February 2025

(published February 11, 2025)

All 4-H Club and Countywide Project Leaders, 4-H Event/Activity Chairpersons or Organizers: Contribute to the articles posted monthly by completing a short form and uploading your article or photos using link: https://forms.gle/xwa8JP9c49qDMAHq5

NOTE: Articles for the current monthly newsletter, must be submitting by 2 pm. on the Monday before. Newsletter is published on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Any photos submitted with youth, must be identified for photo release.

Hello 4-H Friends!

As we dance our way through February, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the incredible leaders, volunteers, and youth that make this program so wonderful. From my conversations with youth and your incredible ideas for our county 4-H program to attending various club and project meetings and activities, it has been a joy connecting with so many of you!

Through this edition of the Harbinger, you’ll find updates on upcoming events, new opportunities, and some exciting changes to look forward to as we continue to grow and learn together. 

A big shout out to youth and adults who are interested in participating as Summer Camp Staff: I’d love to talk with anyone who is interested in applying and may have questions. It’s going to be an incredible experience, but we need your support to get there!

Thank you for helping “To Make the Best Better!”

- Thanks, Abi, 4-H Educator - Ozaukee County 4-H 

Be a Leader - Be an Adventurer!

Don't miss the 2025 Ozaukee County 4-H Camp at Upham Woods, July 7-9, 2025. This year, older youth take center stage in new leadership roles - planning activities, leading adventures, and inspiring younger campers. It's three days of fun, exploration, and real-world skill-building, all set in the scenic Wisconsin Dells. Camp staff applications are now open through February 28th, so apply today!

Youth camp staff opportunities available for 4-H youth in grades 8 and up. Adult volunteers are needed too! Come, join the fun!

For more information and application links, please visit https://ozaukee.extension.wisc.edu/4-h-youth-development/camp/ or contact Abi Quinlan, 4-H Educator Ozaukee County at abi.quinlan@wisc.edu or 414-335-6008.

As we embrace the new year, a few reminders to share to work with the Extension office. 

Please call in advance to arrange an appointment before stopping in the office. This helps current staff know ahead of time to ensure your visit is as efficient and effective as possible. It also allows staff to gather materials or ensure materials/supplies/staff are available for you. 

There are two drop boxes available for your use:

1- Extension drop box, located on the wall adjacent to the office entry door. This secure drop box can accept up to 10’x12”envelope items during building hours. Items are retrieved 3x each week.

2- Building drop box located at the main north entrance of the building. This free-standing secure drop box is for the entire building; if leaving items in the the drop box, clearly indicate on the envelope that it is for Extension Ozaukee County. Items left in this drop box are retrieved by building mail personnel and processed for each department each business day.

All 4-H Families and Friends are invited to the annual 4-H Dance on Saturday, February 15th! Kick up your heels from 6:00-10:00 pm at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds Pavilion. This event is free and open to the public. Concession stand for tasty treats too!

- Submitted by Dorothy Parchim, 4-H Dance Volunteer Coordinator

SAVE THE DATES FOR THE 2025 PINEWOOD DERBY

Build Day: Saturday, March 8th from 10:00 am - 12:00 Noon

Physics Day: Saturday, March 15th from 10:00 am - 12:00 Noon (Flyer link)

Race Day: Sunday, March 16th 12:00-3:00 pm

Attention race fans, it's time for the annual Pinewood Derby!

Both car kits and registration forms are available at the Extension office with a cut-off sales date of March 7th. No car kits will be sold on Physics Day or Race Day. All registrations must be received by Physics Day. Please call the Extension office at 262-284-8288 to make an appointment to pick up a car kit. Cash or check (made out to Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association) accepted. Car kits are $5 each.

Registration/Rules/Regulations form is available on the Forms page of the website.

Did you know about the NO RULES adult class? Adults, this is your chance to build a car and join the fun!

