ICON Water Trails launches Youth Adventure Education series

DES MOINES, IA (June 22, 2026) – ICON Water Trails is excited to announce the launch of its Youth Adventure Education Series, beginning in July 2026. Designed to connect youth with Central Iowa’s rivers and creeks, the series will provide hands-on opportunities to explore the outdoors, learn about local waterways, build confidence around water, and discover the recreational opportunities available throughout the ICON Water Trails network. The inaugural series includes four programs:

• ICON Water Tales – Sponsored by Meta: Interactive story time by the water where young children and their caregivers explore rivers, wildlife, conservation, and the natural world through engaging stories and activities.
• Creek Stompers: Hands-on exploration of local waterways where participants discover aquatic ecology, identify plants and wildlife, and experience rivers and creeks through guided activities and play.
• River Fishing: Introduction to river fishing that teaches basic fishing techniques, safety practices, local fish species, and the important role rivers play in supporting aquatic life.
• Safety Workshop: Interactive activities and demonstrations that help participants build confidence around water while learning river hazards, safety equipment, and responsible recreation practices.

Programs will take place throughout ICON’s Regional Network, with sessions already scheduled in Urbandale, Johnston, and Bondurant. Additional sessions will be added throughout the summer. The series will utilize ICON’s growing network of 18 active access points across Central Iowa, with six additional sites currently under construction. All programs are free and open to the public, with advance registration required.

ICON also plans to collaborate with community organizations to expand access to outdoor recreation opportunities for underserved youth, through these programs.

The Youth Adventure Education Series has been made possible through support from the Iowa DNR REAP Grant, Polk County, and Meta. Their investment will help connect more youth to Central Iowa’s waterways through safe, educational, and engaging outdoor experiences. ICON will partner with the Iowa DNR on the River Fishing and River Safety Workshop programs, incorporating the agency’s expertise in water safety, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

“We’ve spent years building this incredible network of access points across Central Iowa, and we’re excited to now bring programming to these sites and connect more people to their local waterways,” said Stephanie Oppel, Executive Director of ICON Water Trails. “This series represents an important step in activating our network and creating meaningful outdoor experiences for our communities.”

“We are thrilled to be able to offer new outdoor recreation opportunities for children and families in our region,” said Cole Miller, Associate Director of Regional Programs at ICON Water Trails. “These programs will help introduce youth to a variety of ways they can safely interact with our rivers and creeks while helping them feel more comfortable and confident around the water.”

Available dates and registration information can be found at Adventures – Iowa Confluence Water Trails.

About ICON Water Trails  

ICON Water Trails is a regionally inclusive recreational confluence connecting culture, conservation, and adventure by empowering our waterways. ICON is creating a connected network of access points across 150 miles of rivers and creeks in Central Iowa. This transformational initiative represents a new commitment to water safety and conservation as well as a concerted effort to drive economic development, visitor attraction, and workforce retention