On March 21, Iowa County 4-H hosted its annual Exploration Day, bringing youth together for a full day of hands-on learning, creativity and leadership development. Held as part of the county’s spring programming, Exploration Day is designed to give 4-H members the opportunity to explore new project areas, build skills and prepare exhibits for the Iowa County Fair over Labor Day weekend.
Throughout the day, youth will participated in interactive 50- or 60-minute sessions led by dedicated volunteers, superintendents, club leaders, and educators. Each session has limited enrollment, ranging from 8 to 50 youth per session, ensuring a quality, hands-on experience.
Several sessions focus on foods and nutrition. Donna Peterson, Iowa County Fair Foods & Nutrition junior fair superintendent, offered a Dry Recipe in a Jar workshop. Youth chose a recipe, layered ingredients into a jar, and took home a completed fair-ready entry. All jars and ingredients are provided. The Country Cardinals 4-H Club hosted a Healthy Snack session where participants made monster cookie energy balls — an easy, no-bake snack perfect for after school.
Creative arts opportunities were abundant. The Blue Ribbon 4-H Club offered Cardmaking and Scrapbooking Workshops. Youth designed handmade greeting cards or scrapbook pages, learning layout, journaling and embellishment techniques. Bloomfield Buddies & Kountry Kousins led a Recycled Button Art Workshop, while Five Point 4-H Club introduced Diamond Art. Mounds View 4-H Club hosted a Suncatcher Workshop, Circle A 4-H Club guided youth in creating a Pool Noodle Wreath, and Rockwell Mills 4-H Club taught youth to make Fleece Tie Pillowcases, with all materials pre-cut for safety. The Equine 4-H Club offered a Resin Workshop and Clyde Go Getter’s 4-H Club led a Fairy Garden Workshop, combining creativity and basic gardening skills.
Youth who were interested in leadership and livestock skills attended 4-H Youth Club Leaders Training with Dan Brandt, 4-H Youth Development Educator. Participants learned officer responsibilities and practice leadership skills. Jeff Thomas of Pleasant View 4-H offered an Introduction to Livestock Judging to help first- and second-year members build foundational evaluation and critical thinking skills.
Exploration Day demonstrates how Iowa County 4-H provides meaningful learning experiences — through hands-on activities, supportive mentors and opportunities to grow skills youth can showcase at the Iowa County Fair and beyond.
