Grow Youth Program

 Grow Youth nurtures environmental stewardship through scientific inquiry and service learning.

Program Overview

The Grow Youth Program combines hands-on scientific field studies and service-learning projects to promote critical thinking and environmental responsibility while contributing to habitat restoration. The program is a collaboration between Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council and the Medford District Bureau of Land Management.

Program Components

Field Studies:

Our high-quality field studies use environmental education best practices to immerse students in scientific concepts and processes. Field study topics have included macroinvertebrate sampling, stream geology, botany, salmon biology, soil science, and much more. Previous curriculums have focused on natural resource management and the study of earth systems. The curriculum is updated annually to provide students with a new experience each year.

Service-Learning:

Students have the opportunity to take an active role in the restoration of the Provolt Recreation Site through a variety of service-learning projects. These projects include removing invasive plants, maintaining a pollinator garden, restoring the riparian zone, building trails, and more. Service-learning promotes practical skill-building, increases a sense of community engagement, and introduces students to a variety of environmental careers.

Program Features

Free Programming

Grow Youth is supported by grant funding. This means that classes can register for field trips at no cost to schools or families. Program availability is dependent on our funding status, which changes on an annual basis.

Provolt Recreation Site

Our program site boasts an abundance of natural resources that provide a unique and dynamic learning environment. These features include the Applegate River, woodlands, meadows, and a network of trails.

Flexible Scheduling

We will tailor your Grow Youth experience to fit your scheduling needs. Some classes visit once or twice, while others attend several times over the course of the season and even over multiple years.

Differentiated Curriculum

Our standards-aligned, place-based curriculum caters to all learning styles and offers different lessons for different grade levels. The curriculum is updated each year so that returning students build upon their previous experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Elementary, middle, and high school classes from public and private schools in Jackson and Josephine Counties. We also serve local homeschool groups.

  • Grow Youth is available throughout the fall in September-December

    • 10:00-10:30 - Arrival & Opening

    • 10:30-11:30 - Field Study

    • 11:30-12:00 - Lunch

    • 12:00-1:00 - Service Learning

    • 1:00-1:15 - Closing & Departure

  • Please fill out the contact form below to begin the registration process. After that, one of our staff members will reach out and assist you with registration as our availability is dependent on our funding status, which changes on an annual basis.

    • Hiking boots or sneakers (close-toed shoes are required)

    • Warm socks

    • Long pants

    • Rain coat and/or warm jacket

    • Warm hat

    • Rain pants (if you have them)

    • Water bottle

    • Backpack

    • Sun protection (i.e., hat, sunscreen)

  • The program is staffed by trained educators and nature lovers from APWC and the Medford District BLM

    • 14171 Williams Hwy, Grants Pass, OR 97527

    • The Provolt Recreation Site (PRS) sits on 294 acres at the border of Jackson and Josephine Counties. PRS is co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management and APWC. Grow Youth takes place in the site’s public day-use area.

    • Featuring the longest publicly accessible stretch of the Applegate River, a woodland, and a meadow, PRS is an abundant setting for hands-on outdoor learning.

  • Grow Youth is funded entirely through grants. Current and previous grantors include the U.S Department of the Interior, the Carpenter Foundation, the Coquille Tribal Community Fund, the National Environmental Education Foundation, KOGAP, and Rogue Credit Union.

Grow Youth Program Final Reports

2025 Final Report

Contact us about Grow Youth!

If you have questions or would like to register for Grow Youth, please fill out our contact form. One of our staff members will reach out to answer your questions or to assist you with registration.