Next Meeting - January 14, 2025
We are still in search of a secretary and one member-at-large. Thank you to those who have volunteered already to be on the Executive Board.
Leaders Association Meetings are held at the Eau Claire County Extension Office the 2nd Tuesday of September, November, January, March, May, and June. 6:00 will be a time to hear policy updates, ask the 4-H Educator questions, and brainstorm club ideas. Meetings will start at 6:30pm. PLEASE make every effort to send a representative to these meetings. Attending is how we make connections and learn from each other to bring the best program we can to the young people in our clubs. It connects your local club program to the wider county program and makes you aware of the wider opportunities in 4-H so that you can promote those to your club members.
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Welcome Violet!
Eau Claire 4-H is happy to announce our 4-H AmeriCorps Member Program Assistant. Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps members are tasked with building new partnerships and recruiting volunteers so that we can reach new and different young people in 4-H programs.
Violet grew up in Eau Claire and attended Memorial High School. She was a Girl Scout and says that "camp is her jam." She is on the board of Our Nawakwa and on the family advisory board of the Family Resource Center. She has also been the family liaison for a refugee family settling in Eau Claire. She looks forward to finding partners to work with to reach new and different young people.
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Eau Claire County Banquet
All 4-H families are invited to the annual Eau Claire County Banquet. It will be held on Sunday, December 15, at the Pleasant Valley Community Center, S10414 Cty Rd HHI, Eleva, WI 54738
The Awards Ceremony will be at 3:30, with the dinner and a lot of fun to follow.
Those who RSVP by December 1 will be put into a gift card drawing. You can RSVP by using the QR code above or by clicking the button below.
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Adult Volunteer Awards
We have three awards that are given to adult volunteers and organizations each year at the Banquet.
The Partner in 4-H Award is for a person, business, or organization who supports 4-H but is OUTSIDE of the 4-H organization.
The Distinguished 4-H Leader Award is given to individuals who go above and beyond their contribution to Eau Claire County 4-H.
The Judy Preston Award gives us the opportunity to recognize a volunteer who has gone the extra mile with some fun and much deserved recognition.
Click the green button below for the webpage that has all three forms. (Scroll down a bit) You can choose the Word verison as well as PDF and Google versions.
All nomination forms are due to the Extension office by November 15.
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Tri-County Speaking and Demonstration Festival
Join us! The 2025 Tri-County Speaking and Demonstration Festival is a fantastic opportunity for 4-H youth to develop life skills, share their passions, and boost their confidence! Open to all members, including Cloverbuds, this event is set for January 23, 2025, at Elk Mound High School. Registration starts at 5:00 PM, with presentations beginning at 5:30 PM. Whether presenting solo or as a dynamic duo, participants will practice essential communication skills, inspire others, and have a chance to shine in a supportive environment.
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Welcome to Art U 2025!
Welcome to Art U 2025! This six week program is a partnership between 4-H and UW-Stout's art education department. Youth in grades k-12 will be led in virtual or in-person art lessons from UW-Stout Art Education students.
Youth participants in grades K-6 will have virtual instruction while youth participants in grades 7+ will be in-person at UW-Stout. The hour-long instructional sessions will be Monday nights at 6:30pm, February 2- March 3. We will conclude the series with an in-person celebration and art show at UW-Stout on Monday, March 10 at 6:30pm.
Anyone interested in Art U is welcome to participate. Already enrolled 4-H Members will be charged $5. Those not currently enrolled in 4-H will be charged $10. Art U will be a single project 4-H club. Participating in Art U will enroll you in 4-H and allow you to participate in other 4-H activities if you would like to do so.
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4-H January 2025 Calendar Raffle$10.00 Ticket with Cash Prizes from $50-$400
The 4-H Leaders Association is sponsoring a calendar raffle for January 2025. Proceeds support Eau Claire County 4-H Programs and Scholarships for Educational Experiences. Not only can you win by buying a ticket, but also by selling them! The 4-H member who sells the most raffle tickets wins $100. The second highest salesperson wins $50.
Contact Wendy Duerkop at 715-579-0006 to get more raffle tickets. Ticket stubs, money, and unsold tickets should be returned by December 20 or brought to the county banquet on the 15th.
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Apply to be a Camp Counselor
We want YOU to be a camp Counselor: (You are eligible once you have completed 9th grade.)
If you love camp, you should apply.
If you want to become a better leader, you should apply.
If you want to become a better team member, you should apply.
