January 20, 2010                    MORE DETAILS ON NEW YOUTH CLUBS

Four new youth clubs are forming for youth in Delaware County!   Delaware County ISU Extension, in partnership with Manchester’s Good To Great Youth Activities Committee and the City of Manchester Parks & Recreation Department are teaming up to offer the new opportunity for area kids.

All of the new clubs are open to Delaware County youth, ages nine (9) through eighteen (18), who are at least in fourth grade this year and meeting times and locations will vary.  For more specific information contact Lori Scovel at the Delaware County ISU Extension office at 563-927-4201or e-mail her at lscovel@iastate.edu . Informational flyers on each club will also be available in the school offices.

FISHING   A new fishing club will meet for the first time on Saturday, Feb. 6, beginning at 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Delhi Elementary School in Delhi.  Look for ISU Extension signs.  Participants should dress warm and be prepared to be outside in cold weather as the intent is to go ice fishing on Silver Lake after a brief introductory meeting.  The club plans to meet monthly with future trips scheduled for the Manchester Fish Hatchery and other places throughout Delaware County.  All equipment Feb. 6 will be provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  Students who are sixteen (16) years or older do need to obtain a 2010 Resident Fishing License from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to participate and may want to consider adding the trout fee for use in future club activities.  Residents under sixteen (16) years of age can fish without a license but may need to purchase a trout fee in the future. Leading the new club will be Randy Mack of Earlville.  Mack works for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at the State Fish Hatchery near Manchester.  Other adult volunteers will also be assisting and parents are also encouraged to get involved. 

KNITTING A new knitting club will meet for the first time on Monday, Feb. 15, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Stitchin Post, 112 N. Franklin Street in downtown Manchester.  All needles and yarn needed to begin knitting will be provided.  The club plans to meet monthly with a focus on individual and group service projects.  Participants will learn to knit but also will have opportunities to expand their knowledge with crochet and other needle crafts as well.  Leading the new club will be Susan Herman, Stephanie Rattenborg and Stitchin Post store owner Debbie Blong.  Other adult volunteers will also be assisting and parents are also encouraged to get involved.  More information about how to volunteer will be available at the first club meeting.

ARCHERY A new 4-H Shooting Sports: Archery Club met for the first time Sunday, Jan. 17, at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Manchester.  The club welcomed 40 participants to their introductory shoot and new members are still encouraged to join. Archery will meet again on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. at the Delaware County ISU Extension Office in Manchester.  

GARDENING   A new gardening club is forming and will meet for the first time in early March.  The club plans to meet monthly.  Individual and group service projects will be the focus and topics to be explored will be dependent on participant interest.  The club is anticipated to focus on horticulture and entomology with several field trips and special activities planned.  Leading the new club will be Delaware County Master Gardener Al Remling of Manchester and Delaware County Program Director Lori Scovel, who is a local Master Gardener Intern.   Other adult volunteers will also be assisting and parents are also encouraged to get involved. 

Anyone interested in these or other new youth clubs should contact Lori Scovel at the Delaware County ISU Extension office at 563-927-4201.