clubs and organizations. The curriculum provided to schools includes eight units covering Fish and Fishing, Ecology, Habitats, and the Human Impact on the environment. These lessons can be used in any type of classroom including, but not limited to Science, Math, English and Physical Education.


Through this program, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is striving to instill a culture of conservation and stewardship in our school age population. Each applicant is asked to complete at least one conservation program through the year and sponsor a fishing derby. To help accomplish these goals, a Fishing in the Natural State kit is provided. The kit includes rods and reels, tackle, and a classroom set of various support materials. Fishing in the Natural State Program participants are also eligible to apply for Wildlife Education Grant funds (use of fine revenue.) Funds may be used by educators to purchase any needed supplies and equipment as well as take students on field trips to AGFC Nature Centers and Wildlife Management Areas.

Seminar/Clinic Request Form

Submit a form to request a Seminar or a Clinic.


Program Coordinator

James (Bo) Davidson

Fishing in the Natural State Program Coordinator

Phone 501-604-3774
Mobile 501-438-1663
Address
23 Joe Hogan Lane
Lonoke, AR

The post Fishing in the Natural State (FINS) appeared first on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

]]>