London boy breaks Seven Summits record with Everest climb

George Atkinson began the Seven Summits challenge at the age of 11

A boy of 16 has become the youngest person in the world to scale the highest mountains in every continent.

George Atkinson, from Surbiton, south-west London, began the Seven Summits challenge by scaling Kilimanjaro in 2005 and completed it by reaching the top of Mount Everest on Thursday.

He broke the record of US teenager Johnny Collinson, who completed the challenge at the age of 17 last year.

George's mother Penny said she felt "elated and emotional".

The British Mountaineering Council has confirmed George's record, who was aged 16 years and 362 days when he reached the summit of Mount Everest.

George, who turns 17 on Sunday, began the challenge of climbing the highest peaks in seven continents at the age of 11 by scaling Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

He then climbed Russia's Mount Elbrus in 2007 and reached the summits of Indonesia's Carstensz Pyramid and Argentina's Mount Aconcagua in 2008.

Mount McKinley in North America was next, followed by Mount Vinson in Antarctica which he climbed late last year.

In her son's blog, Penny Atkinson announced the completion of his challenge: "George has done it. He reached the summit at about 8.15am Nepali time.

"It sounds as if the weather is good...

"A big thank you to everyone who has helped George to achieve his dream."

She added: "Just get my boy down safe now!"

4-H Challenge Course Opportunity for Adults!


Dear 4-H & Community Adults:

Jefferson County 4-H is providing an opportunity for adults, who are interested in experiencing a challenge course and possibly becoming challenge course facilitators themselves. Join us for a day of fun team-building, Challenge by Choice experiences, and learning about individual development through Challenge!

Saturday, June 18, 2011
Peninsula College Challenge Course
Port Angeles
9 am - 3 pm
It's FREE!

To register contact Nancy Wyatt, 732-4069
nancywyatt@waypoint.com.

(We will carpool from the WSU Extension parking lot
201 W. Patison, Port Hadlock at 7:45 am on June 18.)


AFTER THIS, YOU WILL WANT TO

BECOME
A CHALLENGE COURSE FACILITATOR!

SO HERE IS HOW YOU CAN DO THAT - FOR FREE!

Join this series of trainings to become a Challenge Course Facilitator.

Training dates are:

June 25, 26, and July 16, 2011
WSU 4-H Gibbs Lake Challenge Course
Chimacum

To register contact Nancy Wyatt, 732-4069
nancywyatt@waypoint.com.

WSU 4-H Gibbs Lake Challenge Course, in collaboration with Jefferson County Parks and Rec, is a local low elements course that is situated in a beautiful forest setting - ideal for successful experiences for various groups, including schools, sport teams, youth organizations, drug and alcohol prevention and probation programs.

Nancy Wyatt, Jefferson County 4-H Challenge program leader, shares, "I am continually amazed at the increased personal and team awareness of teens who participate in challenge activities. There is a significant improvement in youths' attitudes and abilities to work together after their challenge course experience".

If you have questions about this opportunity or any other activity sponsored through Jefferson County 4-H, contact Sue Hay, 4-H Coordinator. Call 379-5610 x 208 or email shay@jefferson.wsu.edu.

Youth Woodworking Camps in Port Townsend this summer!

The 
Port Townsend 
School of Woodworking 
is offering a series of youth camps this summer!

Build masks, benches, long boards, boomerangs, skateboards, bird houses, bat boxes and more!


Sponsored in partnership with 
Jefferson County 4-H and YMCA.

Washington State 4-H Youth Development Program



Washington State 4-H Youth Development Program: "Port Townsend’s drinking water is now cleaner thanks to a group of 4-H’ers who care about the environment."
Youth in the 4-H Stewardship program took to the Big Quilcene River watershed recently to haul thousands of pounds of garbage out of the area.
“We found four mattresses, a water heater, a set of new tires, couches, a dryer, TV, microwave, a crib, baby toys and an office chair,” said 14-year old Donnie Person. “We went down a steep slope and pulled out (those items) and more typical trash like wrappers, glass, and old clothes and put it into garbage bags.”
Donnie is one of a dozen youth from Jefferson County who, along with community volunteers, U.S. Forest Service, city and county employees, spent Earth Day April 23 filling fourteen pick-up loads of trash from the Big Quilcene River watershed which supplies drinking water to area residents."

Read more

Just Dance! Michelle Obama Dances at DC School - LET'S GET HEALTHY!



This is the first-lady of the Whitehouse who "walks her talk" with health related issues - LET'S ALL GET MOVIN'!

We love our 4-H leaders!

Washington State 4-H Scholarship Winner

Congratulations Hannah Tipton! Hannah, a nine-year member of Jefferson County 4-H, has been awarded the Lewis County Trust Fund Scholarship of $500 by Washington State 4-H. Hannah plans to use the scholarship this fall at Northwest College of Art in Poulsbo, Washington, after graduating from Chimacum High School.

Hannah has participated in gardening, dog, foods, Know Your Government, leadership, photography and video production projects in 4-H. She uses her dog training skills to help community and younger 4-H members train their own dogs. Hannah has participated in the KYG conference in Olympia four years, culminating in using her video skills to help produce a team "Politics and the Media" video. Her senior project for high school involved the creation of two community service videos for not-for-profit organizations in our county.


We are so proud of Hannah! She is a positive role model for youth in our 4-H program and community, and we wish her success in future endeavors.