Dear 4-H Families,

National Volunteer Appreciation Week is 4/21-4/27. National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world. Each year, National Volunteer Appreciation Week shines a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve, recognizing and thanking volunteers who lend their time, talent, and voice to make a difference in their communities.

On behalf of Division of Extension Dodge County and Dodge County 4-H, I would like to take this time to say thank you to the over 100 volunteers in the Dodge County 4-H program. But 4-H is not only for youth, it’s for adults who, as volunteer leaders, can share their skills and expertise with young people. These adults are the positive role models for young people in their communities. The caring support of adult volunteers and mentors inspires young people in 4-H to work collaboratively, take the lead on their own projects and set and achieve goals with confidence. 4-H’ers chart their own course, explore important issues and define their place in the world.

It is through this network of volunteer leaders, state land-grant universities, state and local governments, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that 4-H has been able to stimulate youth to develop life skills.

In Dodge County, over 100 adult volunteer leaders work with 619 youth from kindergarten to one year beyond high school in 22 4-H clubs throughout the county. Programs are conducted in 3,100 counties nationwide. In addition, some 50 countries around the globe enroll a community of 7 million youth in programs similar to 4-H.

Thanks to all of you who volunteer your time to the youth of Dodge County!
Have a great week,

Marie
4-H Youth Development Educator
920-386-3790
marie.witzel@wisc.edu

If clubs or groups have items to share, send them by noon on Thursday to be included in that week’s issue.  Anything received after 12 p.m. Thursday will be considered for the following week. The articles should be sent to Marie at marie.witzel@wisc.edu. You can also contact the office with any questions. Thanks!

Hyland Prairie (Isabella Radichel) At Thursdays meeting the Hyland Prairie members made homemade dog toys out of old t-shirts and baked dog treats to donate to the Dodge County Humane Society for one of their community projects.

To celebrate the kids who received achievement honors, and to hand out awards that were obtained at the Tri- County Shoot we had an ice cream party [April 9th]!  We had 18 Air Rifle Achievers, and 45 Archery Achievers. All of the kids are encouraged to submit a fair project to help showcase what we do.

Forty one kids participated at the Tri-County shoot, as well as a handful of our volunteers helped to score at the event. Numerous team and individual ribbons were earned across all of our age groups. 

Thank you to the families, kids, and most of all our adult certified volunteers for a good winter season. Now its time to get planning for our summer session and hosting our very own Dodge County 4-H shooting Sports Invitational in July 🙂  See you all in warmer weather!!

Eva and Jessie Lynch

The tag pick-up day is being moved from April 20th to April 27th, from 9am to 12pm at the Administration Building Auditorium. All tags will need to be signed for by the person picking up the tags, and each exhibitor can have up to 5 tags per species. There is no need to call and register beforehand. The DNA envelopes will need to be returned to Extension Dodge County office by 4:30 PM on Friday, May 17th. These dates are subject to change depending on any further delay with tags. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Mike with the Meat Animal Sale Committee. 

Scholarship applications must be postmarked by May 2, 2024.

Sign up to spend time at Upham Woods canoeing, exploring Blackhawk Island, and making new friends. Registration will open on March 4th at 12pm!

Youth Camp

Who: Any youth entering 4th-8th grade for the 2024-2025 school year.

When: July 7-10, 2024

Registration Fee: $305.00

This year’s schedule will have some changes to make camp exciting for returning youth but many camp favorites like swimming and water carnival will remain the same!

Outpost Camp:

Who: Any youth entering 8th-10th grade for the 2024-2025 school year.

When: August 3-6, 2024

Registration Fee: $315.00

Outpost Camp is an exciting camp experience where youth with spend time canoeing and camping. The camp will start at Upham Woods as everyone learns the basics of camping and canoeing before heading out to paddle the Wisconsin River and spend the next few nights camping on Blackhawk Island.

Are you a youth who is interested in having a voice in shaping the child welfare and/or youth justice system?

Do you have personal experience (past or present) with the foster care or youth justice system?

Do you know a young person who has leadership potential?

Are you considering how to incorporate youth voice into your work?

If yes, please read more about the Department of Children and Families opportunities for youth to have a voice and make an impact.

For this essay, a 4-H student should answer these questions: What makes a varietal honey?   What are some unique varietals? How are some of the valuable varietals confirmed to be authentic (e.g., Manuka honey UMF and MGO)? What are some culturally or economically important varietals and why are they important?

Eligibility: The 2024 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition is open to active 4-H Club members only.

Any 4-H Club member who placed first, second or third in previous years of the national competition is NOT eligible to win in 2024; however, state competition winners remain eligible to enter the national competition. Essays entered must encompass the designated topic only. There will be no exceptions.

The deadline for national submission is May 1, 2024.
National winners will be announced: June 15, 2024

Calling all youth photographers! The “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” Photo Contest is all about showcasing a photo that is special to you! Submissions due May 1.

Registration is open for the 2024 Tri-County 4-H Camp

4-H Summer Camp June 12-15, 2024
Located at Camp Lakotah in Waushara County

Registration after April 1st $225 per camper
No registrations will be accepted past April 19th.

There are 2 camp experiences offered this year:
Base Camp: 4-H members and guests in 3rd-6th grades from Columbia, Dodge & Sauk Counties.
Outpost Camp: 4-H members and guests in 7th & 8th grades from Columbia, Dodge & Sauk Counties.

Thanks,

Marie

The purpose of the Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction Dairy Grant Program is to support active Dodge County Dairy Youth (4-H, FFA, Junior Breed Associations) with a grant to expand their dairy project. The grant funds are to be utilized to purchase a dairy animal (any breed) to grow the youth’s dairy herd.

$500 grants will be available for the 2024 program. Grant money is made available through proceeds from the Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction, held each year at the Dodge County Fair.

Grant applications will be available anytime up until June 1, 2024. Grant recipients will be notified upon acceptance. 

If you are 18 years or older and interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer, we can help! We will provide new volunteers with training to ensure the safety of all youth and volunteers. The below linked trainings and a background check are required. Answers to questions about reporting and training are available on our FAQ page.

APRIL

20 - Livestock Tags and DNA Pickup Dodge County Administration Building 9am - noon

16 - Leaders Association - 7:00 pm

21-27 - National Volunteer Week

25 - ME Interviews - 6:30 pm 

MAY

10 - DNA Envelopes need to be returned to Extension Dodge county office by 4:30 PM

Visit the Wisconsin 4-H Website

WI 4-H Policy Updates

An EEO/AA employer, 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.

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