September 23rd, 2026

Marie's Message

Don't Miss These Important 4-H Opportunities!
The new 4-H year is off to a great start, and there are several important opportunities that require action soon!

Leadership Launch - Register Today!
Leadership Launch is coming up soon, and we encourage all youth leaders to attend. This event is not just for club officers. Any youth who is interested in developing leadership skills, meeting other 4-H members, and growing as a leader will benefit from this experience. We also strongly encourage adult leaders and volunteers to participate alongside youth as we kick off the new 4-H year together.
If you have not yet registered, now is the time!

Member Experiences and Key Award Applications Due September 30
Youth interested in applying for one of the member experiences or the Key Award highlighted in this issue of The Focus should begin working on their applications now. Application materials are due September 30 for Dodge County 4-H youth to receive financial support. Interviews for Member Experience Scholarships are on October 7 at the Dodge Co Administration building.

The Dodge County Leaders Association offers scholarships to help offset a portion of the cost of these experiences. To be considered for a scholarship, youth must:
· Submit their application by September 30
· Complete an interview process
Details can be found in the article immediately preceding the member experiences information in this issue of The Focus.

Need Help?
I have also been offering Zoom sessions to help youth prepare their resumes and cover letters. If you would like assistance, please be sure to register for one of these sessions using the information provided in The Focus.
Don't wait until the last minute. September 30 will be here before you know it! Take advantage of these leadership and growth opportunities and put your best application forward.

Questions? Contact the Extension Office.

Marie Witzel
Positive Youth Development Educator
marie.witzel@wisc.edu
920-386-3790

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. 

Please send any 4-H or youth development related emails to marie.witzel@wisc.edu

Need help? Reach out to schedule an appointment, and we can assist you with completing your online enrollment and training at the Extension Office.

Reminder: After submitting your volunteer enrollment, please watch for your HireRight background check and/or complete the required 4-H Online volunteer training. These steps must be completed before your enrollment can be approved. For the training, be sure to scroll to the very bottom of the final screen so the course is marked as complete.

Enrollment needs to be completed by November 1st, 2026.

Reminder for 3rd Grade Members:
In Dodge County 4-H, 3rd grade members must enroll in the Exploring project and may add one additional project of their choice. If they choose Beef as their additional project, they are only eligible to exhibit in the Beef Feeder Class at the Dodge County Junior Fair. It looks like they will need to add the Exploring project and decide which one additional project they would like to complete this year.

Reminder for Adult Volunteers:
All adult volunteers must complete the required volunteer training and background check process before they can be approved and participate as a 4-H volunteer. If you have not yet completed these requirements, please do so as soon as possible to avoid delays in your volunteer approval.

Enrollment needs to be completed by November 1st, 2026

4-H Club Kick-off Meeting designed to bring 4-H Club Leaders and Club Officers together as we launch another exciting 4-H year!  We will have some interactive activities, leadership challenges, hands-on learning, team-building experiences, planning sessions, and other activities that will help participants connect and start the year strong.

Youth and adults from all clubs are encouraged to attend!

Dodge County 4-H members are encouraged to apply for exciting educational experiences and recognition opportunities, including Beyond Wisconsin, Ignite by 4-H, National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference, and the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award. These opportunities help youth build leadership skills, expand their networks, and represent Dodge County on the state and national level. Applications are due September 30 and must include a completed application, cover letter, resume, and reference page.

Interviews will be scheduled for October 7th.

February 11 - 15, 2027, participants will travel to St. Louis, Missouri, where they'll explore hands-on science museums, discover art and culture, experience live music and performances, and sample regional foods. The journey begins with team-building activities and an overnight stay in Illinois, giving youth the chance to connect with new friends from across Wisconsin before heading to St. Louis for a weekend packed with discovery and fun.

More than just a trip, this experience is a great first step toward independence through supervised overnight travel. Youth will be accompanied by Wisconsin 4-H educators and trained, screened adult volunteers. They'll return home with new friendships, greater confidence, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Registration opens October 26th in 4-H Online

Be part of a new virtual learning opportunity designed to help youth and adult volunteers bring 4-H projects to life. The September 24 kickoff session will introduce the series, provide a short "taste test" of a project lesson, showcase available resources, and give participants a chance to help shape future topics.

No experience needed!

📅 Thursday, September 24
🕡 6:30-8:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual

Join us to learn, connect, and help build future Project Learning Labs around the topics you're most interested in exploring! 🍀

Looking to connect with 4-H members from across Wisconsin while growing your skills and exploring your interests? Consider applying for a Wisconsin 4-H Ambassador Team! Opportunities are available in Leadership, Agriculture, Arts, and the new Outdoor Ambassadors program. Youth in grades 9-12 can develop leadership skills, make new friends, represent Wisconsin 4-H at statewide events, and help shape future programming. Applications open October 1 in 4-H Online and close November 15, 2026. Visit the Wisconsin 4-H website for more information about each ambassador team and application details.

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

24-  4-H Project Learning Labs 6:30-8:00 PM virtual

28 - Meat Animal Sale Post-Sale Meeting

29 - Dodge County 4-H Leadership Launch 5:45 pm Dodgeland

PYD Media Collection Project Resources Follow the link to learn more about the collection and request materials.

4HOnline  Log in to your account at the Wisconsin 4-H Online Sign in page

Visit the Wisconsin 4-H Website

WI 4-H Policy Updates

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