United Way offers alternative spring break
COEUR d'ALENE - The United Way of Kootenai County is hosting an alternative spring break - "Project Spring Break" - next week with participation from nearly 70 area high school students.
The United Way is partnering with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe to engage Kootenai County high school students in leadership, volunteerism and service learning.
"We see this as a great opportunity to engage our area students and the future leaders of our community in leadership development, volunteerism and service learning," said Caryl Johnston, executive director of United Way of Kootenai County.
Monday and Tuesday, students will spend two days of their spring break in Plummer and Worley, on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation, participating in community service projects such as painting at the Lakeside High School, building a playground at the Early Childhood Learning Center, tearing down some sheds, and a number of other community projects.
In addition, Kootenai County students will join in with the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Youth Council to connect through leadership development activities and cultural activities which will introduce participants to traditional elements of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, including the native language, food, storytelling, dance and drumming.
"Partnering with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe will enrich our students' experience through tribal and cultural elements and give them the chance to walk side by side with members of the Tribal Youth Council," Johnston said. "We're excited to collaborate with the Tribe to facilitate this experience."
Uchneck'we' is written on the front of the yellow T-shirts the students will wear. In native language it means, 'We Stand As One.'
Students from all Kootenai County high schools were invited to attend, and representatives from each school are expected to participate.
In addition to the community service projects, students will participate in a ropes course, team building, community gathering and tribal activities during the two-day trip.