Submitted Photo
Rebecca Watkins, Natural Resources specialist with the Rugby Field Office, leads wetland exploration at the Rolette County Day Camp June 25.

BELCOURT – Students from across the region came together June 25 at the Anishinabe Learning, Cultural and Wellness Center for a hands-on introduction to conservation. Hosted by Rolette County Soil Conservation District and the Anishinabe Center, with support from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the event offered interactive learning grounded in cultural and environmental stewardship and featured interactive learning stations led by NRCS staff and natural resource professionals.

Students rotated through six learning stations, each lasting 25 minutes, highlighting soils, wetlands, engineering, rangeland, wildlife and tree identification.

Presenters included:

– Adam Flaagan, NRCS tribal liaison for Spirit Lake Nation, and Stephanie Baker, soil conservationist with the Bottineau Field Office, demonstrated soil science.

– Rebecca Watkins, Natural Resources specialist, Rugby Field Office, led wetland exploration.

– Jeff Desjarlais, NRCS tribal liaison for Turtle Mountain, shared wildlife insights.

– Beth Miller, North Dakota Forest Service, introduced students to native tree species.

– Yolanda Schmidt, Rangeland Management specialist, Rugby Field Office, presented on range management.

– Dan Julson, NRCS civil engineer, and Tory Nygaard, engineering technician with the Devils Lake Field Office, covered engineering concepts.

The day camp was designed to foster environmental awareness and stewardship among youth by integrating science, cultural knowledge and interactive learning in a natural setting.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is trading the courtroom for the court. The basketball court, that is.

The annual youth basketball clinic is back, giving kids a chance to build skills and confidence both on and off the court.

“I found that sports is really a great way to be able to meet people where they are,” said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears. “It’s kind of common ground for all of us where we can get together, and share our passion and enthusiasm for basketball, and hopefully have a positive impact on these young people.”

This is the 5th annual Youth Basketball Clinic hosted by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. The one-day clinic is free and open to children ages 8-12. The coaches focus on teaching the fundamentals of the game. Registration is required.

“I think there’s just a need for it,” Mears said. “I think we see so many people in our community who are just looking for that positive interaction. There are a lot of kids who want to do the right thing. We just got to create those opportunities for them, and basketball can be way we can maybe bridge that gap with kids who maybe otherwise wouldn’t be interested in working with the (Marion County) Prosecutor’s Office.”

Participant Josuel Encarnacion-Tejada said he’s learning the basics that the coaches teach him, and he’s loving it.

“Ball handling and shooting,” Encarnacion-Tejada said.

The 9-year-old says he wants to come to the youth clinic again in the future.

“Because it’s fun and we get to practice a lot,” Encarnacion-Tejada said.

Mears says now more than ever, youth need a safe space to express themselves.

“We really want kids to build up their self-esteem and be leaders in their communities. Hopefully some of the foundations to those building blocks can start today,” said Mears.

Mears said he hopes to continue the basketball clinics in the future, with a goal of proving community engagement can be both impactful and fun.

BILLINGS — The REAL Billings F.C. girls 2009 team (U16) is complementing history on the way to competing in this month’s U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Orlando.

After another standout performance in the Montana State Cup where they captured their fourth consecutive championship, the U16 girls (11-4-2) secured a wild card spot for nationals, marking a significant milestone for Montana soccer. They’ll be joined by their sister team, REAL Billings F.C. 2010 (U15), which also qualified for nationals after winning their regional tournament, marking the first time two Montana teams will compete together on this prestigious platform.

The U16 girls clinched a No. 1 seed in the State Cup before edging Gallatin Elite 4-2 in overtime of the championship.

The squad then celebrated its best regional performance yet, earning a place in the finals where it fell 3-1 to Utah. Earlier this week the girls received their wild card invitation to nationals when one of the regional qualifiers declined. The U16 team secured its spot with only days to spare before nationals. On short notice, both teams are actively fund raising to cover travel and accommodation costs.

Head coach Abiye Jack, who also coaches the women’s team at Montana State University Billings, leads the talented roster of 15 players, with assistant coaches Derek Aspinwall and Justin Biehl.

The U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships will take place at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Orlando July 22-27.

Camp Hervida consists of 202 acres of land just a few miles south of Waterford. The Washington County 4-H hosted four youth camps at the site during the months of June and July. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

WATERFORD — Since 1922, 4-H Camp Hervida has provided an environment for boys and girls to learn skills like leadership and recreation.

Located on 202 acres of land a few miles south of Waterford, Camp Hervida continues providing kids with a unique and lasting experience.

