Iowa 4-H Youth Conference set

     This summer, 500 teens are expected to meet on the Iowa State University campus to experience three consecutive days full of speakers, educational workshops, cultural exploration and service learning. The 2022 Iowa 4-H Youth Conference, themed Building the Future, will take place June 28-30.

     All youth, regardless of their previous participation in 4-H, who have completed eighth grade, are invited to register for the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference. Registration is $180 and is now open in 4HOnline. Registration will increase to $200 on June 2. Registration closes on June 10.

     “Youth who attend the conference will get to dive into their own passions, discover career opportunities and learn about life on a college campus while meeting other participants from across the state,” said Haley Jones, conference coordinator and 4-H youth program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

     For participants with an interest in animals, the Animal Science Round Up event will take place concurrently with the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference. Youth can register for one of six tracks: horse, beef, dairy cattle, sheep, swine and dog. Animal Science Round Up participants will explore different areas of animal science through workshops, tours and hands on learning experiences.

     New for 2022, the inaugural 4-H Career Pathways Academy will kick off in conjunction with the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference. Youth will explore pathways to college and career readiness at the kickoff event and will continue engaging monthly in skill development, hands-on learning opportunities and apprenticeships in their local communities.

     The keynote speakers for this year’s event include Dan Meers, Kansas City Chiefs mascot KC Wolf, and Elizabeth McCormick, decorated U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot. Youth will get to choose three educational workshops to attend during the conference ranging from “Camera Corps” and “Real Money, Real World” to “World Dance Party,” “A Biochemistry Whodunit” and more.

     For more information on the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference or to register, please visit www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/iowa4hyouthconference.