Volunteers needed! Please consider helping at any of the Pinewood Derby events:

Physics Day Signup Genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040448ACA722A31-pinewood2

Pinewood Derby Race Day link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040448ACA722A31-pinewood3

Contact Sue Dowe at sadowe1966@gmail.com for questions or more information.

- Submitted by Sue Dowe, 4-H Pinewood Derby Volunteer Coordinator

The Ozaukee County 4-H Bee Project would like to invite 4-H youth to attend our upcoming meeting on March 11th at 6:30 pm. at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds, Pavilion North.

We are working on a group project that use your help! This project will hopefully be exhibited at Fair. In addition, older project youth will present Bee Keeping 101.  We are open to having any youth attend, but please RSVP if you plan at attend so we can get the right amount of supplies for the hands-on project. 

RSVP to Bee Project Leader, Jeff Millard, by March 1 via email: jwmillarxx@mac.com

- Submitted by Jeff Millard, Bee Project Leader

Join Knellsville 4-H Club for a Roller Skating Party on Tuesday, March 11 from 6:00-8:00 pm. at the Ozaukee Skateland in Cedarburg. Cost is $8/person which includes skate rentals.

Questions? Contact Becky, Knellsville 4-H Club General Leader, at roden.becky@gmail.com 

We hope to see you there!

- Submitted by Becky Assmann, Knellsville 4-H Club General Leader

Soon Spring will be right around the corner and it'll be time for the “Jelly Bean Jamboree“ on April 5th! This event was formally known as Project Bunny and Bunny Breakfast. 

Jelly Bean Jamboree is sponsored by the Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association and is open to youth ages 10 and under. So invite your friends to attend!

Set up takes place on Friday April 4th, the event is on Saturday April 5 at Circle B Recreation.  It’s a great time for our amazing 4-H youth and adults to show off their talents and what 4-H is all about to our communities.  Please take the time to put this on your calendar and sign up to help. 

Please volunteer and sign-up today: Jelly Bean Jamboree Volunteer Sign-Up

- Submitted by Sue Karolczek, 4-H Jelly Bean Jamboree Volunteer Coordinator

2025 Area Animal Science Days (AASD) locations have been announced so save the dates!

Area Animal Science Days is a series of day-long events held around the state in June where youth in the beef, dairy, horse, sheep, and swine projects increase their decision-making skills and knowledge of animals through judging and grading experiences.  

Pierce County will host AASD on June 13, 2025.

Calumet County will host AASD on June 30, 2025.

More information and registration details will be posted on the Area Animal Science Days website when released!

Save the Dates for Ozaukee County 4-H Summer Camp; it's never too early to think about summer!

July 7-9, 2025 at Camp Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center in Wisconsin Dells.

Ozaukee County 4-H Base Camp, held at Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center, offers youth in grades 3-6 an immersive summer camp experience. Campers engage in a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, archery, nature exploration, swimming, and group games; all designed to foster learning, friendship and personal growth. The camp emphasizes a safe and inclusive environment, encouraging participants to develop new skills and make lasting connections.

Ozaukee County 4-H Adventure Camp, also known as Outpost, is designed for youth in grades 7-9 and offers an immersive outdoor experience at Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center. Campers engage in activities such as tent camping, team-building challenge courses, orienteering, and outdoor survival skills, all aimed at fostering leadership, confidence, and a deeper connection with nature. The program emphasizes safety and encourages participants to develop new skills while building last friendships.

Mark your calendars now and watch the March Harbinger newsletter for information and registration details!

Reminders & Mark Your Calendars!

ArtBEAT! Registration Deadline: February 17th. 4-H members in grades 3-5, parents and leaders, are invited to ArtBEAT! This overnight experience allows participates to try difference types of art (visual arts, drama, music, STEM) led by adult volunteers. Check out ArtBEAT! website and register using 4HOnline.

