4-H 'Bridge Bust' Sign-Ups Open: DuPage, Kane, Kendall Counties

YORKVILLE, IL —Registration for the 8th annual 4-H "Bridge Bust" competition has been extended to Monday, Dec. 9. The event seeks to challenge young people's creativity, engineering, and teamwork skills. Competition participants may enter in one of three categories: youth teams (ages 10 and older), family teams including adults and youth, and school teams for grades 5 to 12. Teams must have a minimum of two members.

“Bridge Bust provides an excellent learning and team-building opportunity for families, youth, teens, classes, clubs, and other groups,” said Jo Ann Britton, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator. “Registered teams will design and construct bridges according to competition rules with provided supplies. In January, entries will be judged on aesthetics and tested for structural strength.”

Registered teams will pick up all project supplies and the official contest packet, which includes general event information, rules and regulations, in early December, Britton said. The contest also offers a demonstration entry choice, which is intended to give younger participants the opportunity to practice engineering and design skills without competition.

“The Bridge Bust program is just one example of the experiential learning process that 4-H promotes through its community clubs, special interest clubs and enrichment activities,” Britton said. “With community partners, we are able to make this annual challenge available and highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering and math in a fun and educational way.”

This educational challenge is facilitated by the University of Illinois Extension and 4-H Youth Development of DuPage, Kane and Kendall Counties, and it is supported by Rural King of Plano and Cross Lutheran School in Yorkville.

To learn more or register a team, visit https://go.illinois.edu/bridgebust4Hdkk. Space is limited. Registration has been extended to Dec. 9, or when the program meets capacity. The cost is $40 per team. If a team needs reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please notify at registration or contact the Extension Office at (630) 553-5823. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

For more information on Illinois 4-H programs, visit the 4-H Illinois Extension website at https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/.