Sign up Tuesday for Urban Interface 4-H Club

| November 7, 2015 8:00 PM

COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai and Shoshone 4-H will host a sign-up night at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Building 3 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, 4056 N. Government Way.

Youths aged 5-18 may choose from traditional offerings like robotics, sewing, forestry and animals. New this year is the Urban Interface Backyard and Beyond Club. This special interest club is for youths who may not have access to farm animals, but still want to experience the fair.

University of Idaho Extension’s IDAH2O Water Quality Outreach program teamed up with the UI Extension 4-H Youth Development science program to develop Urban Interface specifically for a typically underserved population of youths. Using the traditional 4-H club model in an urban rather than rural setting, youths will team up with area experts to enrich learning from the backyard and beyond. Youths will then develop their own special project or exhibit, keep detailed records and participate in the county fair.

The special interest club will meet monthly with volunteer 4-H leaders, as in traditional 4-H group models. Area science and 4-H experts are on hand during meetings, typically held in natural settings and/or professional science laboratories. Youths will be expected to create a project for the fair, keep a record book and present their projects.

“Even if you live in the city, you can still enjoy being a 4-H’er,” said Jennifer Bokma, Natural Resource Facilitation Coach.

Bokma was raised on a farm and entered swine in 4-H for many years. Raising three children now in a Coeur d’Alene subdivision, she still wants her children to experience the confidence and job-related skills earned through the traditional 4-H model.

“Spreading out into nature and learning from experts is a memorable experience every child can have regardless of where they live,” she said.

Individuals are encouraged to enroll between Oct. 1 and March 1 so they can fully participate in all activities and events for that year. For more information, visit: http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/4h.