August is Fair Time…and So Much More! ☘️🎡
August has arrived, and with it comes one of the most exciting times of the 4-H year Oconto County Youth fair season! As members put the finishing touches on projects, practice showmanship skills, and prepare exhibits, we are looking forward to celebrating all of the hard work, learning, and growth that has taken place throughout the year.
With that, we also know 4-H Food Stand shifts are just around the corner. The Food Stand is one of the most important fundraisers supporting our county program. The funds raised help provide significant discounts for educational trips, camps, leadership conferences, workshops, and other experiences that make 4-H accessible to more youth and families. Every shift worked helps create opportunities for members across Oconto County.
The fair is just one of many opportunities available through 4-H! This month, we are also looking forward to our Noah’s Ark Day, where youth will have the chance to build friendships, make memories, and enjoy a day of fun together.
As summer begins to wind down, now is also a great time to start thinking about the many opportunities available in the months ahead. Whether your interests include leadership, the arts, travel, citizenship, or meeting new friends from across Wisconsin and beyond, there is truly something for everyone. Opportunities such as Fall Forum, Ignite by 4-H, Citizenship Washington Focus, Arts Camp, and many others help youth discover new passions, build confidence, and develop skills that will benefit them for years to come. If something sparks your interest, we encourage you to give it a try, you never know where your 4-H journey may take you!
As we head into a busy and exciting month, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our club leaders, project leaders, parents, volunteers, committee members, and supporters. Your time, talents, encouragement, and dedication help create meaningful experiences for our young people every day. Together, we are helping youth build confidence, develop life skills, discover their strengths, and become Beyond Ready for work and life!
We can't wait to see all that our members accomplish at the fair and beyond. Here's to a fantastic August filled with learning, leadership, service, and plenty of fun!
Aimee Elkins
Oconto County 4-H Educator and Teen Court Coordinator
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Important Reminder: Annual 4-H Club & Group Authorization Due September 1
As we begin a new 4-H year, we want to remind all Oconto County 4-H Clubs and Groups that the Wisconsin 4-H Clubs & Groups Annual Authorization is due by September 1, 2026.
This year brings a welcome change to the process! To make annual reporting easier, the Annual Financial Report and Annual Charter Renewal have been combined into a single document with only one required signature. This streamlined process reduces paperwork while still ensuring clubs and groups remain authorized to use the 4-H Name and Emblem.
To maintain authorization and continue operating any club or group checking and/or savings accounts, the following items must be submitted:
A completed Wisconsin 4-H Clubs & Groups Annual Authorization
A copy of the June or July bank statement(s) for all club/group accounts
A current inventory of any land, buildings, property, or project equipment valued at $2,000 or more
Federal regulations require that funds raised in the name of 4-H remain publicly accountable and be used solely for 4-H educational purposes. Annual reporting also helps maintain the tax-exempt status of Wisconsin 4-H Clubs and Groups under the University’s Group Exemption Number.
If your club or group anticipates needing additional time to complete the authorization process, please contact the Extension Office as soon as possible to discuss available options. Please note that late submissions without prior approval may jeopardize a club or group's charter status.
Thank you for your commitment to providing positive youth development opportunities through 4-H. Your volunteer leadership makes a lasting difference in the lives of young people throughout Oconto County.
If you have any questions or need assistance completing the Annual Authorization, please contact Aimee Elkins at the Oconto County Extension Office
Important Reminder: Annual 4-H Club & Group Authorization Due September 1
As we begin a new 4-H year, we want to remind all Oconto County 4-H Clubs and Groups that the Wisconsin 4-H Clubs & Groups Annual Authorization is due by September 1, 2026.
This year brings a welcome change to the process! To make annual reporting easier, the Annual Financial Report and Annual Charter Renewal have been combined into a single document with only one required signature. This streamlined process reduces paperwork while still ensuring clubs and groups remain authorized to use the 4-H Name and Emblem.
To maintain authorization and continue operating any club or group checking and/or savings accounts, the following items must be submitted:
A completed Wisconsin 4-H Clubs & Groups Annual Authorization
A copy of the June or July bank statement(s) for all club/group accounts
A current inventory of any land, buildings, property, or project equipment valued at $2,000 or more
Federal regulations require that funds raised in the name of 4-H remain publicly accountable and be used solely for 4-H educational purposes. Annual reporting also helps maintain the tax-exempt status of Wisconsin 4-H Clubs and Groups under the University’s Group Exemption Number.
If your club or group anticipates needing additional time to complete the authorization process, please contact the Extension Office as soon as possible to discuss available options. Please note that late submissions without prior approval may jeopardize a club or group's charter status.
Thank you for your commitment to providing positive youth development opportunities through 4-H. Your volunteer leadership makes a lasting difference in the lives of young people throughout Oconto County.
