Nature Ninja Warrior

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2019

The Nature Ninja Warrior Program is designed to grow parks and recreational professionals of the future and recruit the currently unaware. Middle and high school students from underserved urban and rural communities participate in unique nature based experiences in the “real world” and develop professionally as they learn park and natural resource management, outdoor experiential learning, and environmental recreation with an emphasis on job, life, and leadership skills.The program is free to join, however, students are selected through an application process, much like applying for employment in the profession. Nature Ninja Warriors are provided the experiential job training in the nature field, transportation assistance, program shirts, lunches and a graduation ceremony. Graduates may continue to build upon skills learned by having first opportunity to participate in similar parks and recreation related programs and work experience opportunities.Nature Ninja Warrior post program participant surveys demonstrate that a minimum of 85% of youth improved proficiency in the following areas: independence, teamwork, responsibility, friendship skills, competency, exploration skills, affinity for nature, and problem solving confidence.