by April Scheinoha
Reporter

Pennington County 4-H is seeing an uptick in enrollment after it hosted three 4-H day camps this summer, and staff are looking forward to the upcoming 4-H year. Ashley Nerhus and Cindi Kilen, who are affiliated with Pennington County 4-H, provided an update to the Pennington County Board at its meeting Tuesday, Oct. 12.

As it has in years past, Pennington County 4-H hosted 4-H day camps this summer. Two of the day camps were held at Peder Engelstad Pioneer Village in Thief River Falls. The other day camp was held in Goodridge. Nerhus and Kilen were surprised to see an influx of new 4-H enrollments after the camps.

The Pennington County Fair is the most noticeable activity in which the 4-Hers are involved. This year, nearly 100 youth showcased their projects at the fair. Of that number, 30 youth were able to move on with their projects and showed them at the Minnesota State Fair.

Besides exhibiting their projects, some 4-Hers were able to lend a hand at the Meet a 4-H Farm Animal event during the fair. Nerhus, who is employed as the Extension educator for 4-H in Pennington County, explained that kids were able to show their animals to other youth and provide information about how to care for their animals.

Pennington County 4-H also hosted three other hands-on activities at the fair. Those activities included Crafting with Kindness, a LEGO challenge, and a pollinator presentation. 4-H hosted the latter program with the Master Gardeners.

Pennington County 4-H also hosts activities during the school year. It offers a LEGO Club at Challenger Elementary School and plans to offer a similar club at St. Bernard’s Catholic School later this fall.

Last school year, Pennington County 4-H hosted Beautiful Inside & Out for girls in grades 4-6 at Goodridge Elementary School. The program helps improve self-esteem and emotional well-being, said Nerhus, who noted BIO Girls will be offered again this spring.

Pennington County 4-H also plans to offer Cloverbuds, an after-school program for kids in kindergarten through second grade. Two sessions will be offered at CES. One session each will be offered at St. Bernard’s and Goodridge.

The Pennington County Extension office also offers activities for individuals who are a little more mature. Seven community Learning Circle groups meet through the Home Council Program, said Kilen, who is employed as the Extension office manager in Pennington County. About 80 members, including some from Marshall County, participate. The groups have learned about such topics as senior fraud, estate planning, instant pots and gardening.