If you have any questions or need assistance completing the Annual Authorization, please contact Aimee Elkins at the Oconto County Extension Office.
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The Fair Board is asking all Sale of Champions Exhibitors to fill out this Biography Google Form.
This form can also be found on the fair website under Junior Premium under Animal Project forms.
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YQCA Updates from Oconto County Youth Fair |
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Please see Oconto County Youth Fair or the YQCA Program website for more information!
FYI- Blue Ribbon will not accept an upload of your YQCA certificate but there is a field under the exhibitors account info to type in the certificate number. Please print a hard copy to bring with your paperwork to the fair. Please pass this information on to your exhibitors and their families.
Thank you for your support
Oconto County Youth Fair
Cindy Arndt Secretary
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Local Events and Opportunities! |
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OC 4-H at Oconto Falls Whale Tour! |
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Come visit the Oconto County 4-H table for fun activities at the Whale Tour! Bring the whole family out for some massive fun and hands-on learning.
Event Details
When: Friday, August 14th, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Oconto Falls Middle School Gymnasium (330 S County Road I, Oconto Falls, WI 54154)
Cost: FREE!
Registration: No sign-up needed—just show up!
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Celebrate Camp Bird Appreciation Day! |
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Come explore one of Marinette County’s most historic treasures! On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the Friends of Camp Bird will host an Appreciation Day from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Camp Bird Youth Center (N8395 Caldron Falls Road, Crivitz, WI).
We’ll be serving up a good old-fashioned camp meal: charcoal-grilled hot dogs and brats with all the fixings, baked beans, chips, and desserts. Enjoy your meal in our historic log cabin dining hall, then take a tour through the buildings, around the grounds, or along the beautiful lake trail. Basketball, tetherball, and sand volleyball courts will also be open for families to enjoy!
Since 1943, Camp Bird has been a cornerstone for local youth. Come reminisce, enjoy the day, and help support our mission. While there is no set cost, donations are greatly appreciated—all proceeds go directly toward camp maintenance and improvements.
· Future Rentals: If you’re interested in renting the camp for a future youth outing, this is the perfect time for a tour!
· Please note: Waterfront activities are not available, and pets are not allowed per state regulations. RSVP: Get your tickets for this event here or scan the code.
Questions? Kindly email friendsofcampbird@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook @campbirdforlutherans to join the conversation and stay updated.
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Peshtigo National Bank 2026 Fair Project Scholarship Program |
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Peshtigo National Bank is now accepting applications for its 2026 Fair Project Scholarship Program, supporting youth exhibitors participating in county fairs throughout Marinette, Oconto, Brown, Portage, Marathon, Shawano, and Langlade counties.
Now in its third year, the program recognizes the hard work, responsibility, and commitment required to raise and care for livestock and other animal projects. During the program's first two years, Peshtigo National Bank awarded more than $10,000 in scholarships annually to youth exhibitors across its service area.
Eligible exhibitors showing livestock, poultry, rabbits, or other animal projects are encouraged to apply. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on their dedication to their projects and involvement in agriculture.
Applications must be submitted by August 28, 2026.
To learn more and apply online, visit https://pnbwi.com/fair-scholarships.html or click here!
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State-Wide Events and Opportunities |
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Volunteer Training Opportunity- Shooting Sports Certified Instructor! |
The next opportunity for PYD staff and approved volunteers to become a Wisconsin 4-H Shooting Sports Certified Instructor, or add an additional discipline certification, will be held on Saturday, September 19, at the Central Wisconsin Sportsmen's Club in Marshfield, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Come spend the day learning from extremely knowledgeable state-level instructors, many of whom are Level 2 National 4-H Certified Instructors, with decades of combined experience to share! Becoming a qualified instructor does not mean you need extensive experience or background knowledge. This training will prepare participants to help lead or support an existing Shooting Sports program. Only one discipline may be completed per workshop.
Disciplines Offered
Archery
Coordinator
Muzzleloader
Pistol/Air Pistol
Rifle/Air Rifle
Shotgun
*This is the only workshop of the year that offers Coordinator Training, an in-depth opportunity to learn the management and leadership side of 4-H Shooting Sports. This training is a great fit for 4-H educators or volunteers who want to expand their understanding of managing Shooting Sports, as well as counties looking to start, strengthen, or grow their programs. Coordinators help ensure safe, well-organized, and effective programming across disciplines while supporting volunteers, managing risk and resources, planning events, and creating meaningful opportunities for youth to develop skills and life skills through shooting sports.
Registration & Cost
All participants must be approved volunteers and register through 4-H Online.
Approved Volunteers: $65
PYD Staff: No cost
Volunteer Registration: https://26centralworkshop.4honline.com/
Staff interested in registering who do not have a volunteer account in 4-H Online should contact pydadminteam@extension.wisc.edu for registration assistance.
