The Northeast Iowa 4-H Citizenship group traveled to Des Moines to enhance their learning and to see our government in action. Thirty-four youth and 9 adults from Clayton, Delaware, and Fayette counties journeyed to Des Moines as part of their 4-H Citizenship program on Tuesday, March 7. The Northeast Iowa 4-H Citizenship program is for active 4-H members in middle school and high school. Members participate in a ten- session program that teaches them about citizenship, the inner workings of our local, state, and federal government and how to be a greater service for their community and county.
Youth first visited the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Once inside the Museum youth were greeted by a replica of a woolly mammoth. Youth had the opportunity to learn life in Iowa before it became a state and the changes that took place when settlers arrived. They met up with a Civil War impersonator explaining why over 76,000 Iowans decided to fight for the Union during the Civil War. They also discovered Iowa’s bicycling history, about RAGBRAI, how it started with 120 cyclists in 1973. The museum also featured Hollywood in the heartland and showcased some famous movies filmed right here in Iowa.
The afternoon was spent at the State Capital building. 4-H youth and volunteers toured the historical capital building. Tour guides informed the group about how the builders started to work on the State Capital Building when the state was only twenty five years old, and it took thirty six years of construction and special craftsmen and their skills to create a capital building that makes Iowa proud. 4-H youth had the opportunity to talk to their State Legislatures and State Senators and share information on what they are currently working on and answered several questions from the group. The highlight of the trip was being able to visit with Governor Kim Reynolds.
4-H members from Delaware County participating the 4-H Citizenship Program are Katelyn Beilby, Ryleigh Moriarity, Kael Loecke, Cooper Eschen, Cael Cannon, Chase Cannon, Jayden Hillers, Madie Deutmeyer, Kelsey Goebel, Alison Schulte, Madalynn Arnold, Morgan Hoeger, and Hayden Tucker.
For more information on joining 4-H or to learn more about the 4-H Citizenship program visit the Delaware County Extension and Outreach webpage at www.extension.iastate.edu/delaware
photo courtesy of Delaware County 4-H (pictured with Governor Kim Reynolds are State Senators Dan Zumbach and Mike Klimesh, House Representatives Michael Bergan, Anne Osmundson, Craig R. Johnson, and Chad Ingels)
