KEENE, N.H. – Young people from across the Monadnock Region are invited to spend a day building, experimenting and exploring at 4-H Discovery Day: Pathways to Possibilities, set for Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at Keene State College’s Technology, Design, and Safety Center, 229 Main Street, Keene. The day-long, in-person event is a collaboration of Keene State College, University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and University of New Hampshire (UNH) Extension 4-H youth development programs, and is open to youth ages 8 to 18, whether or not they are 4-H members.
Younger participants (ages 8–13) choose a workshop track packed with hands-on activities. Past workshops have included building brushbot robots, exploring light with laser mirror mazes, identifying New Hampshire mammals from real skulls, creating color art with kitchen chemistry, and designing and testing catapults aimed at 3D-printed Keene State mascot targets with help from college students. Teens (ages 14–18) take part in a career and college immersion in STEM, outdoor adventures, animal science and creative storytelling.
The event also connects families with local 4-H club programs and gives young people a look at the college programs that could shape their futures.
What parents are saying
Caroline of Cheshire County, a parent and volunteer who attended last year’s Discovery Day at Keene State, said the experience stood out from what children typically find in a club setting.
“I can see their motivation coming out of them, their excitement, their grins. They’re flourishing and connecting with new faces, new friends.”
Caroline said the hands-on format sparks curiosity that continues long after the event ends.
“I think it has great benefit tapping into their curiosity. And as that happens, the curiosity grows. They’re more motivated and they explore things at home.”
She also pointed to the value of holding the event close to home.
“It’s nice to make connections locally.”
Caroline said Discovery Day offers something different from a traditional club meeting, and she plans to return.
“It’s a little different approach than the typical club. It’s broader experiences, it’s hands on. It’s really great.
"I’m looking forward to coming back next year and I enjoy seeing my child’s eyes sparkle with delight.”
Families traveled from across the region to take part, including Tiffany of Coos County, a 4-H volunteer leader who runs a rabbit club and drove three hours to Keene with her 12-year-old. She said Discovery Day offered a change from the animal, art and public speaking projects her family usually pursues.
She praised the hands-on approach and the variety of choices available to young people.
“It was a lot of hands on things for them. So to keep them interested and exposed to a variety of things that they probably wouldn’t get elsewhere.”
“I think it was nice how you guys did the different tracks and things so kids could choose what to do and got a little bit of everything.”
Kaya of Sullivan County, a 4-H volunteer whose children are active in several 4-H clubs, said the Keene State setting and the activity lineup were part of the draw.
“I think it’s a great little campus and I want my kids to get a feel for it for, you know, choices down the road.”
“The offerings ended up being even better than they looked on paper.”
Melissa of Merrimack County, a longtime 4-H leader, said the event’s variety is what sets it apart, and that it shows families how much 4-H offers beyond animal science.
“Because I grew up in 4-H without an animal, I am always looking for ways to share that 4-H is more than just animals.”
“I think it’s great for animal science families to realize that there’s so many more things to learn.”
Event details
- What: 4-H Discovery Day with Keene State College: Pathways to Possibilities
- Presented by: Keene State College, University of Vermont Extension 4-H and University of New Hampshire Extension 4-H youth development programs
- When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Keene State College, Technology, Design, and Safety Center, 229 Main Street, Keene, N.H.
- Who: Youth ages 8–18. Parents and other adults are welcome to attend parent workshops or volunteer as youth workshop guides.
- Cost: $20 per enrolled 4-H member and $30 per non-4-H youth, both including lunch; $15 per adult for lunch in the Keene State dining hall. Scholarships are available on request.
- Register: Registration is required and closes at the end of the day on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. Youth workshop sign-ups open in October, first to pre-registrants and then to the public. Joining 4-H is free through 4-H ZSuite and is required to receive the 4-H rate.
- Registration Link: https://extension.unh.edu/event/2026/11/4-h-discovery-day-keene-state-college-pathways-possibilities
Details and registration are available at extension.unh.edu. Accommodation and language access requests can be made at unh.how/request.
About the partners
4-H Discovery Day is a collaboration of Keene State College, University of Vermont Extension 4-H and University of New Hampshire Extension 4-H youth development programs. 4-H helps young people build confidence, curiosity and leadership skills through hands-on learning.
