March 28, 2024

Happy March!

Please join us in welcoming Nicole Loeffler to Waukesha County 4-H. Nicole's role as the Associate 4-H Educator in Waukesha County will focus on providing educational project support to clubs and groups. More information will be coming from Nicole about educational activities and projects for clubs and groups in 4-H. We are excited to have Nicole with us in Waukesha County 4-H.

Don’t forget to share your club news or information with us so we can share it in the newsletter. The monthly newsletter will be sent out on the last Wednesday of each month. Our next newsletter will be on April 24, 2024.

James, Nicole, and McKenzie

"Hello everyone! My name is Nicole Loeffler and I am so excited to be joining UW-Extension as the Associated 4-H Educator! A little bit about me,  I was born and raised in Milwaukee and attended the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, graduating with a degree in Environmental Education and Interpretation. After graduating I returned home and worked with several nonprofits around Milwaukee doing conservation education, including the Urban Ecology Center, Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, and most recently the Zoological Society. I have a passion for educating and enriching the lives of the youth around me through meaningful experiences. I am excited to bring my passion to the Positive Youth Development Team, and also grow in this role! In my free time, you can find me spending time with friends and family, attending live music events, and enjoying festivals in the summer months. I can't wait to connect with you all!" - Nicole

Nicole Loeffler
Associate 4-H Educator
nicole.loeffler@wisc.edu

Club and project leaders: please regularly update the program calendar above with your events for family information.

Thank you to everyone who has registered and enrolled in the 2024 4-H Summer Camp. As of yesterday, all spots for camp have been filled and camp registration is officially closed. We currently have a waitlist, however this does not ensure that their will be an available spot at camp to fill. 

If a participant is unable to attend we will notify individuals on the waitlist in the order the registration was received. More information will be coming to camp participants.

If you have any questions contact James at james.boling@wisc.edu.

Volunteers who have not completed their volunteer training by April 1st at 4:00 pm will be removed from 4-H online. A final email was sent on March 27 informing individuals of their volunteer status with Waukesha County 4-H.  As we stated in the previous email, “You are not allowed to participate in 4-H programming and continuing to do so may affect the status of a club or group charter.” Complete the following steps to become an approved volunteer:

Step 1: Enroll in 4-H Online 

Step 2: Agree to the Division of Extension Volunteer Behavior Expectations.

Step 3: Complete Criminal Background Check (*Information will be sent via email to all new potential volunteers once a person has enrolled)

Step 4: Complete Volunteer Training Modules:

If you believe the email was sent to you in error, please contact McKenzie at mknudson@waukesha
county.gov or provide her with the certificate of completion of the training in question. Until you have completed the steps, you are not considered an approved 4-H volunteer. Please check your volunteer status in 4-H Online to verify if your volunteer trainings are complete. 

Please check your status in 4-H Online to verify if your enrollment has been approved.

As a reminder, If you have not paid your county enrollment fee go to our website using the link below. Scroll down to Step Three: Pay the County Enrollment Fee. Select from the 4-H Family Enrollment Fees options based on the number of youths enrolling in 4-H for the 2023-2024 year.

The enrollment fee is $40 for the first child and $10 per additional child. For example, if your family has three youth enrolled in 4-H it would be $40 for the first child, $10 for the second child, and $10 for the third child for a total of $60.

If paying by check, please make checks payable to: Extension Waukesha County and mail to 515 West Moreland Blvd AC-G22, Waukesha WI 53188. 

If you have any questions or need any assistance regarding enrollment please contact McKenzie Knudson at mknudson@waukeshacounty.gov.

Sign up today for Extension Waukesha County 4-H Project Night on Wednesday, April 3rd at the Waukesha County Expo Center. There are two session's the first is 5:30 P.M. – 6:15 P.M. the second is 6:30 P.M. – 7:15 P.M. Sign up for one activity for each session below.

Sessions:
Entomologists - Insect Investigators: In this workshop series, students will learn about adaptations, habitats, and the importance of the bugs we find outside and even sometimes in our homes!

Jewelry Project: Beading and Necklaces

Public Speaking: This session will focus on the life skill of communication. Youth will discuss the process of planning, practicing and presenting a short speech or demonstration.

Science and More Science: The art of sound (Available to youth ages 9 and up) People always hear and create sounds, but did you know sounds are wave vibrations? Through art, you can explore amplitude, frequency, and wavelength. Then, paint and sketch your unique  "voice fingerprint" as a work of art.

If you are an adult volunteer interested in leading a project or are looking to share your passion and lead a workshop. Sign up to volunteer at our 4-H Project Nights at the Waukesha County Expo May 15th.

4-H is a youth development program that provides young people with opportunities to learn by doing, grow as leaders, and make a positive impact in their communities. Volunteers help make 4-H possible.

Consider sharing your knowledge, passion, and talents by helping youth members learn skills they will use throughout life. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to work with a youth on a specific project area, such as animal science, robotics, or photography.

If you are interested in becoming a 4-H project volunteer, please let James know at james.boling@wisc.edu. 

Project Nights at the Expo - April 3 and May 15 - Project volunteers are needed. If you would like more details contact James at james.boling@wisc.edu.

Performing Arts Day - April 13 - Registration is now open until March 17. Register for Performing Arts Day at this link https://forms.gle/sizPuBG6cvU34wzz. This year Performing Arts Day have new talent show format. For more information contact Barb Jones bjones@wi.rr.com

Fair Entry Registration - March 15 - June 15 - 90 full Days to enter and no late entries accepted.

4-H Camp - June 17-20 - Camp will be at Camp Whitcomb/Mason in Hartland, Wisconsin. The theme this year is "Tropical Adventure." Registration has reached capacity. 

Waukesha County Fair - July 17-21

Be in the know - Waukesha County Fair Exhibitor Email Sign Up is below.

"Hey, Hey Fair Exhibitors & Exhibitors Families  Help us help YOU with exhibitor updates & info…Join our Waukesha County Fair EXHIBITOR EMAIL LIST!

The Waukesha County Fair is looking to reach out to any exhibitors and/or exhibitor families new or old in youth groups and other organizations to “opt-in” to receive direct exhibitor informational emails/messages regarding the upcoming 2024 Waukesha County Fair running July 17th -21st this year!

The information requested is meant to be brief…Share at the link here:https://forms.gle
/atQsiw8SyfQ89Aqv7. Here’s to an exciting 2024 Waukesha County Fair ahead for all!"

Any questions about the Waukesha County Fair please email info@waukeshacountyfair.com or call at 262-544-5922. 

Are you following us on Facebook? Like and follow Extension Waukesha County 4-H's official Facebook page. This is the page to follow for all things Waukesha County 4-H and Youth Development. We'll continue to post our updates, news and content here for youth and families. Please share to spread the word!
You can also find us on Instagram @waukeshacountyyouth
development

Extension Waukesha County is committed to supporting quality educational experiences for our youth as well as supporting our volunteers and families. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or if you need any assistance.

James Boling

4-H Program Educator

james.boling@wisc.edu

Nicole Loeffler

Associate 4-H Educator

nicole.loeffler@wisc.edu

McKenzie Knudson

4-H Administrative Support

mknudson@waukeshacounty.gov

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.