April has a way of reminding us that change is constant. As the snow melts and the first signs of green begin to push through the soil, we are surrounded by quiet examples of resilience and renewal. Spring invites us to look ahead with a sense of possibility, to try something new, to reconnect, and to grow.

At the same time, this season has brought with it a deep and unexpected loss for our 4-H community. Our hearts are heavy as we grieve the passing of one of our young members. There are no easy words in moments like this, and no way to fully make sense of such loss. What we can do is hold space for one another, with kindness, with compassion, and with care. We are extending our deepest sympathies and are holding his family, friends, and all who knew him in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time as we all grieve and process this terrible loss.

In 4-H, we often talk about belonging, about creating a place where young people feel seen, valued, and supported. In times like these, that mission feels more important than ever. It is okay to not have the right words. It is okay to feel a mix of emotions. What matters most is that we show up for one another, check in, and remind those around us that they are not alone.

As we move forward into this season of growth, let it also be a time of reflection. A time to hold our loved ones a little closer, to listen a little more deeply, and to extend grace to ourselves and to others. Even in the midst of grief, there is still space for small moments of light, connection, and hope.

Thank you for being part of a community that cares so deeply.

Aimee Elkins

4-H Educator/Teen Court Coordinator

In Memory of Cameron “Cam” Wagner

April 28, 2012 – March 19, 2026

Our 4-H community is holding heavy hearts as we remember Cameron “Cam” Wagner, a young member who left us far too soon at the age of 13.

Cam was the kind of young person who made an impression the moment you met him. With his bright smile, playful spirit, and natural ability to connect with others, he had a way of making everyone feel seen, valued, and included. Whether you knew him for years or just shared a brief conversation, Cam had a gift for turning moments into meaningful connections.

A dedicated and active 4-H member, Cam especially loved spending time at the Oconto County Youth Fair, showing his cattle, camping with friends, and fully embracing the experiences that make 4-H so special. His passions reached far beyond the fairgrounds as well. From sports like football, wrestling, track and field, and trap shooting, to farming, working outdoors, and lending a helping hand wherever it was needed, Cam lived with energy, curiosity, and heart.

What stood out most about Cam was his willingness to serve others. Whether it was helping on farms, supporting neighbors, volunteering at church, or simply being a good friend, he showed us what it means to live out the 4-H pledge and to use our hands for larger service and our hearts for greater loyalty.

I will personally always remember Cam’s smile and sense of humor during our recent Herb Kohl learning journey trip to Washington, D.C. this past summer.  He brought laughter and light to the group, but also demonstrated a deep respect and maturity, especially as he participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. In that moment, and in so many others, Cam showed the kind of character and compassion that defined who he was.

Cam’s life reminds us of the importance of community, kindness, and cherishing the time we have with one another. His impact will continue to be felt through the friendships he built, the lives he touched, and the example he set.

We extend our deepest sympathies and caring thoughts to Cameron’s family, friends, club members, and all who knew and loved him. As a 4-H family, we stand together in support and remembrance.

Though his time with us was far too short, Cameron’s spirit will live on in the hearts of our 4-H community, and he will never be forgotten.

The deadline to enroll in Oconto County 4-H and have your 4-H projects selected in 4-H online in order to be eligible to show at the Oconto County Youth Fair is fast approaching. All projects must be in the 4Honline system by April 30th. 

The Oconto County Youth Fair Portal will open after this date for exhibitors to go in and complete their fair entries.  We will share that information when the fair enrollment system is accepting fair entries. 

Please reach out with any questions: aimee.elkins@wisc.edu 

Register at: https://tinyurl.com/MarOcoSha4H2026

The cost for each camper to attend camp is $150.00 but due to the generosity of the Oconto County 4-H Leaders Association, utilizing funds earned at the Oconto 4-H Fair Foodstand, 75% of each Oconto County 4-H Campers fee will be covered leaving your cost at $37.50 per camper to ejnoy this amazing opportunity!

Spots fill fast — don’t miss out on one of the best parts of summer!

Registration open NOW for 4-H members in Shawano, Oconto County 4-H, and Marinette County 4-H!

Details:

June 23-26, 2026

Camp Bird, Crivitz, WI

Grades 3–7

Registration open NOW for 4-H members in Shawano, Oconto County 4-H, and Marinette County 4-H!

