The members began the project by raising money through fundraising activities to purchase materials for the houses. They then met during the winter to construct seven bat houses that they planned to mount in Oakley Corners. They also constructed an eighth bat house that will be exhibited in the 4-H Youth Building during the Tioga County Fair in July.

 On April 1, the club members, leaders and parents met John Clancy, NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) senior forester, Al Snover, DEC Adopt-A-Natural Resource volunteer steward, and Tom Harvey, DEC Adopt-A-Natural Resource volunteer, at the Oakley Corners trail head.  
 Clancy talked to the club members about bat habitats and the importance of maintaining New York State's wildlife. He explained that bats enjoy living near water where insects breed.  He also explained that bats need warm weather for reproducing and that placing bat houses facing East or South is essential to their survival. 

 Following the lesson, the 4-Hers found a spot along the bank of a large pond to mount the bat houses. After they mounted the houses, Snover, who led the effort to develop a twelve-mile trail network in Oakley Corners during the 1990's, spoke to the club about potential future projects they could do at Oakley Corners.  The club members are making plans to pick up trash, maintain trails, and to monitor the bat houses for inhabitants and their young.

Below:  Kelly Cawley mounts a bat house constructed by members of the Fresh Air Frolickers 4-H Club in Oakley Corners.