Culbertson Hosts Montana 4-H Rec Lab
Culbertson School was the location of this years Montana 4-H Rec Lab. Over 160 participants and volunteers ages 13-18 descended upon the Culbertson School to partake in this fun, educational and leadership event.
Rec Lab which stands for “recreation lab,” is an affair that happens once a year around the state in the eight different 4-H districts, so it will not be held again in our area for another eight years. District 4, which comprises Roosevelt, Richland, Dawson, McCone, Valley, Daniels and Sheridan counties, was the host. We have been planning this since last year’s rec lab that was held in Hobson. The theme chosen was “Rendezvous-4-H,” which plays on the theme of the Fort Union trade and our rich cultural heritage in northeast Montana.
The gym was decorated in the Fort Union setting, and Rod Lassie served as our opening speaker. He spoke of the history of the fur trade and importance of the fort. The NDO Native Youth Council and Spotted Bull Recovery Resource Center then demonstrated how to erect a tipi and its significance. They used volunteers from the audience to help secure poles and were able to fit over 59 individuals inside.
The next day, students participated in over 35 different rotating workshops ranging from ice-breaker activities, extreme leadership, dancing, dutch-oven cooking, chute-side livestock coolers, leathercraft, making coin rings, parliamentary procedure, livestock water quality, pollinator plants, an escape room and much more.
Youth then played the “Minute to Win-It Games,” and the evening inspirational speaker included Tommy Christian from Fort Peck Community College as the cultural liaison. The night was capped off with a dance and getting to use their newly learned dance moves.
The concluding day showcased the Pretty Iron Feather Dancers and a send off with a round dance. There were over 28 counties from around the state that came and took in a little piece of Montana. Next year the event will be held in District 5.
