Brighton Bear Cub Club meets

The Brighton Bear Cub Club has started gathering again this year on Washington?s early dismissal for afternoons of fun and learning at the Brighton Community Building. Wednesday, Oct. 8 was themed around personal health, wellness and safety.

Youth joined the entire state of Iowa on the Healthiest State Walk for a 1 mile. They predicted how many steps that would be and then tracked them with a pedometer. They visited the Brighton Community Garden and learned how to recognize ripe watermelons and tomatoes. They group enjoyed exploring the remains of several other garden produce from the season. They enjoyed snacks from the garden and also a variety of healthy greens to celebrate National 4-H Week.

The group discussed home alone safety and participated in a Poison Look a Like challenge to identify harmful substances. They learned it is complicated to tell the difference and not to eat or play with unmarked materials. Each bear cub took home his or her own first aid kit.

In honor of the once Brighton Bears and the young ?cubs? of the Brighton community, the program is called the Brighton Bear Cub Club. It provides a safe, supervised, educational and fun environment for Brighton youth. Washington County Extension provides the programs for these early out days.

Brighton Horizons is funding much of the program; however, enrollment fee of $20 will go toward cost of materials as well. Scholarships are available for families upon request. Brighton Horizons wants any youth interested to be able to participate and will help make that possible.

Youth are still welcome to sign up. The Bear Cubs will meet next on Oct. 29. For more information about enrolling or volunteering for the Brighton Bear Cub Club, contact Amy at the Washington County Extension Office, 319-653-4811 or through email at amygreen@iastate.edu.