4-H Project Extravaganza to Provide Hands-On Learning

Youngsters are invited to spend the morning with Washington County 4-H from 9 a.m. – noon on Saturday, Dec. 7, learning about a variety project areas through hands-on practice, building and creating.

Washington County 4-H is hosting a Winter Project Extravaganza for any youth fourth grade and older. Each 4-Her brings in their own level of experiences and is able to apply that to all of these project areas. Check them out and get registered today! Pre-registrations required by Dec. 2. Contact the Washington County Extension to get registered at 319-653-481.

Schedule of events

9 a.m. – noon: Intro to Welding is open to 5th grade above to create a reindeer made of horseshoes. Each participant will learn basic welding, terms, safety, and tips with hands-on practice at the Kirkwood Regional Center in Washington. There is a fee for this program.

9 a.m. – noon: Ready, Set, Sew - Candy bag This workshop will make a small drawstring candy bag. Participants should be able to thread their machine on their own, sew a straight seam with an even seam allowance, safely use a rotary cutter, and follow simple pattern directions. Free to attend but must bring required supplies for project. Supply list provided upon registration.

9 a.m. – noon: Scrabble Letters and Tray will be led by RePurpose It. Participants will start with bare wood and sand, stencil, paint, build their own ‘scrabble' letters. Participants may select two words of 3–6 letters in length. Cost $30. Open to 4th grade and above. Workshop will be held at RePurpose It in Washington.

9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Call of the Wild will be led by Washington County naturalist Megan Jorgensen at Marr Park Conservation Center. Participants will get out into nature and call the wild – ducks, geese, turkey, deer. Learn about the art of speaking to nature through these man-made calls. See, experiment and make some of your own tricks to talk with nature.

10:30 am-noon: Copper Wire Tree Sculpture is led by Ashely Stout of River Bottom Hill Co with her unique wire art. Create a small 10-inch tree from copper wire. Use needle nose pliers to twist and create. Open to 4th grade and above. There is a fee for this program.

9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Merry & Bright String Art will create an 8-inch by 10-inch sign. Follow the provided pattern with supplies provided to create a Merry & Bright table top sign or wall hanging. There is a fee for this program. Open to 4th grade and above.

Youth are encouraged to come, listen and learn with hands-on experience to boost knowledge and spark new project interests while having a good time, meeting new friends and building upon skills. Pre-registration is required of all workshops and will fill on a first come, first serve basis. Photos of the projects and detailed descriptions are available at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/washington/

Contact Amy Green at the Washington County Extension Office, 319-653-4811, with questions or if you would like to volunteer. Follow 'Washington County 4-H – Iowa” on Facebook for up to date information on 4-H events and other youth programs for Washington County.