Polaris Donates $1M to Expand Youth ATV Safety Through 4-H

ATV Safety for Youth

Polaris just made a move that could shape the future of off-roading for generations. The powersports giant announced a $1 million donation to Minnesota 4-H Youth Development, marking an impressive expansion of their ATV and UTV safety education programs.

While this is a new development, it’s definitely not a new partnership. In fact, Polaris and Minnesota 4-H have been working together since 2019 to help nearly 4,000 young riders learn more about safety. 

But this news about the most recent donation has the chance to take this initiative (and many more like it) beyond Minnesota's borders.

What Does Polaris’ Donation Do?

In helping bring even more awareness to the off-roading sport, Polaris and 4-H have laid out some unique, targeted initiatives that this donation is hoping to fund:

Year-Round Programming in Minnesota

First is a shift from seasonal to year-round programming. Previously, Minnesota 4-H could only offer ATV/UTV safety courses during warmer months, which limited how many kids could participate. 

This new donation will ensure that they can run programs continuously, even developing indoor curriculum for winter months.

That equates to more flexibility for families, more course offerings, and 3- 4x more youth getting certified through the Minnesota DNR to legally ride on public lands.

Volunteer Training and Certification

While expanding offerings is great, you can't scale safety education without qualified instructors. The donation funds will also go toward providing training for adult volunteers, including the ATV Safety Institute's prestigious "Train-the-Trainer" certification.

Each certified volunteer can reach dozens of kids annually. By creating this network of trained instructors across Minnesota, the program will help volunteers become safety ambassadors in their own communities.

Pilot Programs in Utah and Wisconsin

With increased funding, Minnesota's successful model can expand to a national level. 

Both Utah and Wisconsin will receive resources, curriculum, and guidance to launch their own programs. Utah's vast public lands and growing off-road community make it a perfect expansion state. Wisconsin's strong agricultural heritage means many youth already use ATVs for farm work. 

Both states will tailor the safety curriculum to their specific terrain and riding cultures while maintaining core safety standards.

Nationwide Online Safety Course

One of the most ambitious initiatives? Developing a comprehensive online safety course that everyone can access. By investing in and building a digital curriculum, current and future riders can brush up on everything from basic controls to advanced trail etiquette.

The online format makes it easier to provide interactive learning and video demonstrations for anyone, anywhere. Now, kids in states without formal programs can still learn proper techniques, democratizing access to safety training in ways traditional programs never could.

The partnership has already reached over 800,000 youth through safety displays at farm events and fairs since 2019. With these new initiatives, that reach will multiply exponentially.

Why This Investment Matters

With such a big donation from Polaris, Minnesota 4-H and DNR can now expand their safety education efforts that have been shown to work so well. 

Combining the new safety curriculum with a certification to legally ride on public trails and land, there’s a potential to see even more individuals take up the hobby and build a new sense of strength and resilience.

The timing is critical. As more families discover off-roading, proper education becomes essential. The hope behind this donation is to build individuals who can begin to learn safety proactively and use those skills to develop habits in all parts of life.

Polaris offers the industry's largest lineup of youth vehicles, so their investment in safety education makes business sense, too. But beyond that, it demonstrates how manufacturers can actively shape the future of their sport.

At Goats Trail Apparel, We’re All In On Polaris and Off-Road Initiatives

We’re excited about the potential that this new donation is going to bring to the off-roading community. We love to see a model that leverages existing infrastructure and trusted community relationships to help connect individuals with the hobby and reach those who may never have opportunities to ride. 

As off-roading continues to grow, initiatives like this become more crucial. They ensure the next generation rides with knowledge, respect, and responsibility. That's good for everyone – riders, manufacturers, land managers, and communities.

At Goats Trail, we believe the outdoors should challenge us – and shape us! Supporting programs that teach the next generation how to ride safely, tread lightly, and lead responsibly is something we're proud to stand behind. 

Because the future of the trail belongs to the ones we raise right. Want to learn more about how Goats Trail is helping spread the word about positive approaches to off-roading? Explore our values and find out more about how you can help out in your neck of the woods!