Programs for Youth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H staff, in collaboration with community partners, offer youth development to the community through the following programs:

Urban Youth Leadership Academy

The 4-H Urban Youth Leadership Academy is a one-year leadership program for urban youth in grades 8-11. The academy explores leadership opportunities within 4-H, schools, and communities. It also provides youth a platform for developing communication skills, and prepares youth for future leadership roles. For more information and how to join, contact Megan Freel, 4-H and Family Life Educator, at 515-957-5763.

County Council

County Council is a leadership opportunity for current 4-H members in grades 9-12. Learn more and how to apply by contacting Megan Freel, 4-H and Family Life Educator, at 515-957-5763.

Virtual Resources

Find a collection of Polk County 4-H virtual recordings. Virtual office hours, meetings, award announcements and more all in one spot!

Oh, The Places You Could Go! 

Session 1- Crystal Berkenes, Board Certified Music Therapist, Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide and Hoang Tran, Architect with INVISION
Session 2- Anne Cundiff, Hy-Vee Dietician and Joshua Barr, Director of the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission
Session 3 Part 1- Ty Russing, Journalist 
Session 3 Part 2- Eric Hanson, KCCI
Session 4- Captain Lillie Miller, Des Moines Police Department and Ryan Rohlf, Realtor, Keller Williams Legacy Group 
Session 5- Mandy Ounlokham, Tool & Die and Tony Raymer, Social Worker and Play Therapist
Session 6- Maya Hayslett, 4-H Crop Sciences Specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach. Tomas Gonzalez-Torres, Director, Iowa Space Grant Consortium, and Amy Powell, 4-H Animal Sciences Specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach Session 7-  Dr. Wanakee Carr, MD OBGYN, Genesis Health Group and Dr. Chad Johnson, DDS, Veranda Dentistry

Virtual Office Hours

March 2021 Office Hours- Read Across Iowa February 2021 Office Hours- Who Does What? Groups explained January 2021 Office Hours- State Recognition and Scholarships December 2020 Office Hours- Livestock ID November 2020 Office Hours- What a Judge is looking for October 2020 Office Hours- Enrollment

 

Poultry PowerPoints

What! I don't have to just show chickens! Showmanship Picking Poultry for the Polk County Fair- 2021 Broiler Class Layers

Other meetings

Polk 4-H What you need to know- October 2020

Leader Meetings

April 2020 Annual Leader Meeting
Fair 2020 Shooting Sports
2020 Annual Awards 

Awards Announcements

Fair 2020 Clothing Event

 

Join a Club!

Find more information on how to join a club on our Join 4-H page!

 

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Contact us

Marci Vinsand
County Youth Coordinator
vinsand@iastate.edu
515-957-5770

Megan Freel
County Youth Coordinator
meganmae@iastate.edu
515-957-5763

Programs for Community Partners

Our 4-H team partners with schools, libraries, and other community organizations to offer a wide variety of programs and opportunities for youth. Reach out to us if you are interested in offering the following programs at your site!

Teen Teambuilding

Youth in grades 6-12 develop leadership, communication, and stress management skills through experiential activities.

Babysitting Basics

Participants will learn about the responsibilities of a babysitter, what employers expect, and how to care for infants and toddlers. Youth learn about age appropriate toys and activities, safety, and basic first aid. All participants receive a book filled with information about childcare as well as a certificate of completion at the end of the course. For youth ages 10-18.

After-school Programming

Coordinate with ISU Extension and Outreach staff to bring research-based programming to your after-school program site. Programs are offered in the areas of healthy living, STEM, citizenship and leadership, and communication and the arts.

Summer Programming

Bring our research-based programming to your summer program site. Choose from topics in healthy living, STEM, citizenship and leadership, and communication and the arts!

Register for Summer 2022 Programs

Adulting 101 - Life Skills Day Camp

Try Something New Day Camp

Astro Camp

4-H Resource Guide

A listing of all of the 4-H and Clover Kids kits and curricula available in the Polk County Office. To reserve a kit or curriculum contact the Polk County Extension Staff at 515-957-5760 or polk4h@iastate.edu. If requesting a curriculum or program series to be delivered by Extension Staff please note we are normally booked 6-8 weeks in advance and schedules fill quickly. View the complete curriculum guide.

Mindful Teen

Youth in grades 7-12 can participate in this engaging 6-session series on how to manage stress and difficult emotions, help improve overall well-being and relationships, and improve performance in school and other daily activities.