Urban ROOTS

(Reshaping Outreach Opportunities Through Self-Discovery)

An Exploration Experience for Urban Youth

 

A collaboration with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, The Ohbuckeye, leaf, and rootsio State University (OSU), the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), OSU Extension Franklin County, and local community partners.

Eighth graders from the urban core of Franklin County will experience hands-on and immersive learning opportunities that focus on food, agriculture, the environment, and related technologies in their lives. 

The experiential program includes:

  • Year-round campus and community educational programs
  • Neighborhood-based youth and family engagement
  • Open house visits to connect the university and community
  • Bus tours to events, such as the Franklin County Fair and Farm Science Review
  • Five-day, 4-night residential summer camp on campus for 40 youth selected based on their program participation

Priority for this program is given to students from the Columbus, Whitehall, South-Western, and Reynoldsburg school districts.

Collaborative

  • The dynamic curriculum includes a series of interactive guides, experiences, and resources for youth, families, educators, community leaders, and volunteers.

Innovative

  • Continual innovation will come through the guidance of youth, the emergence of new opportunities, and program evaluation.

Trusted

  • OSU Extension demonstrates best practices with youth safety, respectful community engagement, and dynamic camp operations.

For more information please contact Stacie Burbage, Program Coordinator, Community Catalyst at 614-292-6279 or burbage.1@osu.edu.