Activities & outings

Guidelines when deciding to organize safe activities

Acceptable activities

The following activities are ACCEPTABLE to be conducted by a 4-H group for 4-H members. Discuss these activities with the Local Extension Educator to assess the risk, determine suitable safety training and ensure controls are in place to reduce or eliminate the potential for injuries, risks and hazards. See the corresponding information sheets.

  • Campfires, hayrides, parades

  • Recreational sports: hiking, running, walking

  • Team sports: softball, kickball, broomball, volleyball, etc.

  • Winter activities: ice fishing, skiing (cross country and downhill), snowboarding, sledding/tubing

  • Water activities: fishing, boating, canoeing/kayaking/sail boating, swimming, water balloons

Activities acceptable when part of a 4-H project

The following activities involve various types of motorized vehicles and equipment and are NOT allowed for general group recreational activities, but 4-H members MAY PARTICIPATE in them when they are part of a 4-H project learning or community service activity. Discuss these activities with the Local Extension Educator to assess the risk, determine suitable safety training and ensure controls are in place to reduce or eliminate the potential for injuries, risks and hazards.

  • All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), go carts, motorcycles, snowmobiles, motorboats, tiller, push and riding lawn mowers, tractors

Activities not allowed

The following activities or outings are NOT ALLOWED for club/county recreational activities due to the risk involved, lack of insurance coverage, and/or the lack of an educational purpose as part of the 4-H program.

  • Aviation activities - hang gliders, helicopter rides, hot air balloons, parachuting, private chartered airplanes

  • Winter related activities - sledding behind a motorized vehicle

  • Water related activities - jet skiing, parasailing, swimming in pits/quarries, rope swings over water, tubing behind a boat, water skiing

  • Dunk tanks, bungee jumping, laser tag and paintball

  • Construction equipment including skid loaders

  • NOTE – The following are NOT allowed when used for recreational purposes, but can be used when part of 4-H project work as described above: ATV’s, go karts, motorcycles, snowmobiles, motorboats, tillers, push and riding lawn mowers, tractors

Activities only allowed if conducted by another group

The following activities are only allowed if conducted by another business or organization. Trained instructors must present safety training with all participants. 4-H members are required to wear protective and safety gear at all times while participating, if appropriate. If the organization requires a waiver, contact the Local Extension Educator.

  • Adventure activities – go karts, high ropes, rock climbing, trampolines, zip lines

  • Bonfires (campfires are acceptable; discuss with Local Extension Educator)

  • Bounce houses

  • Hockey

  • Sleigh rides

  • Water related activities - tubing down a river, white water rafting, water parks

Contact

Pat Morreim, program manager, morre002@umn.edu, 763-427-5428