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Note from our Office
Dear Calumet County 4‑H,
As we step into March, we can finally feel hints of Spring beginning to spark around us—longer days, melting snow, and the first signs of green returning to our fields and gardens. This time of year always brings a sense of renewal, growth, and fresh beginnings—perfectly aligned with the heart of 4‑H.
Just as Spring brings new life, our members are sparking new ideas, trying new projects, and preparing for an exciting season ahead. Whether it’s exploring a new skill, reconnecting with a favorite project, or getting ready for upcoming events and workshops, this is the time of year when curiosity and creativity truly come alive.
Let’s carry that Springtime energy forward as we continue igniting sparks of learning, leadership, and belonging across our clubs and our community.
Wishing you a bright and hopeful start to the season!
If you ever need help, ideas, or support, our office is here for you. I can be reached on my work cell at 920‑483‑0646 or by email at carlea.liermann@wisc.edu.
Sincerely,
Carlea Liermann
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| February 27-March 1 - Winter Leadership Camp - Spencer Lake Camp
Sunday, March 1 - Summer Base Camp & Outpost Registration Opens
Friday, March 6 - Day Camp Registration Opens
Saturday, March 7 - 5-6pm - Livestock Skillathon Team Practice at Courthouse, Rm 025
Tuesday, March 10 - 6-7pm - Extension Education Committee Meeting at Courthouse, Room 025
Wednesday, March 11 - 7pm - Leaders Council Exec Board Meeting at Courthouse, Rm 025
Thursday, March 12 - 6-7:30pm Communications Project Meeting at Courthouse, Rm 017
Sunday, March 15 - 5-6pm - Livestock Skillathon Team Practice at Courthouse, Rm 025
Tuesday, March 17 - 6:30pm Dog Project Meeting at Courthouse, Room 017
Wednesday, March 18 - 6-7:30pm - YQCA Meeting at Courthouse, Rooms 017 & 025
Thursday, March 19 - 6-7pm - Cloverbud Club at Courthouse, Room 017
Thursday, March 19 - 6-7pm - Explorers at Courthouse, Room 015
Saturday, March 21 - 9am-1pm - Easter Candy Food Workshop at Chilton HS
Saturday, March 21 - Livestock Skillathon & Quiz Bowl Competition
Monday, March 30 - 7-8pm - Poultry & Rabbit Project Meeting at Courthouse, Rms 017 & 025
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Calling all Future Secret Agents
Get ready to step into Spy Academy, a top‑secret, action‑packed day camp designed just for military‑connected youth!
- Crack codes
- Solve mysteries
- Master disguises
- Work as a team to complete high‑stakes missions
- Build confidence, sharpen your skills, and unleash your inner secret agent as you take on challenges that boost leadership, teamwork, and creativity
Mission accepted?
Adventure, undercover fun, and elite spy training awaits!
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Sign up for this year's Pinewood Derby!
We’re excited to invite youth, adults, and families of ALL ages to join us for this year’s annual Pinewood Derby!
Who can participate? Everyone!
4-H members: Derby kits are FREE
Non‑members (youth or adults): Kits are just $5
Younger siblings: We even have a Pre‑4-H class—perfect for kids who aren’t old enough to join 4-H yet!
Parents: Yep, you can build a car too! It’s a great family project to work on together.
Event Schedule:
Practice Run: Friday, April 10 @ Chilton High School Commons
Derby Race Day: Sunday, April 12 at 1:00 PM @ Chilton High School Commons
Reserve your derby kit here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdVaWexwEG.../viewform...
Come build, race, and have fun with us—this is a family event you won’t want to miss!
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Grades: 8th-11th
Location: UW-Madison
Dates: Sunday, June 14 through Thursday, June 18, 2026
Registration: will open March 6, 2026 via 4-H Online
Cost: Experience fee is $150
Summer Academy is the Positive Youth Development Institute’s signature career, leadership, & college readiness conference hosted at UW-Madison. The event focuses on preparing young people (grades 8-11) for higher education in a way that complements formal education prep programs. Summer Academy offers an immersive college experience; participants will experience life in a residence hall, explore campus, and enjoy the unique elements of higher ed that only Madison can offer.
