Submitted by the Economic Development Council of San Juan County

The Economic Development Council of San Juan County, in partnership with WSU Extension’s San Juan County 4-H program, is creating activities for children to introduce them to different trades in a fun and hands-on program that is offered remotely. The first installment on fire preplanning will launch on March 19, via Zoom, and will be led by Lt. Gilbert Venegas, of San Juan Island Fire and Rescue. Venegas brings over a decade of experience in emergency services.

This class will be the start of a series of hands-on trades projects for kids, including such topics as electronics, masonry, solar power, construction, and marine repair.

To register a child, parents may contact Wendy Waxman Kern, the 4-H coordinator for San Juan County WSU Extension, by emailing wendy.waxman@wsu.edu. This activity is geared toward middle school-aged youth and has space for up to 10 kids. Participants will join firefighters for discussions at 4 p.m. on March 19, March 26, and April 9, via Zoom, but will complete activities under parental supervision.

To donate and help cover participants’ materials and 4-H memberships so that all kids may participate and benefit from this and other 4-H programs, please visit www.sanjuansedc.org/donate.

The EDC thanks San Juan County; the Raynier Institute and Foundation; the Town of Friday Harbor; the Port of Friday Harbor; the Washington State Dept. of Commerce; the San Juan Island Community Foundation; Orcas Kiwanis; Islanders Bank; Heritage Bank; the Corbins; Orcas Island Market; Kings Market; Friday Harbor Market Place; Ace Hardware Friday Harbor; Browne’s Home Center; the Port of Lopez; the Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands; the Orcas Island Community Foundation; and other individual donors; as well as San Juan Island Fire and Rescue; and Washington State University’s Extension Program for their support.