In anticipation of Steampunk Snowdown 2015, La Plata County 4-H is teaming with great local sponsors to put on a fun event for families.
Celebrating Healthy Communities, Durango Coffee Co., Zia Taqueria and 4-H will be hosting Steampunk Wipeout, which features a wild and challenging obstacle course designed by and for youths ages 8 to 18 years old.
In its second year, the event will be held Jan. 31 at Buckley Park. Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. The race for 8- to 11-year-olds will start at 12:45 p.m. The race for 12- to 18-year-olds will kick off at 2:30 p.m.
Youths don’t have to participate in the races to enjoy the obstacle course. However, there will be prizes for fastest time and best costume. In addition, there will be an area for age-appropriate fun for kids younger than 8.
Zia Taqueria generously has donated gift cards for the first 50 children to register. Durango Coffee Co. will provide tasty hot chocolate for everyone. A parent signature on the release form will be required to participate in the obstacle course. Release forms will be available at the Wipeout registration booth and in the Snowdown booklet.
La Plata County 4-H has been hard at work creating two obstacle stations. Our first station is called the Wipeout Web. Contestants will have to maneuver through a nylon web and pass through the magic door to complete the obstacle. Next, the Steampunk Express station will have youth jumping, hopping and running along designed tracks to get water to provide steam for the train.
These and many other obstacles will make for a great deal of fun. The Celebrating Healthy Communities Coalition created this event to provide families with more alcohol-free event options during Snowdown. Steampunk Wipeout is a great way to show positive role-modeling behaviors between adults and young people.
Please join us for a memorable Steampunk Snowdown experience.
HHH
Next week, we will host an e-forum for current and prospective 4-H volunteer leaders. Called “Youth Connect: At Great Meetings,” the forum is a great new way for volunteers to network and learn. It will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Lightner Room, which is upstairs in the Exhibit Hall at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. Please RSVP and arrive a little early to enjoy light snacks and beverages.
HHH
On Monday, we celebrated the Martin Luther King Jr. Day. His life’s work continues to inspire and motivate me to work toward a better community for all. As our world continues to cope with senseless, violent tragedies, I find comfort in MLK’s message.
In his words: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
felsengh@co.laplata.co.us or 382-6463. Greg Felsen is the La Plata County 4-H youth development agent.
