Sandpoint, Idaho Guide to North Idaho Information and Media

Sandpoint Teen Center

A SAFE SPACE TO LEARN AND PLAY

Over 16 years ago, Marilyn Fargo started an after-school drop-in center where teens could do crafts and socialize. Two to four kids would stop in for a bit in the beginning. Today, the Sandpoint Teen Center serves 35 to 40 teens a day, providing a safe space for them to gather, learn and build friendships.

But the path to get here has not been without hurdles. The center moved to various locations over the years, looking for a home they could gather and offer cooking and other educational opportunities. They had a part-time staff and board of directors including Jim Payne, Joan Avery and other community members. It was difficult to keep staff on however, and in 2010 Avery volunteered to serve as the director until someone was willing to take on the part-time position for little pay.

FROM SOLDIERS TO CAMPERS

FARRAGUT’S VARIED HISTORY DEMANDS EXPLORATION

As long as Errin Bair has a say— and she has for more than a decade so far—Museum at the Brig inside Farragut State Park will not become stale.

About 18,000 people passed through the museum in 2019, and the park ranger wants to ensure each year there is a new reason for them to come back. So, the newest addition is an exhibit on Women of World War II, which she has been working on for some time.

It follows any number of exhibits at the museum, which celebrates and chronicles the ever-churning use the park endured since it began in 1942 as a training camp for United States soldiers.

One of Bair’s many roles at the park is to be in charge of this museum, as well as the volunteers who help keep it and the rest of the park humming during its open season.

Spring Treks

EXPLORING ALL THE INLAND NORTHWEST HAS TO OFFER

As we are in the midst of spring with summer just around the corner, the ample opportunity to enjoy each season outdoors is undoubtedly a top perk of living in the Inland Northwest. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or simply craving some fresh air, North Idaho and Eastern Washington have a lot to offer for those who want to get outdoors and explore. The areas surrounding the Inland Northwest offer shorter, more accessible hikes, sites perfect for a day trip to a nearby peak, and plenty in between.