The Southern Alberta Youth Range Days is an interactive event for youth and families that are interested in learning about ‘working agricultural landscapes’ crucial to environmental sustainability. Youth Range Days celebrate our rural heritage by providing a mentoring environment for youth ages 13 to 18, learning in a fun, outdoor setting.

The three-day camp highlights learning about:

  • local wildlife
  • working ranches
  • plant identification
  • range health field sessions
  • riparian health

We place a high emphasis on the interconnectivity of our watershed resources and how it applies to ranch management. Camp attendees will be presented with a workbook that will be completed during the camp. Prizes are awarded based on participation and workbook completion, including our coveted “Top Hand” award.

To learn more and register for upcoming Youth Range Days, visit our Facebook Page: facebook.com/youthrangedays or contact youthrangedays@gmail.com.

History

11 years ago thoughts were tossed around that grazing schools and field tours were great ….but what about the youth?  Youth Range Days was born. Inspired by similar programs in the States, Southern Alberta Youth Range Days (YRDs) was developed for youth to learn and be inspired to promote stewardship of southern Alberta’s native working agricultural rangelands.

Locations

Youth Range Days locations rotate across southern Alberta, allowing the camp to be situated in different ecoregions of the prairies, offering a slightly different agenda each year. In addition to the core program, agenda items focus on local topics or guest speakers in order to highlight current events or people/areas of interest in that location.

Previous Events:

  • 2023: Del Bonita Campground & Hall
  • 2022: Battle Creek – Cypress Hills
  • 2019: Grain Hall- County of Forty Mile
  • 2018: Rangeview Ranch- Cardston County
  • 2017: Goldspring Park- Warner County 
  • 2016: Elkwater- Cypress County
  • 2015: Kimball- Cardston County
  • 2014: Aden – County of 40 Mile
  • 2013: Elkwater- Cypress County
  • 2012: Cardston County