WE INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION – HELP US INVEST IN THE FUTURE
The future of cold, clean rivers and streams depends on a steady stream of advocates and conservationists stepping forward to roll up their sleeves, raise their voices and invest their time and talent. To make this vision a reality, the Hiwassee Chapter dedicates hundreds of hours a year connecting kids to the outdoors, providing meaningful watershed and environmental education opportunities and mentoring burgeoning young conservationists.
Our youth education work relies on volunteers and supporters to be successful and thanks to all of you, we are able to:
- Run Trout In the Classroom programs in 10 schools, reaching more than 2000 students each year
- Partner with Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts to offer merit badge support and our STREAM Girls program
- Lead youth and family fishing days across the region and support summer camps with fly fishing and tying
Last year, we held a total of 10 youth events and programs and reached more than 3000 students, scouts and campers in the classroom and out in the woods learning about our shared responsibility to care for and recover our local waters.
Support our youth education work today! As an all-volunteer organization, we need your time, expertise and donations to continue our great work!
HEADWATERS YOUTH PROGRAM
TU’s Headwaters Youth Program contains a developmental model called the “Stream of Engagement” that strives to provide opportunities for involvement at all ages and interest levels. Some programs like Trout in the Classroom and STREAM Girls put a heavy focus on watershed-based STEM learning, while others like the TU Summer Trout Camps and Academies serve as Fly Fishing 101 experiences for teen participants. With an evolving high school club program and college capstone called the TU 5 Rivers on over 100 college campuses across the U.S. we are keeping youth connected to conservation into adulthood.
Headwaters also offers youth memberships, Stream Explorers (ages 12 and under) and TU Teens (ages 13 to 17), that contain fun elements such as a trout-focused kids’ magazine, Stream Explorers and Teen stickers, and fun premium items like hats, books and logoed youth fly rods.
Learn more at www.tu.org/headwaters