Featured
Programs
Diversifying Klickitat County's 4-H Program
Roosevelt
Community 4-H Club
 In
response to the stability provided by new single and multi-family
rental homes in the isolated rural community of Roosevelt along
the Columbia River, Klickitat County 4-H partnered with VISTA to
promote community programs for the mostly Hispanic population of
around 100. Local and state organizations such as the Migrant Council,
health department, and family network/human development council
agreed to participate in a Community Night kick-off event, to which
65 residents attended.
Surveys regarding
desired educational programming revealed a need for English language
and computer skill development. Some residents were also interested
in obtaining their GED or Mexican High School diploma. Many children
indicated they wanted to join 4-H and enroll in various projects.
To address
these needs, WSU Klickitat County Extension personnel distributed
surplus county computers to Roosevelt families and conducted free
computer training classes at the Roosevelt school. A Plazas Comunitarias
program was started to help adults prepare for the testing required
to earn a Mexican High School diploma.
Aided by a
$1,000 start-up grant from the Washington State 4-H Foundation,
new enrollees in the 4-H club worked on improving their basketball
and soccer skills, and learned how to make bread and salsa.
Culture
Camp
 When
Klickitat County Extension educators learned that elders from the
Rock Creek band of the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation
were concerned about tribal youth’s lack of knowledge and
skills about their traditional culture, the Raising a Healthy Nation
program was modified into a Culture Camp.
More than 90
people participated in the event held at the Rock Creek Longhouse
from March 16–18. How-to classes on beading, baskets, tulee
mats, singing, dancing, and family trees were offered.
Presenters
used traditional Sahaptin words throughout the weekend to help educate
audience members about their ancestral language. Participants were
also treated to traditional foods, a demonstration on sweat lodge
construction, and a presentation on salmon habitat and life cycle
from a tribal fisheries biologist. A Yakama Nationa Cultural Resource
program representative spoke about the tribe’s land base and
collaboration with landowners and government offices.
To encourage
healthy and active lifestyles, organizers scheduled several walks
throughout the weekend in conjunction with the tribe’s Community
Health program. Other activities focused on teambuilding, communication,
and Challenge curricula.
Evaluations
about the camp’s effectiveness and suggestions for improvements
indicated that participants and planners want to make Culture Camp
an annual event.
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