MarOcoSha 4-H Summer Camp is Back for June 2026 - Welcome to the JUNGLE!

Get ready for four days of outdoor adventure fun and learning by doing at Camp Bird in Crivitz. Enjoy time with friends while experiencing campfires, canoeing, science, games, crafts, and good food in the beautiful north woods.

Oconto County Youth Fair Launches New Website! 

https://www.ocontocountyyouthfair.org/ 

The Annual Spring Horse meeting was held on April 12!  If you missed the meeting, please contact Kathie Beschta-  paintingsbykathie@gmail.com to get important horse project information! 

Scan QR Code or Click Link to purchase: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Oconto4HClubs

Deadline to purchase is May 27, at 7:00pm

Looking for more?  Officer Support Documents are Available!

Supporting youth leadership just got easier! Wisconsin 4-H has Club Officer Resources designed to help adult volunteers guide club officers with confidence and consistency. These resources provide clear role descriptions, meeting tips, leadership skill-building ideas, and age-appropriate support strategies—making it easier for youth officers to succeed in their roles while growing leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.

Whether you’re a new leader or a seasoned volunteer, these documents offer practical tools to strengthen club meetings and empower youth leaders across Wisconsin 4-H. Be sure to check them out and put them to work in your club this year!

Oconto County Teen Court relaunch finds its way to Statewide 4-H featured news! 

Read the article here! 

The latest version of the Institute Impact Report for 2025 is now available!

The important educational and outreach work that happens across the state in our local communities is important and how we communicate that to our audience is equally important. We've created this Report to serve as a tool to report on the combined impact of our local programs, share stories about the work you are doing, highlight programming in our Signature Priority Areas, and celebrate our achievements. 

You can view online or download a PDF by clicking the link to the right. 

Printed copies are being shared with Extension Leadership and will be shortly mailed to Area Extension Directors, State Program Managers and Specialists, as well as Regional Program Managers. 

PYD Institute County Educators will receive copies in the mail shortly to have on view in your local offices and share with your local stakeholders. If you need more copies, please request more through the state office, while supplies last. 

Look for yours to arrive in the mail soon!

Summer Academy is the Positive Youth Development Institute’s signature career, leadership, & college readiness conference hosted at UW-Madison. The event focuses on preparing young people (grades 8-11) for higher education in a way that complements formal education prep programs. Summer Academy offers an immersive college experience; participants will experience life in a residence hall, explore campus, and enjoy the unique elements of higher ed that only Madison can offer.

This year’s theme is The Quest; Summer Academy participants will answer the call to adventure across the UW-Madison campus and explore their next steps in their career and college readiness journey! They will choose between exploratory tracks that introduce them to a variety of different Sparks and activities, core tracks that allow them to explore an area of interest in-depth, or an Advanced Art Track where youth will focus deeply on a specific area of arts.

The registration fee covers all lodging, meals, track participation, and transportation. Statewide bussing to and from the event will be offered for an additional fee. For more information, please visit go.wisc.edu/4HSummerAcademy … We can’t wait to see you in Madison!

Link to State 4-H Obedience, Rally, and Showmanship Show 

September 26 & 27, 2026, Langlade County Fairgrounds, Antigo

*In addition to the dog competitions, for 2026 there will also be educational contests like speaking and poster contests held during this show.

Link to State 4-H Agility Show

October 10, 2026, Overdale Canine Sports, Spring Valley

Visit Dog Project Page below for Dog Quiz Bowl Packet 

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. 

The save the dates for WI 4-H Area Animal Science Day (AASD) were announced earlier this year and we wanted to make sure they made your calendar.

We are excited to have these contests and events on June 19th in Grant County and June 30th in Clark County. A huge shoutout to these counties for hosting.

Event Details:

Wausau: April 25, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Marathon County Extension Office, Wausau, WI

Milwaukee: May 16, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
TBD

Low-cost registration makes this opportunity accessible for all. Don’t miss your chance to gaze into the future of STEAM! $ 10.00 per youth participant.

Registeration now OPEN for STEAM GAZE! 

Wisconsin 4-H proudly presents STEAM GAZE, a dynamic, full-day experience designed for curious and creative youth in grades 3–5. This spring, dive into a world of discovery where art meets science through hands-on workshops led by passionate educators and mentors.

