Greetings Oconto County 4-H Families,

As winter begins to fade and we start to feel the first hints of spring, it’s a wonderful time to pause and reflect on all the incredible moments this season has brought. Winter is often a time for learning, growth, connection, and trying new things- and this year has been no exception. I am so grateful for the energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm shown by our youth, families, and volunteers throughout our winter programming. From hands-on learning experiences to leadership opportunities and community connections, it has truly been inspiring to watch young people step outside their comfort zones, build confidence, and discover new interests.

As we look ahead to spring, we also look ahead to new beginnings. Spring always brings a sense of renewal, fresh opportunities to grow, explore new projects, and welcome new friends into our programs. I am especially excited for the upcoming activities, outdoor learning opportunities, and continued chances for youth to lead, create, and shine in their own unique ways.

Thank you for being part of this amazing community of learners and supporters. I look forward to all the learning, laughter, and growth that the coming season will bring!

Aimee Elkins

Oconto County 4-H Youth Development Educator/Teen Court Coordinator

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.

Adult Camp Staff Needed – 4-H Summer Camp🌲🔥

We are seeking caring, dependable adult camp staff to help make our 4-H summer camp a safe, fun, and memorable experience for youth this summer. Adult staff support counselors, supervise activities, provide mentorship, and help ensure campers’ well-being throughout the week.

Whether you enjoy working with youth, love the outdoors, or want to give back to 4-H, your time and skills are needed. Training and support provided.

👉 Interested? Contact Aimee Elkins at the UW–Madison Division of Extension office to learn more and get involved.

email: aimee.elkins@wisc.edu

Work Cell: 920-857-5019 

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!

 Teen Court Training Update

Youth panelists with Oconto County Teen Court will be gathering on Friday, March 6 for an in-person training at Coppertown Restaurant.

The evening will focus on reconnecting as a team, reviewing key parts of the Teen Court manual, and practicing realistic scenarios to build confidence and skills.

We’re excited to continue supporting youth leadership as they help rethink, restore, and repair in our community!

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 - March 7th and 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 March 7th meeting date will feature agility and 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.

Learn more about the contest and register here: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/.../wisconsin-4-h-2026.../

The Wisconsin 4-H 2026 Photography Contest is open for entries!

This state photo contest is open to youth 4-H members and will allow them to enter photos in a variety of categories and have their photos judged by a group of skilled photographers. Each entry will cost the member $3.00 to help cover the cost of printing, mounting, and displaying of the winning photos

Registrations are open for the WI State 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl and Skillathon Contest on March 21st at the UW Madison Campus. Registrations close March 9th. Looking for more information about the event, registration information, or rules? Find it at: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/.../livestock-quiz-bowl.../

Registration is open for the 4-H Horse Education Days Contests!

More information about each of the competitions, rules, and more can be found in chapter 5, Education Days of the 4-H Horse Handbook at:
https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/.../wisconsin-4-h-horse.../

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.

Save the Date for the Clover Connect idea sharing zooms this spring! Two engaging and interactive sessions will be held –

Hands to Larger Service: Community Service Ideas
Sunday, Feb 22 at 7 p.m. & Monday, Feb 23 at Noon (same content will be repeated)

Making 4-H Meetings Fun: Bringing Laughter and Learning to 4-H Meetings
Sunday, Mar 22 at 7 p.m. & Monday, Mar 23 at Noon (same content will be repeated)

Register for one or both topics by visiting https://go.wisc.edu/pbm474. Both sessions will be recorded, and resources will be shared with those who sign up!

Zoom connection information will be shared closer to each session date.

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!

Sixteen talented Oconto County 4-H young artists gathered for a special acrylic painting clinic to create stunning Northern Lights canvases—perfectly timed to be fair-ready masterpieces! Under the guidance of  the talented Oconto County 4-H Volunteer Instructor Kathie Beschta, participants learned step-by-step techniques to bring the night sky to life. Youth explored blending and layering acrylic paints to create depth and movement in the sky, practiced brush control for crisp tree silhouettes, and experimented with color mixing to achieve the glowing greens, blues, and purples of the aurora borealis. Along the way, they built confidence in canvas preparation, background techniques, and finishing details that truly make their artwork stand out on the fair exhibit table. 

A huge thank you to Kathie for sharing her time, talent, and encouragement. Thanks to her instruction, each young artist walked away not only with a beautiful Northern Lights canvas ready for the fair—but with new creative skills and the confidence to keep painting!

We can’t wait to see these works of art shining in the exhibit hall at the Oconto County Youth Fair this summer! ✨

This year’s Winter Leadership Camp was all about “Leveling Up Your Leadership!” Over three action-packed days,  52 youth stepped into new challenges, strengthened life skills, and discovered new ways to grow as leaders in their schools, clubs, and communities.

Campers worked together to conquer a high-energy Leadership Escape Room, putting their communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills to the test. Other sessions youth participated in included:

🩹 First Aid & Safety Basics – Building confidence to respond in real-life situations
🍳 Cooking & Nutrition – Learning practical kitchen skills and healthy habits
💵 Financial Literacy – Understanding budgeting, needs vs. wants, and smart money decisions
🤝 Teamwork & Inclusion – Practicing how to lead with empathy and create welcoming spaces
🌲 Outdoor Play & Connection – Strengthening relationships through active games and shared challenges

📞 Phone Communication Etiquette – Practicing professional and respectful conversations

✍️ Writing Thank You Notes – Learning the power of gratitude and thoughtful follow-up

Throughout the weekend, youth discovered that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room — it’s about listening, supporting others, taking initiative, and being willing to grow.

We are so proud of the way these young leaders showed up, encouraged one another, and truly leveled up their skills. The future is bright!

Northern Riders 4-H Club hosts County Wide Ice Skating Event 

Northern Riders hosted ice skating at the Crawford Center in Shawano on March 1st! We had a great turn out and kids had a great time.

Thank you for providing an awesome opportunity for fun Northern Riders!

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/ 

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.”