From July 6-11, the camp is hosting Senior Camp which consists of kids from sixth to ninth grade.

During the summer months of June and July, Washington County 4-H has hosted Cloverbud, Beginner, Junior, and Senior Camp. Cloverbud is ages 6-8, Beginner is second grade through age 10, and Junior is grades third through fifth.

Tucked away in the woods of Washington County, the camp consists of cabins and recreational areas for kids to immerse themselves in. Only staff and teen leaders are authorized to carry a cell phone during camp.

Images of various locations at Camp Hervida were glued to small pieces of wood. There are multiple cabins for both boys and girls housing along with various shelterhouses and courts for various sports located around the property. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“I think that it lets everyone be a more fun and joyful version of themselves,” said Camp Director Martha Webster. “There’s definitely things that we do out here at camp that we don’t get to do in our day-to-day lives and it brings together a group of people from all over Washington County.”

Webster has been camp director for 10 years and enjoys every minute of it. She said her mom was the camp director before her and her son currently is in camp, so it’s become a generational tradition.

The Washington County 4-H camp has an archery range, volleyball courts, basketball courts, cabins to house 50-100 kids, multiple shelter houses, a swimming pool and more.

There were roughly 250 kids total signed up in all of the youth camps combined.

Every day is packed with engaging activities every hour from arts and crafts to sports.

At the main entrance of Camp Hervida is a shelterhouse with a bulletin board that displays the activities and schedule for each day during the week. From July 6-11 the Senior Camp youth occupied the camp space for the week. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Webster said they end every camp day with a bonfire.

“Our goal is to keep it as close to nature as we can while still making it comfortable,” said Webster. “It’s definitely a unique place and it’s nice because it’s far enough from town that we’re not right there but close enough that if we need something we can just drive to town.”

With roughly 40 dedicated counselors, the camp runs smoothly each summer.

Even though the campers aren’t allowed to have their cell phones, Webster said they still try to keep the activities relevant to the 21st century.

“One of the things the counselors always say is that it’s nice to get away for a week but we also try to incorporate some STEM activities,” said Webster.

The Junior Camp for kids in grades third through fifth enjoyed their week of camp from June 23-27. The kids enjoyed a week of outdoor games and activities. (Photo provided by Martha Webster)

Kaylie McCutcheon lives just a few minutes down the road from camp and has been a counselor for four years and a member of 4-H around 14 years.

“Making new friendships is one of my favorite parts about being a counselor and it’s such a great place and everyone gets to be themselves out here,” said McCutcheon. “It’s nice not having access to the electronics because we’re just here for the moment and to be outside all of the time.”

The kids had a packed day of events on Tuesday and enjoyed a fresh lunch before continuing the rest of the day outside.

Anna Miller is another counselor who enjoys the 4-H experience at Camp Hervida. She’s been a counselor for three years and a member of 4-H for about 11 years.

“Camp is like a home to me, it’s a vacation but it’s a home away from home,” said Miller. “I always make new friends here every year even as a counselor.”

Each year there are about 250 kids registered for the Washington County 4-H camp at Camp Hervida. The kids range from kindergarten to ninth grade and register for their respective camp whether it’s Cloverbud, Beginner, Junior, or Senior Camp. (Photo provided by Martha Webster)

Both counselors agreed that it was a great experience for the younger kids to get outside and spend time away from their electronics.

Senior Camp will continue through the week with the last day on Friday. To register for next summer, go to www.camphervida.org/ for more information.

The kids at the Washington County 4-H Camp learn skills like leadership and recreation while enjoying time with friends in nature. (Photo provided by Martha Webster)

PORT CHARLOTTE — The Fellowship of Christian Athletes has had a very busy summer training local kids to be better athletes and Christians.

This past week, the FCA was at Aileron Golf Course in Port Charlotte for a golf clinic to help boys work on their short game, long game, and in life.

Tom Parker, area director at FCA, said kids from Florida and throughout the country came out for five days to compete and learn more about their faith. Their last day was Thursday.

“The kids have learned how to strike the ball, change weight and things to take their game to the next level,” Parker said. “We had one who was newer at the game who couldn’t hit the ball more than 30 feet, but who is now hitting the ball 150 yards.”

For five days, the kids would spend the morning at Aileron for training, with help from staff and club professionals. They then departed for other courses such as Riverwood and Lemon Bay to compete in match play, stroke play, foursomes and contests like longest drive and closest to the hole.

Parker said the players have shown they will be forces to contend with once the golf season begins in the fall. Two players shot 74 on Wednesday, with several others shooting under 80.

