September 24, 2025
Marie's Message
|
Welcome! We’re glad you’re here.
When you join 4-H, you’re a part of something big! 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, with more than six million members and over 90,000 clubs. The four H’s are head, heart, hands, and health. That means we are committed to providing opportunities for youth to learn life skills like decision-making, problem solving, caring for others, generosity, making healthy choices, and more. 4-H involves youth in project-based education. Through project learning, youth can explore their interests (“sparks”) and master new skills. 4-H projects are meant to be hands on to create a memorable learning experience. Since 4-H started in the early 1900s, youth have learned by doing. This hands-on process allows youth to understand not only how to do something but also why they are doing it. Most 4-H youth and the adults who care about them get their start with a 4-H club. Clubs can meet in a variety of settings so we can support youth where they are in the community, in schools, after school, and in military settings. 4-H youth can take part in camps, educational travel experiences, workshops, and much more, as they explore their sparks.
In all of these settings, youth have the chance to become leaders. Youth make decisions. Youth can make their voices heard. The most important part of 4-H is YOUth.
It is enrollment season, it is great to see we already have 57 youth and 34 adults for the new year, with several volunteers waiting for approval after training and background checks. Remind your club members to get their enrollment in by November 1. Officer training is coming up and youth need to register in 4-H online. See graphic in the Focus for details.
NEW THIS YEAR for Volunteers: All returning Wisconsin 4-H volunteers are required to re-enroll annually between September 1 and November 1. All required trainings and background checks must be completed by December 1. IMPORTANT: A submitted application/enrollment form does not mean that an individual is an approved volunteer. Adults who are not approved 4-H volunteers cannot be in custodial care of youth.
I am offering Drop in Enrollment Assistance on Thursday, September 25 from 2-7 pm. Please email me if you are planning to stop by so I can have computers set up or plan a group class for your enrollment.
Have questions about all that 4-H has to offer or need more information about enrollment? Contact our office with questions at 920-386-3790 or email marie.witzel@wisc.edu.
Have a great week,
Marie
Marie Witzel
Positive Youth Development Educator
UW Extension - Dodge County
920-386-3790
marie.witzel@wisc.edu
|
|
|
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.
With all of the changes in the Extension Office, Please send any 4-H or youth development related emails to marie.witzel@wisc.edu
|
|
|
🌟 A New 4-H Year is HERE! 🌟
Youth can continue to enroll and join their projects! Remember you need to enroll in any project you want to do for the 2025-26 year.
✅ New Volunteer Training Process:
This year, when you log in to re-enroll, you'll be able to complete your 2025-26 Volunteer Training right in your 4-H Online profile — no extra links or websites needed!
🔍 Background Checks:
Background checks are required every two years. If you're due, 4-H Online will prompt you to start the process when you re-enroll. After you submit your enrollment, keep an eye on your inbox for an email from HireRight to complete your background check. (Be sure to check your spam folder.)
📅 Important Deadlines:
According to our updated Wisconsin 4-H volunteer re-enrollment policy:
Enrollment is due by November 1
Complete your training and background check (if needed) by December 1
These steps are required for you to be an approved volunteer. If they're not completed on time, you will not be allowed to lead programming with 4-H youth until everything is up to date.
We truly appreciate your commitment to creating safe, positive spaces for our youth. Getting your re-enrollment done early helps make sure all our programs are supported by approved, ready-to-go volunteers like you!
|
|
|
Sometimes the online forms can feel a little tricky, but don’t worry—you don’t have to go it alone. Stop by for drop-in support on Thursday, September 25th, anytime between 2:00–7:00 PM. Please give a call or send an email if you are interested.
Bring your questions and use one of our laptops with Marie right there to help. Whether you just need a quick pointer or a little extra guidance, we’ll make sure you leave feeling confident and ready to go!
|
Wisconsin 4-H offers a wide variety of statewide educational experiences designed to help youth explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and engage in hands-on learning.
|
Join us to “pledge our hands to larger service” in this year’s Statewide Service Project for National 4-H Week! Clubs are encouraged to participate in a community service project during (or around) National 4-H Week – October 5-11. Let’s make a big impact on our local communities and live the 4-H Pledge!
|
Event Registration is Open in 4-H Online |
🌟 A space for military youth! If you have a parent or guardian currently deployed, the new 4-H Military Club is just for you. It’s a place to connect with others who understand, make new friends, and have fun with hands-on activities you help choose!
🤝 Whether you're building, creating, or just hanging out, this club is all about connection and shared experiences. Join us for our first meeting on Saturday, October 25th at the STEM Innovation Center in Green Bay!
📲 Enrollment is open now — If you’re interested in enrolling or if you have any questions, please reach out to Carlea at carlea.liermann@wisc.edu or Jon Hill at jon.hill@wisc.edu.
|
It's that time, Wisconsin 4-H!🍦🍀
Cedar Crest Ice Cream and the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation have teamed up once again to present the “Cedar Crest Ice Cream 4-H Flavor Creation Contest” for Wisconsin 4-H clubs. All Wisconsin 4-H clubs are eligible to submit their ideas for a new ice cream flavor, along with a flavor description and interesting flavor name. Entries are being accepted now through November 15!
For contest information, rules and the entry form, please click the button below:
|
Ebert's Greenhouse Field Trips |
Fall is in the air, and we are so excited to offer a unique field trip experience again! Seeing your smiling faces brings smiles to our faces as we hear the laughter and see the little feet and hands explore the fall outdoors at Ebert’s Greenhouse Village. We are pleased to offer field trips for $9 per student and $6 per chaperone. Classroom teachers are free. The fee includes a hayride, a small pumpkin for students, a craft project, a story, and full access to our play areas. Although many ages enjoy the program and activities, it is especially geared toward pre-kindergarten to 3rd
grade. To book your field trip please call (920)261-5645 .
|
|
|
SEPTEMBER
25 - Drop In Enrollment Support 2 PM to 7 PM
29 - Meat Animal Sale Post Sale Meeting 7 PM
OCTOBER
20 - Officer Training Night 6 PM
21 - 4-H Leaders Executive Board Meeting
|
In Case You Missed It . . . |
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
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
127 E. Oak St. None | Juneau, WI 53039 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|
