Urban Espinoza, 8, Aloura Sue Hilts, 11, Zahmaria Jensen, 7, Ashley Tinoco, 7, Angel Garcia, 10, Diego Ferto-Holdegrafer, 12, and Fabian Ferto-Holdegrafer, 8 spent the morning learning about energy, making balloon rockets and experiencing the television filming process.

“We had a group of seven rambunctious, fun-loving characters of the highest degree and we had a great activity,” said Wardell.

Kids learned about potential and kinetic energy by making balloon rockets. They tested out their rocket skills by attaching the balloons to fishing wire and straws to increase the balloons’ flights.

“We talked about energy and kids made balloon rockets,” said Wardell. “The kids were just so fantastic. We had a great time.”

Ashley Tinoco, age 7, and Urban Espinoza, age 8, answer questions during filming of the IPTV's Kid's Clubhouse series.

The kids had to problem solve and partner up to find solutions to make their balloons travel across the library’s meeting room.

“When we do these activities, we give them very little instruction because we want them to learn through the process,” said Wardell.

Along with hosting the IPTV Kid’s Clubhouse,Wardell is a producer and director with Iowa Public Television. Wardell travels across the state promoting reading through activities and interactive games. Wardell has represented the clubhouse for nearly 14 years. Wardell made the trip to Webster City with Cameron McCoy, videographer and producer for IPTV.

“We travel around the state visiting libraries and schools and town celebrations talking about turning the television off, going outside to play, using imagination, reading good books and eating healthy foods,” said Wardell.

Kendall Young Library was one of ten Iowa libraries participating in this event this summer. After filming, the crew headed to Nevada for their camping-themed show to learn about tying knots. Other topics for the third season include energy, emotions, theatre, colors and culture.

—Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Adri Sietstra Webster City youth are pictured with IPTV’s Dan Wardell and Cameron McCoy and Kendall Young Children’s Librarian Linda Brown Tuesday morning after the completion of filming an episode of the IPTV Kid’s Clubhouse show.

Webster City was the first stop of filming for the IPTV Kid’s Clubhouse’s third season, which will air next summer at a date to be determined.

“Today is actually day one of the third season production of the Kid’s Clubhouse show,” said Wardell. “Today is shoot number one of season number three and we couldn’t have picked a better library to come to.”

“That’s the only downfall of today, that we are shooting a year out, so it’s very likely that the good citizens of Webster City won’t see this until next June or July,” Wardell said.

This is not Wardell’s first time in Webster City. He has traveled here multiple times over the past few years for summer story time programs. However, filming for the Kid’s Clubhouse series here is a first.

“Webster City, I believe over my travels, I’ve been here at least three years in the summer to do story time. This year, it just so happened that Webster City wasn’t on my tour of reading at the libraries,” said Wardell.

Zahmaria Jensen, age 7, and Aloura Sue Hilts, age 11, take their turn in front of the camera on Tuesday morning at Kendall Young Library. The duo were part of the seven Webster City kids who were a part of the IPTV's Kid's Clubhouse filming.

As a promoter of reading and the importance of learning, Wardell was impressed with Kendall Young Library and the programs it offers all ages.

“We love libraries and we’re very thankful that you guys have such a beautiful library here in Webster City,” Wardell said.