Whether your spark is chemistry, theater, visual arts, environmental science, music, or something in between, STEAM GAZE offers multiple interactive tracks to ignite imagination and innovation.

Older 4-H members and professional staff will guide and inspire participants throughout this exciting day of exploration and creativity. It is open to 4-H ers and non 4-Hers. 

Youth must attend with an adult (parent, club leader, teacher, Extension staff, etc.).

Adult attendance is free.

4-H Horse Project Members, mark your calendars for these upcoming events brought to you by the WI 4-H Horse Association.

4-H Horse Education Days:  May 2 & 3, 2026

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

Wisconsin 4-H is excited to offer two Wildlife & Woods virtual series in 2026 - Explorations and Careers & Competitions!

Wildlife & Woods Explorations are suggested for grades K-5 through elementary school youth and their families. The sessions will be interactive and will include wildlife, forestry, wildlife art and more. Register here: https://26wildlifeexplorations.4honline.com/

Wildlife & Woods Careers & Competitions Series are suggested for middle school through high school youth and their families. The sessions will be interactive and will include guest speakers talking about careers, information about wildlife and forestry competitions and resources available to learn more. Register here: https://26wildlifecareers.4honline.com/

You can also find the registration in your 4HOnline profile on the events tab.

Every purchase can make a difference

We’re excited to share that Wisconsin 4-H is now an official Shop 4-H affiliate! When you shop using our affiliate link, a portion of your purchase directly supports Wisconsin 4-H Positive Youth Development programs across the state.

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!

This past month, I had the incredible opportunity to co-lead Wisconsin’s delegation to 4-H Ignite and Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) in Washington, D.C.,  and what an unforgettable experience it was! Our trip coincided with peak cherry blossom season, which made touring the National Mall even more magical.

Highlights included:

Meeting with Senator Tammy Baldwin and getting a capitol tour and Senate gallery passes through Senator Ron Johnson’s office

Exploring D.C.’s rich history at the National Army Museum, Air and Space Museum, and night tours of the monuments

Connecting with 4-H youth from across the nation and sharing ideas about leadership, community service, and civic engagement

The experience was not only inspiring but also a powerful reminder of the impact young people can have when they engage with the government and their local communities.

For any high school 4-H members interested in leadership, travel, and civic engagement, this is an amazing opportunity to consider. Feel free to reach out with questions about the trip, the application process, or what it’s really like to experience CWF and Ignite firsthand! (pictures below)

We are excited to announce the hire of Stephanie Nault as the Area 8 Extension Director. 

She was born and raised in Peshtigo, WI where she resides with her husband and three children.  She grew up on her family farm, has a tight knit family, enjoys serving her church, coaching sports, and she loves outdoor activities with her family. 

She has 19 years of experience in state service, serving in progressive leadership and direct supervisory roles with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and University of Wisconsin Division of Extension in Marinette County.  She comes into this position with a strong background in building community and statewide collaborations across organizational structures, where she has worked to identify needs and expand impact.   

She cares deeply about our local communities, and is eager to leverage her skills to lead and support staff, while connecting with community partners to help drive change. 

Welcome, Stephanie!  

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! 

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.

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/ 

Behavior Concern Reports

This form is to be used to document behavior concerns of 4-H members or 4-H volunteers participating in 4-H programs, projects or activities. 

Read more about it and locate the form here: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/4h-resources/4-h-behavior-concerns-report-bcr/ 

With Gratitude to Our Oconto County 4-H Volunteers

There are no words quite big enough to fully capture the impact of our Oconto County 4-H volunteers—but “thank you” is a meaningful place to start.

Because of you, young people in our communities are learning confidence, leadership, resilience, and compassion. You show up with patience, encouragement, and a belief in youth that helps them see their own potential. Whether you’re leading a project, organizing an event, mentoring a member, or quietly supporting behind the scenes, your time and care do not go unnoticed.

4-H is more than meetings and projects—it’s a place where lifelong skills are built and lasting connections are formed. That only happens because of dedicated volunteers like you who give so generously of your energy, knowledge, and heart.

You are shaping futures, strengthening families, and building a stronger Oconto County, one young person at a time.

Thank you for the difference you make every single day. 💚

Join us in recognizing the impact of our Oconto County 4-H Volunteers by reaching out to thank them during National Volunteer Week April 19th-25th. 

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.”