For the past 6 years (and an additional 6 years when I was in the public school), I have coordinated a Roots & Shoots club for my kiddos. Roots & Shoots is the Jane Goodall Institute’s global environmental and humanitarian youth program. It is a powerful, youth-driven, global network of tens of thousands of members in more than 120 countries.
Together, youth from pre-K through college take action to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment. I love the concept of Roots & Shoots and have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this organization.
The projects and activities in which Roots & Shoots groups take part are as diverse as the groups themselves. The membership requirements are minimal, the coordinator’s handbook states that groups must:
- plan and implement at least one on-going community service project each year;
- address at least one of the three Roots & Shoots themes: the environment, animals and the human community;
- submit an activity report to the Roots & Shoots national office at least twice each year; and
- pay the membership fee and update their contact information annually.
To receive a Certificate of Recognition and be considered an “active group” you must:
- plan and implement service projects that cover all three Roots & Shoots themes. This could mean one of two things:
- plan at least 3 different projects a year that address care and concern for the environment, care and concern for animals and care and concern for the community;
- plan one or two larger projects that cover more than one of the major themes. Some groups focus on one year-long project that addresses all three themes.
- submit at least 3 activity reports and a year-long portfolio.
We have earned a Certificate of Recognition each year and look forward to someday taking part in the leadership programs. We hope to someday also attend a Roots & Shoots summit whereby we can meet other groups.
2 comments
Heather
February 21, 2011 at 2:39 pm
well, thank you for this. I have never heard of this, but it goes right along with our Nature loving kids. I am going to look it up!
Jesse,
February 21, 2011 at 6:43 pm
We face the same problem. 3 boys, 2 girls age differences. We would be gone more than home if we tried to join Scouts, but I really enjoyed the experience when I was younger. Our state has a Pioneer club – but it’s largely on an individual basis. Perhaps I should try to start a group so many families could get involved – you’ve given me something to think about.
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