ISU Extension and Outreach - Story County

🍀 4-H Engineering & Coding Camp 🍀

Looking for a fun, hands-on STEM experience for your child this summer? Join us for an exciting day of creativity, teamwork, and discovery at 4-H Engineering & Coding Camp!

📅 Thursday, June 25, 2026
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
📍 City Park Shelter, 521 6th Street, Colo, IA
👦Open to youth in grades 3–5

✨ What to expect:

Build and design LEGO submersibles
Learn basic coding and robotics
Explore ocean science and underwater technology
Work in teams to sketch, test, and improve designs
Tons of hands-on fun—no experience needed!

🌟 Inspired by the FIRST® LEGO® League Submerged season, this high-energy camp will spark curiosity and help kids develop problem-solving and collaboration skills—all while having a blast!

📝 Register here: https://go.iastate.edu/KATOLP

📞 Questions? Contact Mary:
515-337-1601 | [email protected]

Don’t miss this awesome opportunity to dive beneath the surface of STEM!

🎉 FairEntry is NOW OPEN for the 2026 Story County Youth Fair! 🎉

Get ready to showcase your hard work and talents at this year’s fair!

🔗 Register here: https://fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/23873

📅 Entry Periods:
Regular Entry: June 1 – June 15
Late Entry: June 16 – June 30 (includes a $5 late fee)

❓ Have questions?
Check out our Fair FAQ page for answers to all your FairEntry and fair-related questions:
🌐 https://www.extension.iastate.edu/story/county-fair

📞 Need more help?
Contact us at 515-337-1601 or [email protected]

🌿 Eco Explorers: Wildlife Discovery Camp!

Join us for a fun, hands-on outdoor adventure where youth explore Iowa wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation!

📅 June 30 | ⏰ 9 AM – 4 PM
📍 Hickory Grove Park, Colo, IA
👧 Grades 4–8 (completed)

✨ Activities include wildlife ID, bird calls, nature hike, habitat planning & fishing! 🎣

📞 Register: https://go.iastate.edu/KATOLP

❓Mary Wilkins | 515-337-1601 | [email protected]

🌲 Don’t miss this day of outdoor discovery!

🌟 You never know who you’ll cross paths with in Extension! 🌟

Story County 4-H alum Taylor and Mary recently reconnected at the 4-H staff FIRST LEGO League training! Taylor is now an Extension colleague serving as a coordinator in Benton County! 💚 Talk about a full-circle moment!

Meanwhile, Rising Star Intern Addie and Mary are gearing up to bring the excitement of FIRST LEGO League to our community. 🤖✨ They’re preparing to share hands-on activities across all four levels of the program!

📅 Mark your calendars: Day camps are scheduled for June 23 & 25, and more fun is in the works for the county fair.

Have a student entering 2nd grade or higher who’s interested in robotics, teamwork, and innovation? Let us know, we’d love to connect you with new 4-H FIRST LEGO League opportunities coming this fall!

🙋‍♀️ Volunteers are also needed, join us in inspiring the next generation!

📣 We’re Hiring! Join Our Team! 📣

We have two open positions and are looking for passionate individuals to help support our community!

🌱 Part-Time 4-H Youth Program Coordinator
Help inspire and guide youth through engaging 4-H programming, leadership development, and hands-on learning experiences.

🌾 Full-Time Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Coordinator
Support and deliver impactful programs focused on agriculture, natural resources, and horticulture education.

If you’re enthusiastic about making a difference and working with a great team, we’d love to hear from you!

For full job descriptions and application: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/story/jobs

Let us be

🍀 4-H Ocean Explorers Jr. Camp 🐠🌊

Set sail for a day full of creativity, discovery, and fun! 🚢

Join us on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Erickson Park Shelter (110 N Park St, Roland, IA) for an exciting hands-on adventure just for kids completing 1st–2nd grade.

✨ What to expect:
Build LEGO® ocean habitats, sea creatures, and exploration vehicles
Enjoy movement breaks, storytelling, and teamwork activities
Take part in an exciting Ocean Rescue Mission, design solutions to clean up pollution and protect marine life
Celebrate with a fun show-and-tell at the end of the day

📌 Register here: https://go.iastate.edu/KATOLP

📞 Questions? Contact Mary at 515-337-1601 or [email protected]

Don’t miss this awesome underwater adventure! 🐙⚓

🍀Reminder that swine, sheep, bottle lambs, meat goats, dairy goats, bottle goats, horses, 4-H and Clover Kid dogs, dairy cattle, breeding beef, and 4-H and Clover Kid bottle/bucket calves must be identified in 4-HOnline by 11:59pm TONIGHT!!

*Animal identification is a separate process from making an entry for the Story County Fair. Entry for fair exhibiting will open on June 1. Animals not identified in the 4-HOnline system by May 15th WILL NOT be eligible for exhibition at the Story County Fair or the Iowa State Fair.

Login here to identify your animals: https://v2.4honline.com/ #/user/sign-in

A help sheet can be found here: https://go.iastate.edu/GKX4UV

Our office will be open until 4:30pm on May 15th, so if you have questions, please reach out early! You can contact us at [email protected] or 515-337-1601. Thank you!

✨🏆 Gold Buckle Results 🏆✨

Our 4-H Horse Judging Team had a great showing last Tuesday with 1st and 3rd place finishes for the junior horse teams.

Junior Individual Placings:
Kiera Kruger – 1st
Amelia Elmore – 3rd
Rowdie Samms – 6th
Kennedy Jackson – 7th
Harper Vermeer – 8th

Senior Horse Team Individual Placings:
Elliana Vermeer – 2nd
Noelle Hartsook – 3rd

Livestock Judging:
Adalynn also placed individually (8th place)

Congratulations to everyone on a strong performance!