The Round Mountain Ryders 4-H Club is the Kootenai/Shoshone 4-H Program's club of the year.

The Athol-based club started 15 years ago. Its members have participated in countless projects through the years, including poultry, cooking, shooting sports, swine and beef. This year it is offering three projects: shooting sports, swine and beef.

The Round Mountain Ryders has four leaders and 27 members. The club’s organizational leader, Denise Cameron, earned a leadership pin for dedicating 30 years to the club.

"This group of kids and families really know the community of belonging to 4-H, Cameron said. "We have several families that are second and third generation 4H families."

For community pride projects, club members collected more than 500 pounds of food for local food banks. They also made valentines, cookies and Easter baskets and planted flowers for the assisted living residents at Rose Terrace Cottages.

Lilyan Carhart, 17, has been in the Round Mountain Ryders for nine years. She said she loves being a part of the club and seeing the members come together as one.

“I, for one, am not a very outgoing person, but this club is so welcoming and involved with each other. It is so easy to act yourself and get along with each and every one of the members,” Carhart said.

She said 4-H has helped her build friendships and find new interests.

“I have gained new people in my life that I am now proud to call my friends," she said. "I have had so much fun learning new things. 4-H has brought out the best in me and has taught me so many different things that I love to apply to my everyday life.”

In August 2021, 30 campers enjoyed the Round Mountain Ryders campout at Mirror Lake. Fishing, swimming, scavenger hunts and homemade ice cream were among the adventures.

The 4-H'ers annually participate in the North Idaho State Fair, which is always the highlight of their year. Friendships are built and grown. Winning big ribbons is nice, but the learning and friendship is what stays with club members for life.

"4-H means knowing where my food comes from and the work it takes to properly raise it," said Reed Dickson, 10, who has been in 4-H for three years.

Two Round Mountain Ryders members — Chase Evans, a homeschooled senior, and Gavin Starr, a North Idaho STEM Charter Academy junior — have qualified to represent Idaho in Nebraska this summer at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships. It’s the first time any member from North Idaho has qualified.

Both have been active in 4-H shooting sports projects for five years. Starr and Evans also participate in the Winchester/NRA marksmanship program at the Coeur d’Alene Rifle and Pistol Club. They have earned expert ratings and are now on the path to Distinguished Expert, the highest award possible in the program.

“They have been practicing all year by competing and shooting in the Winchester/NRA program,” shooting leader Tom Alapai said. "They are also looking forward to next year trying out for the Junior Olympic team and ultimately doing well enough to make it onto a collegiate team.”

Starr’s parents, Jason and Apryl Starr, said 4-H has been “a huge blessing for Gavin.”

“As a result of 4-H, he has learned proper shooting and gun care techniques,” they said. “This opportunity would not have come to him if he had not been in 4-H. He has also gained friendships that are long lasting.”

"4-H has given me a chance to turn an interest into an opportunity," said Starr, 16, a five-year 4-H member.

The young marksmen are holding a raffle for a $100 gift certificate donated by a firearms and accessories retailer with a shop in Coeur d'Alene. Tickets are $1. The drawing will be May 15. Contact Alapai at rmrsharpshooters@gmail.com for info.