ISU Extension News

Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915

6/2/03

Contacts:
John Roosa, Iowa 4-H Center, (515) 795-3338, jroosa@iastate.edu
Florine Swanson, Iowa 4-H Foundation, (515) 294-1552, fswanson@iastate.edu
Carol Ouverson, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-9640, couverso@iastate.edu
Tracy S. Petersen, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-9915

Roosa Named Manager of Iowa 4-H Center

AMES, Iowa -- John Roosa, a former Webster County 4-H member, will combine his love of the outdoors with his passion for teaching youth in his new job as manager of the Iowa 4-H Center. Located near Madrid, the center is operated by Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development.

Roosa taught middle school and high school math for 11 years before accepting the 4-H position in May. In addition to teaching, he coached high school and middle school basketball, baseball and track, and he was a naturalist intern in Webster County.

"John comes with a love of the outdoors and a passion for working with young people," Florine Swanson, Iowa 4-H Foundation executive director, said. "As a former Webster County 4-H member, he knows how to combine the strengths of the 4-H program into our Iowa 4-H Center."

As 4-H center manager, Roosa will oversee marketing and management activities as well as the various camps and events held at the center. This summer more than 3,000 Iowans are expected to visit the center, either to attend activities such as business meetings or family reunions or to attend 4-H camps.

Roosa already has some ideas about new camps. He said he would like institute athletic camps as a way of introducing youth to the center and 4-H.

"I also want to incorporate the four elements of the 4-H clover -- the head, heart, hands and health -- into every 4-H camp held at the center," he said. "For instance, exploring a pond involves the head, and participating in sports ties into health."

Roosa received an associate's degree from Iowa Central Community College and a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1992. As a youth in Webster County, he participated in 4-H for 10 years.

"One thing I clearly remember about 4-H was our leaders requiring us to try a new project area. For me, that was cooking and crafts," Roosa said. "I didn't like it at the time, but I really appreciate it now. And that's one thing I want to emphasize at the 4-H camps -- trying something new."

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