Schools Participate in Annual Teen Maze

More than 1,300 seventh grade students from a dozen schools in Central Iowa will participate in Teen Maze during the week of April 4-8.

Teen Maze, which is held at the Boone County Fairgrounds, is an interactive, experiential learning event to help youth strengthen their morals and create a healthy environment.

A collaboration between YSS and the Division 11 Kiwanis Clubs of Boone, Greene, and Story Counties, the event helps youth learn to make the right decisions, as well as understand how consequences of their actions can affect their futures and those around them.

“It is a great collaboration between Northeast Iowa Division 11 Kiwanis, YSS, and the schools,” said Gerri Bugg, YSS Director of Community, Youth, and Family Development. “It is so fun to see the impact it has on the kids.”

During Teen Maze, students participate in 12 games that teach how to prevent drug/alcohol use, teen pregnancy, and smoking, as well as provide information on how to get jobs, the impact of social media, and many other influential topics.

Some interactive games includes a texting and driving simulator to demonstrate the importance of safe driving, a body image course to help students understand the strict societal standards we face each day, as well as a surprise guest who will make a Lego creation with the students.

Along with YSS and the Division 11 Kiwanis clubs, other organizations and businesses such as Iowa State University, local medical clinics, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and financial institutions provide their resources to the teens during the event.

This is the first in-person Teen Maze since 2019, as the past two years have been virtual due to the pandemic.