Washington County Youth celebrate National 4-H Week Oct. 5-11

The anticipation is building for National 4-H Week, during which millions of youth, parents, volunteers, and alumni across the country will be celebrating everything 4-H. Oct. 5-11 is National 4-H Week, and Washington County is celebrating the 4-H youth and alumni who are making an impact on the community. During this celebrated week 4-H members and volunteers are excited to promote 4-H in special ways in communities across the county. Several special events will be going all week to help celebrate. Washington County 4-H is proud to have such an active and supportive community of these special events and our youth.

The 2025 National 4-H Week theme is Beyond Ready, which celebrates the program’s dedication to building a generation equipped for the future while being met where they are today. This year, 4-H is focused on helping youth be ready to lead, ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to conquer.

4-H believes that young people, in partnership with adults, can play a key role in creating a more promising and equitable future for youth, families, and communities across the country. Through hands-on learning experiences in areas such as agriculture, communication and the arts, leadership and civic engagement, healthy living, and STEM, 4-H members are equipped with the skills they need to be Beyond Ready and make a difference in the world.

Washington County 4-H is proud to be in the top 3 largest 4-H programs in the state of Iowa with over 400 4th-12th grade members last year and 160 kindergarten-3rd graders in Clover Kids. It is a place for youth to belong and grow by connecting with peers at monthly meetings and activities. National 4-H Week is the perfect time to get enrolled in 4-H as clubs are kicking off the new 4-H year this month.

The 4-H county council kicked off National 4-H Week a bit early Sept. 27 by having an active hand in the community preparing and serving a meal for Saturday Kitchen at the UP Church in Washington.

There are 4-H locker signs in the schools and enrollment drawings. During the month County Council will be sharing with 4th grade classrooms a folder of 4-H information this fall. To find a 4-H Club, families should contact the Extension Office in Washington or they can find the current club options and leaders at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/washington/join-4-h.

Tuesday is a special day identified by the Iowa 4-H Foundation as Giving Day. Washington County has a direct and online giving open from Oct. 7 noon — Oct. 8 noon. Supporters of 4-H are invited to give financially online directly to the county program of their choice. Funds raised help support local 4-H programs. Washington County’s donation site is https://www.iowa4hgivingday.org/organizations/washington-county-4-h

There are several social media contests running during the week to encourage 4-Hers to share their 4-H stories and challenge completion enters them in 4-H PROUD Prize Packages.

Oct. 6 was “Mindful Monday” challenging 4-Hers and their families to take time to show gratitude for those who support them.

Oct. 7 is “Tasty Tuesday” and 4-Hers are encouraged to enjoy a meal with their family together. An open house/fundraiser night is set for Unc & Neph’s in Washington where 4-H staff and volunteers will be present to answer questions. 10% of all food sales that night is donated to Washington County 4-H.

Oct. 8 is “Wear it Wednesday” and 4-Hers are challenged to Go Green in their 4-H gear to show 4-H Pride everywhere they go.

Oct. 9 is “Throwback Thursday” for 4-Hers families past and present to flood social media with flashback photos of favorite 4-H days

Oct. 10 is “Friend Friday” 4-Hers and volunteers are encouraged to invite new members and new volunteers to join. There are still clubs taking new members.

Washington County has 4-H programs for youth in grades K-12. For more information about the 4-H program in Washington County as a member or volunteer, contact the Washington County Extension Office, 319-653-4811, or check the web at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/washington/.