1949
The Iowa 4-H (Club) Foundation is incorporated to receive, hold, and disburse funds for the best interest of Iowa 4-H youths.

1950
The first tract of land for the state 4-H camp is purchased with money raised by 4-H members, families, and friends.

1951
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation provides a no-interest loan to purchase 557 acres of land along the Des Moines River. The 4-H camp site grows to 1,208 acres.

1952
The Iowa 4-H Camping Center host is first visitors. Campers 14 years and older work hard to prepare the site for future development.

1953
Campers enjoy a cool dip in the new camp swimming pool.

1963
Linden Lodge opens as the new camp administration building.

1967
Completion of Birch Village concludes construction of the camp villages, which include Elm, Hickory, Maple, and Oak.

1978
4-H 400 Donor Club initiated by trustees Varlyn Fink and Don Nebergall. Membership requires a $400 pledge with annual payment so $40 or more.

1985
Orschelan Farm and Home Stores offers five-$500 scholarships for Iowa 4-H'ers to attend college. These are the first Iowa 4-H scholarships awarded.

1986
A financial aid program is established to help young people pay registration fees for 4-H events. This effort helps many youth during the farm crisis.

The 4-H 400 Donor Clubs adds three more recognition levels and welcomes its first new club members: $1,000-Bob Skinner; $4,000-Melva L. and William R. Berkland; $10,000-Sheryl and Don Williams.

1987
Florine Swanson is hired as the Executive Director.

1988
The 4-H Foundation receives its largest gift ever-a bequest of $500,000 in farmland, cash, annuities, and personal effects from the estate of Henry, Eldred, and Marie Schlapkohl at Walcott in Scott County. This gift creates the first endowment for 4-H Foundation to be used for maintenance at the Iowa 4-H Center (camp).

1992
Construction begins on a new bath house for the swimming pool.

1993
The "Flood of the Century" prompts action by the 4-H Foundation to provide special financial assistance for 4-H families directly affected by the disaster.

1994
First 4-H Football Game at Iowa State University (Homecoming game vs. Kansas). More than 5,000 free tickets for 4-H members provided by Norwest Banks of Iowa.

1994-96
Imagine Together Capital Campaign raises more than $2.5 million for 4-H program expansion, training, and support of volunteer leaders, and facility improvements at the Iowa 4-H Center.

1995
National 4-H Council drops financial support to 4-H Congress forcing states to pick up the registration fees for all delegates. The Iowa 4-H Foundation funds 20 Congress trips with a goal of 30 sponsored trips by the year 2000.

1997
Iowa 4-H'ers partner with the Iowa 4-H Foundation to contribute $22,000 for the 4-H Are You Into It? national advertising campaign.

1998
A new central kitchen and dining hall opens at the Iowa 4-H Center providing meals on site and seating for 250 people.

Iowa State University President Martin Jischke announces plans to build a $3.5 million building for 4-H Youth Extension departments. The Iowa 4-H Foundation begins to raise $1.5 million in private support for the project.

1999
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation pledges $1 million for the construction of the new Extension/4-H Building.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation celebrates it's 50th anniversary at the Iowa 4-H Center. A new brick patio is dedicated at Linden Lodge.

Buy a brick for the patio >>>

Clarion bear is introduced to the public at the Iowa State Fair. The Foundation sells 1,000 of the limited-edition 4-H bean bears in three days.

2001
A new climbing/rappelling tower is ready for the 2001 camping season. The 50-foot tower, one of the highest in Iowa, is designed to attract both rookie and experienced youth and adults. A grant from the Maytag Family Foundation funded the tower project.

High adventure awaits at the Iowa 4-H Center >>>

2002
The 100th anniversary of the 4-H Youth Movement is celebrated nationwide. The Iowa 4-H Foundation sponsors a traveling 4-H Centennial exhibit, publishes a 4-H children's book, and hosts the inaugural induction of 100 members into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.

See the Iowa 4-H Centennial Photo Gallery >>>

Iowa 4-H and Iowa State University break ground for the new Extension 4-H Youth Building.

2003
The Iowa 4-H Foundation moves into its new home, the Extension 4-H Youth Building located on the corner of Stange Rd and 13th St in Ames. The $4.5 million facility was built with private funds. The building is dedicated to the public by Iowa State University on November 8.

Driving directions to the Extension 4-H Youth Building >>>

2004
Foundation board president, Mike Gumina, launches the President's Campaign to raise $450,000 in support of volunteer leader development, 4-H after school programs, a paved road to the 4-H Center, state 4-H recognition, and National 4-H Congress. Gumina's employer, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, matches 50 cents for every dollar contributed to the campaign.

C.J. Gauger celebrates his 90th birthday with 4-H friends during a special donor event held in the new 4-H W.O.W. Center. Glen Hollister of Des Moines and Glen Thompson of Fort Dodge are inducted into the Iowa 4-H Foundation Honor Court.

Air-conditioning arrives at the 4-H Exhibit Building for the 150th Iowa State Fair. The Foundation releases a limited-edition commemorative 4-H bear to celebrate the partnership of 4-H and the Iowa State Fair.

2005
The Iowa 4-H Foundation hosts the National 4-H Executive Directors Conference with 23 states represented.

Changing of the guards: Florine Swanson retires after an 18-year career as Executive Director and Joe Leisz is hired as the new Executive Director.

A new flagpole with landscaping is added outside the main entrance of the Extension 4-H Youth Building. The flagpole area is dedicated in honor of C.J. Gauger, state 4-H leader from 1959-1979.

2006
Foundation board adopts new strategic plan with four focus areas: Branding & Marketing, Resource Investment, Fundraising & Volunteerism, and Board Governance.

Hickory Lodge undergoes a $127,000 renovation to its bathroom facilities, thanks to the Schlapkohl Endowment Fund and a grant from the Maytag Family Foundation. Other major improvements include new roofs on Hickory cabins, and two new sides added to the climbing tower.

Delegates to the State 4-H Youth Conference helped the City of Ames prepare for the first-ever National Special Olympics, including the preparation of 450 trays of lasagna for the athletes.

10th Annual Going for the Green 4-H Golf Benefit features ISU basketball legend, Gary Thompson, as the guest celebrity. The event raises nearly $30,000 for Iowa 4-H youth programs.

Max Exner is inducted posthumously into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Exner worked with Iowa State University Extension as state music specialist from 1947-1980.

2007
Happy 100th Birthday to the 4-H Clover! Clarion, Iowa, celebrates the clover centennial in June. In attendance, Sally Benson, granddaughter of O.H. Benson, the Wright County school superintendent who is credited for the four-leaf clover becoming the national emblem for 4-H. Alumni reunions celebrating the centennial were held in some counties and at the Iowa State Fair.

The annual 4-H CallAThon fundraiser hits an all-time record by raising more than $137,000 in pledge commitments from 4-H alumni and friends.

A new special event launches during the Iowa State Fair. The Everything Iowa! 4-H eBay Charity Auction featured 66 items including a 2007 VW Beetle Convertible, NASCAR race package, John Deere lawn mower, and a guided turkey hunt.