Greetings 4-Her’s!

                Are you ready for December?  Today is December 1 - Christmas is less than a month away and 2024 will be here before you know it! But, before you think that far ahead, there are some fun 4-H events coming up in December:

December 15th is the New Family Gathering. The perfect opportunity to meet other new families in 4-H and learn more about 4-H.

December 16th is the Shop with Cops event. 4-H members have the privilege of being Santa’s elves and wrapping all the gifts that are purchased by the “Santa Cops”.

Sign up for either or both of these events and make your December extra memorable!

If I do not see you before then, have a Merry Christmas!

Ellen Bohn

4-H Youth Program Assistant

ebohn@co.dodge.wi.us

920-386-3790

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. As an update with staffing, Dawn has taken another position in the County and is no longer with our office. Please continue to send all content to Marie by email. You can also contact the office with any questions. Thanks!

Do you like to help others?
Do you like 4-H? How do these opportunities sound to you:

- Help Expand 4-H Programs
- Create new partnerships
- Grow professionally
- Create great memories  
- Work with amazing youth, volunteers and families
- Inspire youth 
- Make a difference

Sounds amazing right? Check out the links below!

County Line (Samantha Schwandt) Turkey Raffle tickets were counted and sorted at the start of the meeting, and the winner of the 21.5 pound turkey was Hector Bautista. Brayden Pankow won Champion Mediterranean at the Ohio National (150th Anniversary of the APA), with a Large Fowl White Leghorn Cockerel.

Hyland Prairie (Harper Zillmer) Ideas for a holiday party at the December meeting were discussed. It was decided that Ella Fenske will plan a holiday game along with a human tree decorating game. It was discussed whether to do a float or walk in the Beaver Dam Christmas Parade.

December 15, 2023 - New Family Gathering

January 29, 2024 - Communication Festival

February 24, 2024 - Family Learning Day

March 23, 2024 - Family Learning Day

June 12-15, 2024 - Tri-County Camp - Camp Lakotah

Dodge County 4-H sponsors a variety of member educational experience scholarships available to 4-H youth in grade 6 or higher.  To be considered you MUST complete the M.E. (Member Evaluation) Forms. Fill out the category color that matches your HIGHEST CATEGORY trip choice. 

50% financial assistance is provided for these educational experiences by the Dodge County 4-H Leader’s Association and Beaver Dam Agri-Business. These groups would like to encourage youth to take advantage of these educational trip opportunities that are only possible through 4-H.

Questions? Call or email Ellen Bohn, 4-H Program Assistant at 920-386-3790 or ebohn@co.dodge.wi.us

Registration opens November 1 - December 1 in 4HOnline!

Space Camp is just what you think it is – it’s a camp experience where you learn and experience a ton of different aspects about life as an astronaut, working at NASA, and exploring places beyond Earth! Wisconsin 4-H Space Camp participants experience the Pathfinder Program. The Pathfinder Program is a 3 day experience where youth participate in a variety of simulated space activities. 

Cost $1000 (Check the section above for information to apply for scholarships towards Space Camp.)

Applications are now live! Older youth are invited to apply to participate in this conference. National 4-H Conference is a premier leadership and civic engagement opportunity, where youth will get the chance to work with a branch of the Federal Government on an action plan, visit with Legislators, and explore Washington DC! 

Join us for virtual opportunities to learn about Careers and competitions in Wildlife & Woods! This new virtual series is open to youth in grades 6-12 and adult leaders. Come learn about what's available for our older youth in 4-H! Event registration is open now in 4-HOnline. You can attend as many hour-long sessions as you like!

Applications are NOW OPEN until January 16th, 2024.

When you apply to either of these state teams, you will be on a team with other youth from around the state of Wisconsin who share the same passion, and enjoy being creative! Whether that be by creating art or being involved in putting on drama shows, you can do it with Wisconsin 4-H!

Plan a "4-H Benefit Night" for your club. Contact local restaurants to learn more details.

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation provides support for arts and communications programs that encourage youth to develop strong leadership, creative, and communication skills. Each year the Foundation highlights 4-H artists through the Celebrate the Arts art contest.

This year’s contest runs from November 1, 2023, through January 15, 2024

Click the link to be directed to the contest submission form. Please read the complete 2023 Art Event Contest Information before entering your work. 

If you are 18 years or older and interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer, we can help. We will provide new volunteers with (VIP) Volunteers in Preparation Training about how to work effectively with youth and what resources are available to volunteers. We will also ask you to participate in a Mandated Reporter Training to learn more about how to protect youth from child abuse and neglect. Finally, to ensure the safety of all youth and volunteers, a Volunteer Behavior Expectations Agreement and background check are required.

Depending on their role, some volunteers may be asked to complete subject matter-specific training as well as training to enrich their knowledge of youth development (for example chaperones or Shooting Sports leaders).

All volunteers, both new and returning, are also required to take training on how to report sexual misconduct. Answers to questions about reporting and training are available on our FAQ page.

DECEMBER

15 - New Family Gathering Day - Dodge Co. Auditorium - 7 PM

16 - Dodge Co. Shop With Cops - The Watermark (Beaver Dam) - 9:15 AM-Noon

26 - Gingerbread House Make & Take - BD Comm. Library - 1pm
       (BRING FRIENDS - OPEN TO ALL)

28 - Cavy Project Meeting - Pizza Ranch (Beaver Dam) 6 PM  -   Party Room 3

JANUARY

 4 - ME Interviews for Space Camp, American Spirit & CWF - 6:30 pm

16 - 4-H Leaders Executive Board - 7:00 pm

22 - Rabbit Project Meeting - Dodgeland HS Room #312 - 7PM

29 - Communication Festival - 6:30 pm

4-H Learning Resources from Positive Youth Development Media Collections

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