Campers came from all over. Karl Meredith, 15, from Frederick Md., said he had a coach who worked with him on his downswing to improve on his approaches. He scored a 78 on Wednesday.

Meredith also learned a lot about his faith and wants to take what he learned to teach others about the work of God.

“Every night we would get together with our huddle leaders and get questions about faith that they can have discussions about. A lot of guys showed me a side that I hadn’t seen,” Meredith said. “Tom showed us how he tried to get the best of both God and Satan. He said to look at God and not to look back at temptation. It helped me grow my relationship with God.”

Zack Parker, Tom’s son, is from Port Charlotte and will golf at Pine View School this fall. He said he liked the course and the format, which encouraged smaller groups who formed deeper bonds.

“I learned a lot about weight shifts with the driver and it helped me get the second-best score of my life (a 74, winning the playoff),” Parker said. “After breakfast, having 10 to 15 minutes to talk about God before going on the range is a great way to start the day.”

Huddle-group leaders played a big role in the camp. Luke Shamblin, a recent college grad from Charleston, S.C., said being in FCA has brought him out of some dark places in his life.

“We played golf every day, but more importantly, we’ve been able to build a strong relationship with the kids,” Shamblin said. “The huddle times at night and the morning devotions have been the most important part of the camp. We wanted them to strengthen the perspective they have in their faith.”

The FCA held a coach’s camp, wrestling camp (in which 75 kids locally took part), cheer camp and this camp so far this summer.

FCA has a lot going on in the coming weeks. Next week, Charlotte football will go to Stetson University for a clinic. The following week, Port Charlotte football will attend a camp in Naples.

A Night of Champions is coming up in August at Murdock Baptist Church, with a guest speaker to be determined. A golf tournament will happen in October, tentatively at Lemon Bay Golf Course.

The FCA gala will happen at the end of October at the Charlotte Harbor Event Center, with several speakers expected for that.

Parker said FCA is looking for staff, both men and women, as well as funding, as they have increased their budget.

For more information or to express interest, call Parker at (941) 456-5433 or email him at tparker@fca.org.

In recent years, some scientists and advocates have warned that playing contact sports like football and hockey may increase the risk of brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) due to a buildup of a specific protein in the brain.

But a new Northwestern Medicine study of 174 donated brains, including some from former high school and college football players, pumps the brakes on that theory. 

The long and short of it is no, this protein in this specific brain region is not increased in people who played football at the amateur level. It throws a little bit of cold water on the current CTE narrative.”

Dr. Rudolph Castellani, corresponding author, professor of pathology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine neuropathologist

The study was recently published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. It raises important questions about how scientists interpret subtle brain changes associated with aging, Alzheimer’s disease and repetitive head impacts.

How the study worked

The study analyzed brain tissue from the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, which collects brain donations from people who had psychiatric conditions (e.g. schizophrenia, major depression, general anxiety, substance use disorder, etc.) throughout their life. Of the 174 samples collected from older adult men (with a median age of 65 at death), 48 men participated in football in high school or college while 126 had no history of playing a contact or collision sport. 

The study did not include brains from professional athletes. 

The scientists focused on a small memory-related brain region called CA2, part of the hippocampus. This region has been shown to accumulate phosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein – which is often present in neurodegenerative disease – in a variety of contexts, including normal aging, Alzheimer’s disease and in individuals with a history of repetitive head impacts.

But the findings suggest p-tau buildup in CA2 isn’t specific to contact sports. The scientists found no over-representation of CA2 p-tau in individuals with a history of youth football participation. Instead, the presence of p-tau in this region was statistically associated with age.

“What’s novel here is a return to the null hypothesis – that there may be no link between repeated head injuries and p-tau buildup in this location,” said Castellani, who also is the neuropathology core director of the Northwestern University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. “Rather than assuming p-tau in CA2 is inherently pathological, we’re asking whether it might be part of normal aging or a non-specific response to environmental factors.”

The study also highlights broader challenges in the field of neurodegeneration research. In particular, the authors point to the difficulty of assigning clinical meaning to subtle pathological findings. The paper’s section, “Knowledge gaps and implications for future research,” underscores how even expert consensus groups struggle to define CTE in clinically meaningful terms.

“Modern studies on CTE may be expanding the boundaries of what’s considered normal variability in the human brain,” Castellani said. “This work reminds us to be cautious in interpreting pathology without clear clinical correlation.”

The authors call for larger studies to better understand how p-tau relates to aging and head injuries, while urging the scientific community to critically evaluate assumptions about what constitutes neurodegenerative disease.

The study is titled “Postmortem tau in the CA2 region of the hippocampus in older adult men who participated in youth amateur American-style football.”