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2026 Kansas 4-H Discovery Days
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courtesy photo Youths attending 4-H Discovery Days included, from left: Melody Braddy, Samantha Negaard, Brynlee Walter, Faith Schmeidler, and Kate Pope.

Cottonwood Extension District 4-H members have several learning opportunities available to them throughout each 4-H programming year. One such trip is called 4-H Discovery Days that is held at the Kansas State University Campus in Manhattan. Usually held during the first week of June every year, 4-H Discovery Days is a mini college experience designed for 4-H youth who are 13-18 years of age as of Jan. 1. The primary purpose of the event is to gain new ideas and expand on a youth’s 4-H experience.

These experiences come in the form of action-oriented learning activities, fun tours, and great social events. All the while, meeting new people, building leadership skills, and growing as a person! 4-H Discovery Days helps to prepare youth to make informed decisions about their careers and college path. It also enhances their personal growth by giving opportunities to develop responsibility, confidence, independence, accountability, problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills.

This year, five youth from the Cottonwood District, made up of Ellis and Barton counties, attended 4-H Discovery Days. Classes they attended included video editing, line and swing dancing, and a tour of the Museum of Art and Light, where they discussed career opportunities. As with many learning opportunities, there is a cost associated with educational trips such as 4-H Discovery Days. Our Barton and Ellis County 4-H programs both have funds that go to providing financial aid to these youth so that they can attend trips like this. If you would be interested in providing a donation to support scholarships for 4-H youth to attend more trips like 4-H Discovery Days, then feel free to reach out to either Cottonwood Extension District offices and we’d love to talk with you about that opportunity. Your contribution could help provide a youth with a learning opportunity they may have never had the chance to take on their own!

For more information on 4-H Youth Development or K-State Extension call 620-793-1910, email 4-H Agent Ben Sims at benjam63@ksu.edu, or stop by the Great Bend office at 3007 10th St. Be sure to follow K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood Extension District Facebook page and check the website cottonwood.k-state.edu for the most up-to-date information about Extension programming.