Dear 4-H Families:

As we are encouraging families to Enroll in 4-H I thought I would share a couple of reminders:

For Members:

The 4-H program in Dodge County does have a rule about 3rd grade membership. It states: 3rd graders must enroll in the EXPLORING project and can add one additional project of choice. Exploring members enrolling in the Beef project are only eligible for the BEEF FEEDER Class at the Dodge County Junior Fair.

For Leaders: There are a few online training sessions to complete before UW Madison will let us approve your enrollment. Supporting You, Supporting Youth is a 15 minute training that needs to be done annually. Building Safe Spaces is a 20-25 minutes refresher that is done every 2 years. Training modules can be found at https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/resources/volunteer-resources/training-for-volunteers/

A background check is done every 2 years. The email comes from HireRight. It is a secure site managed outside of UW Madison. Watch for the email or check your spam or junk email.

We would like all youth and adults to get their re-enrollment in by November. After that time we will only be sending the Friday Focus to the enrolled members and leaders. If you are wondering why you are getting 2 now it is because we are in transition with new and past families in 4-H.

Congratulations to all of the Achievement winners both individuals and the clubs.  Also thank you to the Dodge County Farm Bureau,  Dodge County HCE and the Dodge County 4-H Leaders Association for sponsoring the awards

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.

Marie

Marie Witzel
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.

If you have Secretary's Minutes to share, please send them to the 4-H / Youth Program Assistant, Terra at: treider@wisc.edu by noon on Wednesday to be included in that week's issue. You can also contact the office with any questions. Thanks!

Trenton Highlights helped with the Fox Lake Spooktacular. The Mersch twins are pictured here working to help with Halloween crafts.

Astico Perseverance, DYAC, Herman Hornets, Mayville Lucky Clovers, Sinissippi, Watertown Badgers & Watertown Boosters

Thanks for all the entries for this year's pumpkins! Lucky entry #13 was the cow pumpkin. They won the 4-H Pumpkin Prize Pack. Check out all the fun creativity and artwork! Awesome job everyone!! Happy Halloween Fun this weekend!

As we welcome the colder weather and the start of a new 4-H year, we’re thrilled to announce that the Wisconsin 4-H Program Booklet for 2024-25 is now available!

This year’s booklet is full of exciting opportunities for 4-H families, members, and volunteers at the state level. These state programs offer valuable educational experiences that help youth develop lifelong skills and form lasting friendships. Whether your 4-H member is ready to create something amazing at Arts Camp in Upham Woods, embark on a thrilling adventure at Space Camp in Huntsville, or showcase their talents in a State Judging Competition, we’re confident there’s a spark waiting for every 4-H member in this year’s offerings.

If anyone is interested in being a presenter, please email treider@wisc.edu or click the button:

Please call the office to find out what is available and to arrange for pick up. 

$5, $10 and $20 Culver’s Gift Cards are available to purchase!  Makes great appreciation gifts for 4-H members during achievement time. Cards available at the UW-Extension office.  Call 920-386-3790 for higher quantities requested.

The New Year in 4-H is here! That also means it's time for Volunteers to complete required trainings! Let's dive in and get this done ASAP!

Join the Juneau Victorians 4-H club this Sunday, October 27th at 11:30am for a Costume Parade! Crafts, Treats, and Prizes!

At The Charleston House - Assisted Living & Memory Care, in  Beaver Dam, 104 Fakes Ct, Beaver Dam, WI 53916

The residents are looking forward to seeing all the great costumes to brighten their day.

11:30 AM - Make crafts to hand out to residents
12:00 PM - Costume Parade
(please no blood/gore/weapons/revealing costumes)

12:30 PM - Treats and Prizes

Any 4-H or youth club members and their families are welcome to participate.

Dairy Bowl

Dodge County Dairy Youth have started practice for dairy bowl/dairy quiz bowl season. The next practice will be Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, 1 p.m., at the Watertown Library. The final competition is during the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention, Dec. 27-29, 2024. Even if you're just interested in seeing what it's all about, join the group for a practice or two. Questions: Mandy Sell-Stanford is the lead contact; her number is 920.253.8773.

Junior Holstein Convention

As mentioned above, the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association Convention is the end of December. There are various opportunities for dairy kids to compete: dairy bowl, dairy Jeopardy, speaking contest, arts and craft contest, farm-scene contest, etc. See pages 6-11 in this document for details. Contact Mandy Sell-Stanford at the number above with questions about junior Holstein convention.

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

This fall, Wisconsin 4-H will be encouraging members (ages 13-18) to complete a survey about their 4-H experience. The survey was developed by National 4-H Leaders (https://helping-youth-thrive.extension.org/) and will help Wisconsin 4-H to learn about the quality of our programs. The information will help to show how 4-H helps young people to learn new things, develop leadership skills, manage goals, set high personal standards, create positive academic attitudes, and other skills that lead to long-term success in life.  

The survey will be sent to all Wisconsin 4-H members by e-mail in the first week of October. Youth who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 gift card! 

For more information on the 4-H Thriving Model, visit 4-H Thriving Model – Wisconsin 4-H.

Please keep an eye out for messages and more information about this important survey. 

Should we be leerie of the eerie? Or wary of the scary? Let’s find out together with some fall STEM fun!

Dane County youth in K-13th grade are invited to attend the 4-H Science Fright Night. Experience hands-on science involving weird sounds, eerie lights and creepy sights through fun and engaging activities. Youth will share insights at a series of Exploration Stations, connect with scientists, and engage in a presentations. Dress for the weather because some stations will be outside!

Age: K-13th grade – K-5 participants must have a parent/guardian/adult present during the event. Parents/guardians of youth in 6 grade+ are also welcome to stay during the event, but not required.

Please share…Friends welcome! Youth do not need to be in 4-H to attend the 4-H Science Fright-Night, but do need to register.

Join us for a relaxed and real book discussion on "The 5 Love Languages of Children." 
Two chances to join us for a virtual discussion!
Thursday, November 7– Noon-1pm
Wednesday, November 13– 6:00pm-7:00pm 
Free Book with registration!

Youth should create a google drive to put their cover letter and resume in so we can work on it during their session.  

Registration Deadline: November 8, 2024

The event/meeting will be a best fit for dog project adult volunteers and members in 6th grade and older. With that said, all dog project members are welcome, if these areas interest them. All youth members must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

OCTOBER

29 - 4-H Officer Training Night

NOVEMBER

19 - 4-H Leaders Association 7 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