Iowa 4-H cares about and supports the social, emotional, and mental well-being of youth, their families, and communities. To help foster positive connections and skills, the THRIVE Retreat was created. THRIVE is a unique opportunity for any 7th-12th grade youth and their parent or other caring adult to step away from the busyness and stressors of life to explore healthy, fun ways to recharge their mind, heart, and body!

THRIVE participants get to take time for themselves, connect with each other and new friends, and discover the benefits of mindfulness and other positive, healthy skills through workshops, nature, the arts, and movement to support their mental health and overall well-being. They also get to enjoy camp activities like zip-lining, climbing wall, canoeing, horseback riding, and night photography.

Youth and Adult Participant Reflections:

THRIVE made them feel connected, happy, hopeful, relaxed, centered, energized, motivated, peaceful, more self-aware, creative, loved, heard, stress-free, and empowered.

• “I most enjoyed the workshops and engaging with the youth and observing them connect to other youth and adults whether or not they knew them.” 
• “I really enjoyed spending time with my son and the adult/kids break-out sessions.”
• “I want to be able to S.T.O.P. during stressful moments and build more meaningful relationships.” 
• “I learned to appreciate myself more.” 
• “I gained a lot of focus and learned to be grateful more.”

Learn about more Iowa 4-H Mental Health and Well-Being programs.