Great Green Idea: Green Parenting: Youth Organizations that Teach Green Living Values

Youth Organizations that Teach Green Living Values

Teaching green living values are becoming more wide spread among various youth organizations. While environmental issues are existent all around us, the next generation is moving forward with the help these organizations. Youth are learning new ways to make a difference in the world they live in through nationally based organizations as well as locally.

Girl Scouts of America

Girl Scouts of America is incorporating green living skills into program materials. Materials are based on several green living principles including using resources wisely, helping others, serving the country and service projects to make the world a better place. Girls of varying ages are encouraged to take action and develop useful changes within the world. They develop various leadership skills with a global focus by making one change at a time.

Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts of America is also bringing up boys by teaching green living principles. Programs are based on making the world a better place, leaving no trace principles, being a good citizen, helping people in the community as well as using property wisely. Boys of different ages work together bringing green living principles into action whether doing community work or camping together in the wilderness.

4-H Clubs

4-H Clubs teach youth across the United States to increase community service as well as to incorporate healthier living principles. Green living principles are a large part of the 4-H experience. Various topics which are taught to members include agricultural techniques, natural conservation, solving environmental issues, health, fitness, gardening as well as using natural resources. 4-H is a national organization promoting green living within the United States as well as 70 other countries.

Added Value

Added Value is an organization within the state of New York that also helps students to apply green living principles. Added Value recruits student volunteers to work on improving urban farming techniques. They apply farm based learning objectives by providing farm-to-classroom learning experiences as well as providing field trips. Added Value is a non-profit organization promoting green living principles to the next generation of leaders.

Green Corps

Green Corps is a youth organization promoting greener living and is based in Cleveland, Ohio. Students learn how to produce a healthier, greener living space for themselves and others. Each student works 16-20 hours each week on their own neighborhood farm. They work in teams to plant, weed, tend and harvest their crops for market.

Learners also obtain hands-on experience in a variety of ways including growing vegetables, developing leadership skills and to appreciate the earth. Ecology is also an integral addition to curriculum standards taught to the students. Learners also use composting methods to improve crop soil as well as providing healthier food options to the community.

Involving youth in organizations that teach green living principles is another way to reinforce concepts to the next generation. The world is dependent upon our children as leaders of tomorrow.