Registration Deadline: Sunday, September 13
For additional information, visit the Wisconsin 4-H Shooting Sports Website: Shooting Sports – Wisconsin 4-H or contact Jason Hornickel at jason.hornickel@wisc.edu
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National 4-H Dairy Conference |
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Submit your workshop for Fall Forum 2026, held from November 6-8, 2026 at the Stevens Point Holiday Inn Convention Center!
The purpose of Fall Forum is to bring 4-H youth and adult leaders together to connect, collaborate, celebrate, and continue building excitement and energy for a new year of 4-H learning. The program is designed for youth in grades 7-13 and adult volunteers.
These workshop sessions are designed to be engaging, hands-on and feature topics of interest to youth and adults. Participants register for workshops in advance.
If you have any questions, please contact Dawn Vandevoort, dawn.vandevoort@wisc.edu, 920-366-7087
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| There will be 3 workshop timeslots on Saturday, November 7th:
- 11:00am - 12:00pm
- 1:30pm - 2:30pm
- 3:00pm - 4:30 pm
The deadline to submit a workshop is August 15, 2026.
Submit your workshops through this link: https://go.wisc.edu/5r5g75.
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FREE Back-to-School Day Camp for Military Families!
Saturday, August 22, 2026
12:30–4:00 PM
STEM Innovation Center, Green Bay, WI
Hosted by the WI Army National Guard Child & Youth Program, Wisconsin 4-H, and the USO, this event is open to families connected to ALL branches of the military.
FREE to attend – registration required
Reserve your spot here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/wicyp/2234153
We can’t wait to see you there!
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Location: Upham Woods, N194 County Rd N, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Registration now open!
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Arts Camp 2026- Registration OPEN |
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Reminder that Arts Camp registration is open!
4-Hers in grades 6-8 can register for this opportunity to explore a many types of art!
You can join us at Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells on October 3-4 to grow creative skills, connect with new friends, and explore sparks!
To learn more, visit our website: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/statewide-events.../arts-camp/
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| 4-Hers can join us at Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells to grow their creative skills, connect with new friends, and explore sparks.
Register here between July 15 and August 15: https://26wi4hartscamp.4honline.com/
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Jumps, Tunnels, and Tables, Oh My! We hope you are joining us on October 10th for the WI State 4-H Dog Agility Show sponsored by the WI State 4-H Dog Association. Registrations are due by September 1st. More information about the show rules and guidelines and registrations can be found at: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/.../state-4-h-dog-agility.../
Please make sure to read through both of the booklets. The the entry forms are near the end of each one. As a reminder, all WI 4-H policies, dog policies, and vaccination requirements are followed at this show: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/.../4-h-project-and.../
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Visit Dog Project Page below for Dog Quiz Bowl Packet
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State 4-H Dog Meeting and Education Day Information - October 24th
Two dates are set for the State 4-H Dog Association Education Days and Meeting. The first portion of the day will be an educational training opportunity, and it will be followed by a State 4-H Dog Association Meeting. Both events will be held at Barks Academy in Wausau. The October 24th date will focus on rally and obedience. More information about the days and how to register will be coming from the State Dog Association soon.
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4-H Horse Project Members, mark your calendars for these upcoming events brought to you by the WI 4-H Horse Association.
State 4-H Hunt and Dressage Show: June 26, 27, & 28, 2026
State 4-H Gymkhana Show: September 12, 2026
State 4-H Horse Expo Show: September 18, 19, & 20, 2026
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Online registration for WI 4-H Horse State Gymkhana Show and the WI 4-H State Horse Expo Show- NOW OPEN |
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Registration is open for the WI 4-H Gymkhana Show and WI 4-H Expo Horse Show
39th WI 4-H Gymkhana Horse Show - September 12, 2026, WI State Fair Park, West Allis, WI
61st WI State 4-H Horse Expo - September 18-20, 2026
WI State Fair Park, West Allis, WI
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If you have questions about registrations and payments, please connect with Laura Hrabik at wi4hhorse.execsec@gmail.com
If you have questions about the shows:
Gymkhana Show Chair: Deena Vinger (608) 574-5453 or members of the WI 4-H Horse Association Executive Board
Expo Show Chairs: Katie Stumph (715) 520-3013 or Jenny Arnes (715) 939-2078 or members of the WI 4-H Horse Association Executive Board
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You can help promote Wisconsin 4-H when you buy your Shop 4-H gear!
When you use our affiliate link, you’re supporting Wisconsin 4-H programs and the youth they serve by helping create more opportunities for 4-H’ers across the state!
You’ll also find a featured Wisconsin 4-H page under the “Other” tab on the Shop 4-H home page, highlighting selected curriculum resources along with Wisconsin specific clothing and items .
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Science In the Seasons
We will share a monthly opportunity to learn together at home. These lessons are designed for youth ages K-2nd grade (Cloverbuds) and their families. Enjoy this fun winter lesson when you can. These lessons are designed to be short on supplies but long on fun!
