April 29, 2026

Marie's Message

Dear 4-H Families,

Research shows that youth who attend summer camp gain far more than just a week of fun—they build skills and relationships that have a lasting impact long after camp ends. 4-H summer camps are intentionally designed to support youth development through hands-on learning, supportive environments, and meaningful experiences.

At the heart of every 4-H camp experience are the Four Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development:

🌟Belonging
Campers experience a strong sense of belonging through positive relationships with camp staff, counselors, and peers. 4-H provides a safe, welcoming environment where youth are accepted for who they are and encouraged to grow, helping them ignite the spark within and reach their full potential.

🌟Independence
Whether attending a day camp or a residential camp, youth have opportunities to practice independence. Camp encourages young people to make decisions, try new things, and learn more about themselves—building confidence through experience.

🌟Mastery
From passing a swim test to learning a new skill or leading an activity, camp creates many moments of success. These “I can do this!” experiences help youth build resilience and self-confidence that carry into other areas of their lives.

🌟Generosity
Through teamwork, shared experiences, and intentional programming, campers learn the importance of generosity. They develop empathy, appreciate differences, and learn to value the contributions of others—key skills for lifelong citizenship.

Being away from home, making new friends, working as part of a team, and trying new things are all powerful building blocks for healthy youth development. 4-H summer camp provides youth with unforgettable memories, meaningful relationships, and skills that last a lifetime.

Adapted from Marcus Boston Jr., University of Florida Extension

🏕️Last week to register for Summer Camp!
Look for camp links in this week’s Focus for our own Dodge County 4-H Base Camp: Grades 3–7

👉🏻 Remember we still need one more adult male on the camp staff for all of the boys to attend

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I look forward to an exciting camping season!

Marie

Sincerely,
Marie Witzel
Positive Youth Development Educator
marie.witzel@wisc.edu
920-386-3790

If clubs or groups have items to share, send them by noon on Monday to be included in that week’s issue. Anything received after 12 p.m. Monday will be considered for the following week. 

Please send any 4-H or youth development related emails to marie.witzel@wisc.edu

Hannah Aalsma
Zoey Anderson
Claire Bingen
Brandon Boyd
Mckayla Conley
Olivia Downey
Owen Hemling
Isabelle Justmann
Brooke Keskimaki
Carmen Lake
Max Luedtke
Avery Panetti
Noah Roberts
Oscar Stowell
Wyatt Stowell
Tyler Zuern
Mary Zwald

Olivia Downey
Owen Hemling
Isabelle Justmann
Easton Keil
Carmen Lake
Noah Roberts

Mckayla Conley
Oscar Stowell

Mckayla Conley

Oscar Stowell

DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN BIRDS! Birds will be provided unless DATCP does not clear our county.

You CAN bring your own rabbits to practice showmanship, hopping, tattoos, or toenails!

The sign-up closes May 13th at 11:59pm. If you are unable to sign-up before it closes, please still show up! All are welcome!

Date: May 17th, 2026
Time: 9:00AM - 11:45PM
Where: Jefferson County Fair Park

Please fill out one form for each child attending.

The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences and the Dairy Innovation Hub are excited to announce the return of Badger Dairy Camp to the University of Wisconsin - Madison campus from July 9-12, 2026. The goal of this program is to educate youth about the breadth of areas that contribute to Wisconsin's dairy industry and the higher education and career opportunities available. The program includes hands-on workshops, tours, and recreational activities for youth ages 12-17 as of January 1, 2026. 

Registration is now open. The camp is limited to 100 campers, and applicants will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Click the button to learn more and to register. You can also contact Megan Lauber directly at (262) 902-3156 or badgerdairycamp@ansci@wisc.edu.

Our 46th Annual Dodge County Dairy Brunch it will be held at the Dodge County Fairgrounds outside of Beaver Dam on Sunday, June 7th, 2026 from 9am until 12:30pm. With it not being on a dairy farm this year, we are trying something new and looking for organizations, clubs, companies, individuals, etc to set-up booths at our brunch to educate the public about different areas and aspects of dairy farming, general Wisconsin agriculture, and information about things in Dodge County. A wide range of topics can be talked about from feeding cows, maple syrup, pigs, machinery, public health, and more. There is no charge to set-up a booth. We just ask that you bring all necessary equipment you may need (ie table, chairs, etc) for a 10x10 area. Booths will be located inside of the Youth Dairy Barn. There is plenty of room in the barn, so we are hoping to bring as many educational booths to the fairgrounds as we can. You are also free to promote your business, club, organization, etc at your booth as well. If you would like to have a booth, please fill the Google Form linked below with just some general contact information for us. If you have any questions, please let me know either via this email or give me a call at 262-224-2559. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Brenda Conley
Dodge County Dairy Promotion Committee

Camperships are available to help cover the cost of youth camp for families who may need financial assistance. These funds help ensure that all youth have the opportunity to experience camp—building confidence, making new friends, and learning through hands-on outdoor activities.

If camp costs are a barrier, we encourage families to apply for a campership and give their child the chance to enjoy a meaningful camp experience. 

Please sign up to help at the Cream Puffs & Carmel Apple Slices stand, the WWA Ice Cream Booth, Fish Pond, and 4-H Promotion Booth! 

Dodge County Farm Bureau/4-H Food Stand – 2026

 Dodge County Farm Bureau appreciates the partnership Farm Bureau and 4-H have had for many years with the Fair Food Stand. There have been some challenges with filling shifts for the past several years. Dodge County Farm Bureau has made some changes for 2026.

• Sign up for the Food Stand will be done through Dodge County Farm Bureau via Signup Genius. Information and the link will be provided for the Wednesday Focus on 4-H.
• 4-H Clubs will have first priority to sign up. Any shifts not filled by May 1 will be
opened up to other youth groups. 4-H can still sign up after May 1, but it is Farm
Bureau’s goal to have all shifts filled by June 15.
• Starting in 2026, 4-H Clubs will receive a donation of at least $200 per shift for
volunteering rather than the total amount going to the Dodge County 4-H Leader’s
Association. This amount will be reduced if the designated number of workers does not
show up or if workers leave early.

Dodge County Farm Bureau looks forward to continuing the long-established relationship with Dodge County 4-H in working together in the Dodge County Farm Bureau/Dodge County 4-H Food Stand at the Dodge County Fair.

Dairy grant program
The Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction Committee is offering $500 dairy grants to support active Dodge County dairy youth involved in 4-H, FFA, or junior breed associations. Grant funds may be used to purchase a dairy animal of any breed to expand a youth dairy project. Funding is provided through proceeds from the annual Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction. LINK TO 2026 GRANT APPLICATION

First dairy-judging practice
The first dairy-judging practice will be May 3, at 1 p.m., at the Watertown Library. Matthew Gunst and Scott Stanford are coaching. Stay tuned for more dates.

General questions? Contact DYAC via e-mail: dodgecountydyac@gmail.com.

MAY

19 - Leader's Executive Board Meeting 7pm

25 - Memorial Day Observed - Office Closed

PYD Media Collection Project Resources Follow the link to learn more about the collection and request materials.

4HOnline  Log in to your account at the Wisconsin 4-H Online Sign in page

Visit the Wisconsin 4-H Website

WI 4-H Policy Updates

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension
Dodge County 4-H
Extension Dodge County  127 E. Oak Street  Juneau, WI 53039-1329
tel: 920.386.3790    fax: 920.386.3928