Applications Due Jan 5 (midnight)
Camp Dates: June 9-12 (Outpost & Base Camp)
NEW COUNSELORS, E-mail (to your 4-H Educator) a short letter of support from a reference who can tell us about how you have worked or would work with youth. This person should not be a parent (It could be a youth group leader, teacher, club leader, or leader in a religious organization). In the letter, please have them address the following: Leadership experience, experience working with youth, & how you handle responsibility.
RETURNING COUNSELORS--Resume & Cover Letter optional, but suggested. Please e-mail them to your County Educator.
Camp counselors MUST participate in camp counselor training. We will have a few zoom check ins plus in-person trainings/retreat on February 8-9, May 4 & June 8. (Counselor retreats will be at no cost to you.)
New applicants will be interviewed via zoom in January.
Returning counselors will attend a group zoom meeting.
For more information, visit 2025 Clark, Dunn & Eau Claire Camps Information or contact the Dunn, Clark, or Eau Claire County Educator.
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National 4-H Week Lawn or Window Display Contest Winners
Thank you to all those who entered a lawn or window sign in our National 4-H Week Lawn or Window display contest! And a big thank you to all who voted!
First prize of $50 goes to the Pleasant Hill Go Getters and the Schwartz family for their display in the front window of That's Adorable.
Second prize of $25 goes to the Eau Claire Clovers and the Dovre family for their display on Mohold Dr.
Third prize of $15 goes to the Eau Claire Clovers and the Munion family for their display on 9 Mile Creek Rd.
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Livestock Project Meetings
If you intend on selling an animal in the aucton at the Eau Clare County Fair, you need to participate in the Livestock Project Meetings. The next meeting is Thursday, November 21 at the Pleasant Valley Community Center in Cleghorn (S10414 County Hh/I, Eleva, WI 54738).
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Barb Medford Memorial Poultry Fund 2025
The Barb Medford Memorial Poultry Fund was established to provide financial support to both new and existing members of the Eau Claire County 4-H Poultry Project. The goal of the fund is to reduce the financial burden of raising poultry to help ensure 4-H members are able to experience all the joy these birds provide.
Click the green button below for the application. Applications are due January 1, 2025!
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The 2024 Eau Claire County Plat Books
Have Arrived!!
The Eau Claire County Plat books are here! Tell all your friends and family that they can purchsed them at the Extension Offfice for $40. We accept check or cash.. Checks should be made payable to the Eau Claire County 4-H Leaders Association.
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4-H Thriving Survey Is Open
Until the End of November!
All youth ages 13-19 are encouraged to answer the 4-H Thriving Survey. Each youth in that age group will have a unique link e-mailed to the family e-mail in 4-H Online on Nov 1. You should have received an email from Josset Gauley. We want as many young people as possible to answer the survey so we can tell the best story. If you answer the survey, you'll be entered into a drawing for $25 Amazon gift cards at the state level. Last year, Eau Claire had the best response rate out of all 72 counties. Let's do it again! Please let Rachel know if you have any questions regarding the survey.
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WI 4-H Foundation Photography Contest
The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation has kicked off a contest that challenges all 4-H members to explore their creativity.
The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Celebrates the Arts Photography Contest is open to any current Wisconsin 4-H member, and the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation is awarding cash prizes. The contest will be held virtually, with photos of all entries submitted electronically. Entries are being accepted now through January 31, 2025.
The contest is broken into three categories:
1. General Photography
2. 4-H Experience Photography
3. Clovers on Film
A winner will be chosen in each category with a Best of Show award given to one entry chosen by the judging committee. Category winners will receive a $50 cash award. The Best of Show entry will receive an additional $100 cash award. Other photographs may be recognized but will not receive a cash award.
To be eligible for the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Photography Contest, youth must be a 4-H member enrolled in 4H Online for the 2024-2025 4-H Program Year. Entrants do not need to be enrolled in any specific project to participate.
For all the information (and there is a lot!) click the button below.
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2024-25 Wisconsin 4-H Program &
Educational Experiences Booklet
The state 4-H office has just released the coming year's Educational Experiences booklet. 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.
Please know that our county Leaders Association offers scholarships to help your family afford the cost of participation in these opportunities. To participate, you need to complete a record book and participate in the interview process. If you didn't turn in your record book in September, there is another opportunity in January.
Please contact Rachel in the Extension Office with questions about the experiences or how to pay for them.
Check it out below!
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| Click on the image above to read the Tracks Newsletter.
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