This year’s theme is The Quest; Summer Academy participants will answer the call to adventure across the UW-Madison campus and explore their next steps in their career and college readiness journey! They will choose between exploratory tracks that introduce them to a variety of different Sparks and activities, core tracks that allow them to explore an area of interest in-depth, or an Advanced Art Track where youth will focus deeply on a specific area of arts.
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Now Accepting Applications!
Applications are officially being accepted for the 2026-2027 Youth in Governance Program cohort. Did you know you we have several committee options for youth with varying career aspirations?
Applications are available here: https://calumet.extension.wisc.edu/.../Youth-in...
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Join us for Hands-on Project Learning!
On Friday, April 3rd youth in grades 3-8 are invited to join us in taking the Hilbert Trolley to the Food & Farm Exploration Center located in Plover, WI. youth need to be at the Calumet County Courthouse by 8am, so we can leave on-time as our schedule starts at 10am at the center.
Here's a little bit about what we will be doing:
Schedule:
10:00-10:20 Welcome
10:25-11:25 Cooking with Commodities
11:25-11:50 Lunch
11:55-12:55 Science of the Senses
1:00-2:00 Open Exploration with scavenger hunt
Cooking with Commodities - A hands-on cooking class to explore the rich agricultural bounty of Wisconsin by focusing on key commodity crops. Learners will incorporate nutritious ingredients into delicious and wholesome dishes (recipes will vary by grade).
Science with the Senses - How we perceive flavors is rooted in survival. Humans are born to liking sweet tastes because sugar provides energy, a necessity for survival. Our senses have an impact on consumer preferences and the development of new food and beverage products. Students will explore the science of the senses in this stimulating lab!
There will be an elementary group and a middle school group, so youth will be in groups by their grades/ages. Cost is $12/youth, which includes a lunch and the cost of transportation.
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Join the Communications Project!
🚀 Want to boost your confidence, sharpen your communication skills, and level up as a leader?
Come hang out with us every 3rd Thursday from 6–7:30 PM at the Calumet County Courthouse! You’ll discover more about yourself, learn how to connect with others, and practice skills that will help you now and in the future.
✨ What’s in store?
Communication Skills – Crush that interview, build an awesome resume, write like a pro, try out graphic design basics, and even practice giving & receiving feedback.
Leadership 101 – What’s your “elevator pitch”? How do you ask questions that spark great conversations? Learn how YOU think and how others do too.
Speaking Contest Prep – This winter we’ll host special sessions to help you pick a topic, prepare, practice, and then rock the stage with your presentation!
👉 Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your skills, make new friends, and have fun while doing it!
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Dog Project News
This summer come and have fun with your dogs at the 4-H Dog Project trainings that will be held on Tuesday evenings. The trainings start at the end of May and conclude with our dog show for the Fair in August. We will be teaching our dogs basic obedience, rally and showmanship. Something new this year, we will be holding some carnival games to participate in with our dogs during trainings. Anyone interested in participating in the Dog Project trainings for this summer needs to attend one of the mandatory meetings. These meetings will be held on March 17th and Apri 21st at 6:30pm at the Calumet County Courthouse in Room 017. At this meeting, we will be going over our handbook and inform you of everything you need to know about the project and answer all your questions. You only need to attend one of these meetings.
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Step into the Livestock Reality Store
Date: Saturday, March 14
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center
Whether you’ve never shown an animal before or you’re a seasoned exhibitor, the Livestock Reality Store is for you! This interactive simulation gives you a real-world look at what it takes to raise and sell a show animal—from start to finish.
What to expect:
New to livestock? Learn the basics of daily care, costs, and record-keeping so you can start your first project with confidence.
Already experienced? Dive deeper into financial management and decision-making to make your next project more profitable and efficient.
Everyone walks away with practical skills to make your livestock project make dollars and sense!
This event is open to both members and non-members and counts as market animal education.
👉 Planning to attend? Please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/fwraGUp8U8rD8SAP8
Don’t miss this chance to experience the real-world side of livestock projects!
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