Like Arkansas’s natural resources, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s educational programs depend on the support of people with a passion for the natural world.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of regional conservation education efforts. They work with everything from computers and photography to trail building and canoe instruction. Everyone has something to contribute to the outdoors, and we encourage people from all walks of life to participate.

Volunteerism benefits our facilities and our visitors, but there’s no feeling quite like sharing your passion for the outdoor world with a newcomer. Your time and enthusiasm are not only among the least-expensive ways to help, they’re the greatest and most appreciated donations you can give.

Students in the class of 2027 and beyond are now required to complete community service to earn a high school diploma in Arkansas. (ACT 237 of 2023, pages 38-39).

Contacts

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission educators are available to come to your location to teach about wildlife and the outdoors at your school, civic group, library, church, home-school group or other organized group.

Topics we cover include:

• Conservation education and wildlife biology
• Setting up and teaching basic archery or bowhunting
• Hunting skills, including working with you to teach hunting
• Fishing clinics, classes and skill building at any level or fishing type
• Arkansas wildlife biology, identification and viewing
• Birding skills and taking groups to view birds
• Hunter Education
• Boater Education
• ATV Safety
• Outdoor and/or wild game cooking techniques and recipes
• Orienteering
• Rifle, pistol and shotgun firearms safety and instruction
• Helping teachers meet academic standards and requirements through customized activities in your classroom
• And anything else outdoors or wildlife related you can think of!

For Schools and Teachers

Engage your students of any age with standards-based activities and support for conservation education in the field through these programs:

Fishing in the Natural State

Curriculum and resource kits for 4th-12th grade classrooms teaching fishing, stream ecology and/or biology. Educators who attend training are eligible for kits, fishing derbies and in-class fish dissections with AGFC staff.

Project WILD

Project WILD is a K-12 teacher professional development program rooted in nature that helps educators bring the outdoors to their students. Educators who attend training receive activity guides and support for their classroom.

Growing Up Wild

This early childhood education guide helps preschool and early elementary educators build on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them.

Outdoor Adventures

This outdoor skill building and conservation education program for middle and high school students offers curriculum, training and equipment for an outdoor recreation physical education course, agriculture or wildlife biology and management class.

Hunter Education and Boater Education

Teachers are encouraged to become a certified Hunter and/or Boater Education instructor. AGFC will provide you training and all the materials you need to incorporate these important skills into your classroom.

Wildlife Education Grants

Fines collected from game and fish citations return to the county where the offense occurred. AGFC and the Rural Services division work together to grant these funds to schools and conservation districts for conservation and outdoor education. Applications are due in October each year.

Archery in the Schools

Archery in the Schools Program (AIS) – part of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) – targets students as young as fourth grade and as old as high school seniors. AGFC certifies coaches and PE teachers to teach archery skills and offer tournaments for students.

Youth Shooting Sports

Trap-shooting program for students. Teams are invited to participate in regional and state tournaments.

What is the Outdoor Adventures Course in Schools?

Outdoor Adventures is a fun and exciting co-ed physical education course, local elective, or Ag Science wildlife management class. Students are taught life-long skills by using an integrated curriculum of science, math, writing, critical thinking, and computer technology. This innovative curriculum is through the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation with support from AGFC.

Outdoor Activities Include:

• Fishing
• Archery
• Boater Education
• Hunter Education
• Orienteering
• Survival Skills
• First Aid/CPR
• Trip Planning
• Tackle Crafts
• Hiking
• Backpacking
• Camping Outdoor
• Cooking Wildlife
• Conservation

How can I get this course in my school?

The Outdoor Adventures curriculum order form is available under the education tab at GoOTF.com. There is a one-time fee for the curriculum.

Outdoor Adventures curriculum is aligned to the national standards NPE K-12, 1-7

The curriculum includes:

1. Complete scope and sequence
2. Course syllabus
3. Complete daily lesson plans for 36 weeks
4. Many lessons incorporate STEM, cross-curricular opportunities, writing, community projects and standardized test applications.

To learn more about the course contact:

The Outdoor Adventures teacher training is done through the Education Division of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. For information on trainings, contact:

Click the picture below to download a pdf of the AIS State Participation Certificate:

About Us

Archery is a great way to sharpen skills, build self-esteem and create a stronger atmosphere for success in the classroom.

The Archery in the Schools Program (AIS) – part of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) – targets students as young as fourth grade and as old as high school seniors. They learn archery skills, as well as an outdoor hobby they may enjoy for the rest of their lives.

Benefits of Archery

Kids of many physical skill levels can enjoy archery. A little concentration and hand-to-eye coordination is all it takes. Not only will students enjoy archery in the classroom, they’ll get the chance to display their skills at a state archery tournament sponsored by the AGFC.

Arkansas students will join thousands of others across the U.S. and Canada who have enjoyed and learned from NASP.

Beginning is Easy

Archery is fun and beneficial in many ways, but it’s also relatively inexpensive and simple. Archery in the Schools requires a Genesis bow with a universal draw length and a wide range of draw weights. It works for just about everyone, right- or left-handed. Young archers love this bow, which comes in a variety of colors.

A National Archery in the Schools Program kit, which costs about $3,000, includes:

• 12 Genesis Bows
• 5 Targets
• 1 Backstop
• 60 Regulation Aluminum Arrows
• 1 Repair Kit

The Fishing In the Natural State Program was created for use in any Arkansas school. The primary focus is on grades 4-12. The program can also accommodate civic clubs and organizations. The curriculum provided to schools includes eight units covering Fish and Fishing, Ecology, Habitats, and the Human Impact on the environment. These lessons can be used in any type of classroom including, but not limited to Science, Math, English and Physical Education.

Through this program, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is striving to instill a culture of conservation and stewardship in our school age population. Each applicant is asked to complete at least one conservation program through the year and sponsor a fishing derby. To help accomplish these goals, a Fishing in the Natural State kit is provided. The kit includes rods and reels, tackle, and a classroom set of various support materials. Fishing in the Natural State Program participants are also eligible to apply for Wildlife Education Grant funds (use of fine revenue.) Funds may be used by educators to purchase any needed supplies and equipment as well as take students on field trips to AGFC Nature Centers and Wildlife Management Areas.

• Fishing in the Natural State | Application
• Fishing in the Natural State | Annual Report
• Professional Development Calendar

Program Coordinator

The Family and Community Fishing Program provides memorable fishing opportunities throughout Arkansas. We bring fishing events, beginner fishing clinics, and tagged fish contests to selected cities throughout Arkansas each year.

Catfish Stocking

April, May, June, September and October

Thousands of pounds of 13- to 15-inch channel catfish are stocked periodically at all Community Fishing Destinations from March through October.

Trout Stocking

November-February

More than 50,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout are stocked each winter from November through February across the state in Family and Community Fishing Program destinations. While most trout average just under a pound, a few 2-5 pounders are stocked each year.

Publications

• Family and Community Fishing Program News
• Fishing Regulations
• A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing
• Guía para Principiante de Pesca
• Interactive GIS Pond Locator Map