A group of search and rescue volunteers worked with 4-H kids to assemble survival packs at a workshop hosted by the extension office and supported by funds from the Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner’s Game tag proceeds. Search and rescue personnel Brian Zerbe, Bill Shoup, Alvin Syrovatka and Kelly Kerkes helped 4-H members. Back row L-R: Lane Clark, Cody Yeager, Karter Bannan, Sarah-Jo Goddard, Miranda Smith, Kinsey Keller, Liam Zerbe, Cole Pzinski, Will Kruse, Paul Kruse; front row L-R Maggie Goddard, Cora Goddard, Corbin Johnson, Deacon Clark, Jhett Jameson, Phoenix Caffee, Chad Yeager, Colton Yeager, Kane Keller.

LUSK - The Niobrara County 4-H Shooting Sports program held a meeting with special guests from Search and Rescue on March 1, 2023. Captain Brian Zerbe focused on outdoor preparedness. The 4-H members were provided with supplies to put together their own packs to have available when they set out on a hike or hunting trip. The members learned about each item and how to correctly use them, if they had to.

Other Search and Rescue members helping out were Kelly Kerkes, Bill Shoup, Crystal Zerbe and Alvin Syrovatka.

Some of the items included in the packs were Band-Aids, tape, flagging, trash bags, a whistle, water filter straw, a mirror, mylar blanket and rain poncho. The Shooting Sports members were able to think through different scenarios and what would they do in certain situation. 4-H Shooting Sports Leader and Search and Rescue member, Crystal Zerbe stated “ It was a wonderful opportunity for the members of the 4-H shooting sports program to work with our local Search and Rescue to gain knowledge and put together preparedness packs that they can utilize both for 4-H and outdoor recreation. My hope is to utilize what they have learned and continue to build upon this with a more intensified training and use of the packs and their content application this summer and fall through outdoor learning opportunities.” 

The 4-H members participating were Sarah Jo Goddard, Cora Goddard, Maggie Goddard, Corbin Johnson, Avery Johnson, Deacon Clark, Jhett Jameson, Phoenix Caffee, Paul Kruse, Will Kruse, Kane Keller, Cole Pzinski, Liam Zerbe, Kinsey Keller, Miranda Smith, Chad Yeager, Carter Bannan, Cody Yeager, Lane Clark and Colton Yeager. The safety packs were made possible through the Commissioner’s Game Tag proceeds. The tag was donated the Niobrara County 4-H program by Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner, Richard Ladwig. Special thanks to 4-H Shooting Sports leaders Jessica Yeager, Crystal Zerbe and Katie Kruse for their help organizing the supplies.