Jenny Byrd, purchasing and grants coordinator for Uinta County, told commissioners the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation awarded the county a $8,717.50 Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation and Education grant to support the county 4‑H program.

The funding will support two clubs: the Lapointe After‑School Club and a new outdoor recreation club that will offer guided hikes, fishing instruction, water‑safety lessons and river rafting experiences. Byrd said the county match is mostly in kind—$4,433.75—and includes participant time, volunteers and materials; a $200 cash match will cover transportation fuel. “The overall project total is $13,151.25,” she said, and the program is expected to serve about 65 youth.

Commissioners praised the initiative and moved to approve the state contract as presented. The motion passed by recorded 'Aye' responses in the meeting.

The grant will fund program activities beginning in late spring and includes $300 in award funds to cover registration for 30 youth with financial constraints. Paige Christiansen of the Uinta USU County Extension was identified as the project manager for the initiative.

Next steps: the county will execute the grant contract and work with extension staff to launch outreach and registration for participating youth.