This winter, youth and families can build a bridge, memories, and lifelong skills with the 11th 4-H Bridge Bust Competition.
Registration is open through mid-December for the popular annual event. The competition will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Parkview Christian Academy (lower campus), 201 W. Center Street, Yorkville.
Learn more about Bridge Bust, check out the new resource center, or sign up at go.illinois.edu/BridgeBust4Hdkk.
For a decade, this hands-on, challenging experience has encouraged engineering, problem-solving, and teamwork as group members build a balsa wood bridge together.
The community can join the fun in three categories:
- Youth teams (all team members must be ages 10 and up)
- Family/Club teams (including adults and youth ages 5 and up)
- School teams (open to 5th to 12th grades)
The cost is $40 per team. Each registered Bridge Bust team will pick up a packet that includes contest rules, general information about bridge busting, and project supplies. On the day of competition, bridges will be judged on their structural efficiency and aesthetics.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate or have any questions, contact 4-H Program Coordinator Katie McFarland at (630) 553-5823 or ksm@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.
For more information on 4-H clubs in your county, fill out a 4-H interest survey at go.illinois.edu/info4Hdkk.
— University of Illinois Extension