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Oconto County 4-H Program Highlights |
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Leaders Association Meeting Recap |
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The Oconto County 4-H Leaders Association met August 2 to share program updates, plan upcoming activities, and prepare for the county fair.
There was a recap on previous months educational opportunities.
What’s Coming Up:
Food & Fun Day Camp: August 11–13 at Oconto Falls Town Middle School
Back to School Day Camp for Military Families: August 22
Art Camp: October 3–4 in Wisconsin Dells. Registration closes August 15.
Civic Leadership: November 13–15 in Wisconsin Dells for ages 14–18
Fall Forum: November 6–8 in Stevens Point
Noah’s Ark: August 6, with 48 currently registered
Library Lock-In: August 6–7 in Shawano
County Fair Updates
Fair preparations are underway! A few reminders include:
Exhibitor meals provided by OEC, Friday 8/28 @5:30- with clubs encouraged to prepare thank-you cards.
Poultry testing is August 8 in Gillett.
Special Drive Swine Show participants will be selected by August 4.
Kiddie Showmanship registration closes August 10.
Scholarship deadlines are August 28 for Peshtigo National Bank and September 30 for United Coop.
REMINDER- Gillett Railroad-no parking
Volunteer sign-up will go live 8/3, with opportunities including parking and shorter shifts
Foodstand
The Leaders Association also discussed foodstand flooring and updating the foodstand sign to better reflect the programs and activities supported by 4-H. Price changes were also discussed. A $250 Fleet Farm donation was also noted.
Achievement Night
Achievement Night is planned for November 14 at St. Anne’s in Lena. .
Aimee's info:
There will be new annual paperwork
Teen Court: 21 kids enrolled with representation from all OC school districts.
Next Leaders Association Meeting: September 27 at 6:00 p.m. at Oconto Falls Town Hall.
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Reminder- Food Stand Schedule |
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Oconto County 4-H Takes on Noah’s Ark! |
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What a GREAT day we had at Noah’s Ark Waterpark! Our Oconto County 4-H youth, families, and some friends, had an awesome time making memories, enjoying the water, laughing, and representing 4-H so well throughout the day.
It was truly a great day filled with fun, friendship, and 4-H memories!
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Making a splash with hands-on learning! |
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Oconto County 4-H youth recently partnered with Oconto County Land Conservation for an exciting visit to the Frog Pond Rd. Pond Scrape Habitat, and what an adventure it was!
Take a look at some of the highlights from our day below, we promise the smiles were as big as the splashes!
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Restorative Justice Summit |
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Learning, Connecting, and Bringing Back Big Ideas!
This week, one of our Oconto County Teen Court panelists and I had the opportunity to attend the Restorative Justice Summit at Madison Area Technical College, and what an incredible experience it was!
What is Teen Court?
Teen Court is a youth-led restorative justice program where trained high school students serve as panelists, helping their peers take accountability, repair harm, and move forward in positive ways. It’s a unique opportunity for youth to develop leadership, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while making a meaningful difference in their community.
Are you a high school student looking for a way to build leadership skills, earn volunteer hours, and be part of something impactful? We are always looking for dedicated Teen Court panelists to join our incredible team!
Interested in learning more? Reach out to me, aimee.elkins@wisc. edu I would love to talk with you about this opportunity!
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Oconto County Club Submissions Wanted!
Did you want to share about a successful 4-H event that you just hosted?
Do you have an upcoming 4-H event that you want to promote? Do you have a fun experience or 4-H story to share? Send your news, notes, reports, and articles to us along with a photo, and we’ll include in the next issue. Email Sarah.Schindel@wisc.edu to share!
Deadline: All contributions are due by the 5th of the month to make it into that months newsletter! Feel free to send information from the previous month or months!
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Wisconsin 4-H operates within the guidelines, policies, and procedures of the University of Madison Division of Extension and the United States Department of Agriculture. These policies are established to ensure the educational and administrative integrity of all Wisconsin 4-H programs and activities administered by 4-H staff and 4-H volunteers. Wisconsin 4-H Leadership is committed to supporting staff and volunteers by writing clear and simple policies that will standardize Wisconsin 4-H safety and risk management practices.
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| Something to share? We want to hear from you!
Developing a system for communication/documentation is critical to the health and well-being of any organization. In order to provide a systemized approach to communication/documentation in the Wisconsin 4-H program, the Care to Share form was developed as a simple tool that could be used by members, volunteers, parents and the general public. Find it at: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/contact-us/care-to-share/
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Contact Us:
Aimee Elkins
Oconto County 4-H Program Educator/Teen Court Coordinator
email: aimee.elkins@wisc.edu
Work Cell: 920-857-5019
“The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.”
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301 Washington St | Oconto, WI 54153 US
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