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

Virginia Atwell
4-H and Family Life Educator
vatwell@iastate.edu
515-957-5783

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 2023 Programs

Projects Based 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.