4-H Project Leader Training, Fond du Lac County - February 22 from 12:30-2:30 pm. 4-H youth and adults interested in becoming project leaders OR are already project leaders, are invited to this training! The training will include hands-on activities and resources available for project leaders. Please register by February 19th using link: forms.gle/gGMzBFfVu5tX1S8cA

Adults must be approved volunteers to be actively leading projects or working with 4-H youth. If you are not a current approved volunteer this year, please complete your enrollment, screening or trainings NOW. Questions about your enrollment or status? Log into your 4HOnline account to check status OR call the Extension office at 262-284-8288.

Harbinger Newsletter Published Monthly. The 4-H Harbinger newsletter will be published monthly on the second Tuesday of each month. Please adjust your 4-H club, group, and project announcement schedules as needed. 

There are some significant changes in the 2025 4-H Youth Judging Schedule. All projects entered in Departments Y-10 Animal & Vet Science, Y-14 Plant & Soil Science, Y-15 Flowers & Houseplants and Y-16 Natural Sciences will be judged on Thursday, July 24, 2025. This is a change, as these projects are typically judged on the Friday before Fair. Please note this important change. This includes projects entered in Vet Science, Pet Project, Cavy Project, Self Determined Animal Sciences, Crops, Vegetables, Fruit, Herbs, Horticulture, Self Determined Plant & Soil Sciences, Houseplants, Flowers, Home Grounds, Astronomy, Fishing, Insects, Trees/Forestry, Wildflowers/Native Plants, Wildlife & Environmental Ecology, Recycling, Archery & All Shooting Sports, Adventures, Reptiles, Birds, Motor Adventures, Taxidermy, Weather, Science-Wisconsin Agriculture, Self Determined Environmental Education and Bees. 

Click here to view the 2025 Judging Schedules: https://www.ozaukeecountyfair.com/judging-schedule 

- Submitted by Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair Board Secretary

YQCA is excited to announce the 2025 Scholarship Program available to high school seniors and students enrolled in a 2-4 year university or certification program. In order to be considered for this scholarship, you must:

• Be a high school senior or a high school graduate up to 21 years of age

• Have an active YQCA certification at the time of application (2025).

• Have had active YQCA certification the previous two years (2023, 2024)

Applications close February 17th.

https://yqcaprogram.org/local/scholarship-program.php

Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications Now Open!

Attention all 4-H members: Scholarship applications for the Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation are now available. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to support your educational journey! 

Find more information on the Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation website: www.ozaukeecounty4hfoundation.com

Postmark deadline: March 1st

Start your application today and take the next step toward achieving your dreams: www.ozaukeecounty4hfoundation.com

- Submitted by Jaime Jacobson, Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation Coordinator

What an incredible day! Thanks to the amazing support for our 4-H community, we raised approximately $20,000 at this year's Bowl-a-Thon! A huge thank you to all the parents, youth bowlers, and everyone who pledged. We couldn't have done it without you!

A special shoutout to the youth who raised $25 or more - your name is entered into a raffle that will be drawn at the upcoming roller-skating party on March 11th! Plus, 14 youth who raised $125 or more in pledges will receive a custom sweatshirt! 

A special congratulations to our top fundraisers: Adelyn A. with $553 in pledges, who took home the crown for the most raised, with Jadyn A. just behind her with $502 in pledges—though we hear the bumpers might’ve given Adeline a bit of an edge! 

We’d also like to express our gratitude to the clubs who generously covered the $4 bowling fee and donated the fabulous raffle baskets. This year we had 61 raffle baskets and 24 lane sponsors—WOW! Thank you to the following sponsors for making the event a success.

A big thank you to Man Shed Brewing for donating all proceeds from the Root Beer Floats - what a delicious treat! They were a hit with everyone!

We can't wait to do it all again next year!

- Submitted by Jaime Jacobson, Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation Coordinator

Reminder that the online 4-H calendar is the best way to stay on top of the many countywide activities going on throughout the 4-H year. Bookmark it here!

Abi Quinlan, 4-H Educator

abi.quinlan@wisc.edu

Extension Ozaukee County

121 W. Main St.

Port Washington, WI 53074

262-284-8288

To help us serve you, please call for an appointment when coming to the Extension office.

An EEO/AA employer, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.