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Note from our Office
Dear Calumet County 4‑H,
Happy February, 4‑H Families!
We’re just one month into 2026, and already it’s been exciting to hear about the goals, projects, and plans our members are starting to explore. February is a great time to check in, reconnect, and keep the momentum going!
February = Friendship, Community & Kindness
This month, 4‑H is celebrating one of our core values: belonging.
Whether you’re meeting with your club, working with a project leader, or participating in county events, YOU help make 4‑H a welcoming place for everyone.
Here are a few simple ways to spread kindness and community spirit this month:
🌟 Invite someone new to sit with you at a meeting
💬 Offer to help another member with a project skill
👍 Share words of encouragement during club activities
❤️ Thank a volunteer — they make 4‑H possible!
Small actions can make a big difference.
Winter may still be here, but spring project planning is right around the corner! Be sure to watch for upcoming opportunities, workshops, and county events.
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.
Wishing you a month filled with friendship, learning, and 4‑H spirit! 🌱✨
Sincerely,
Carlea Liermann
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| Thursday, February 5 - 6:30-7:30pm - ChickQuest at Courthouse, Room 025
Sunday, February 8 - 5-6pm - Livestock Quizbowl Practice at Courthouse, Room 025
Wednesday, February 11 - 7pm - Leaders Council Exec Board Meeting at Courthouse, Rm 025
Thursday, February 12 - 6:30-7:30pm - Chickquest at Courthouse, Room 025
Sunday, February 15 - 5-6pm - Livestock Quizbowl Practice at Courthouse, Room 025
Tuesday, February 17 - 6:30-7:30pm - Chickquest at Courthouse, Room 025
Thursday, February 19 - 6:30-7:30pm - Chickquest at Courthouse, Room 025
Thursday, February 19 - 6-7pm - Cloverbud Club at Courthouse, Room 015
Thursday, February 19 - 6-7pm - Explorers at Courthouse, Room 014
Thursday, February 19 - 6:30-7:30pm - Dog Project Info Meeting at Courthouse, Rm 017
Saturday, February 21 - 9am-12pm - Food Workshop - Chilton High School Foods Lab
Saturday, February 21 - ChickQuest pick-up (time TBD) at Courthouse
Saturday, February 21 - 2-5pm - Family Fun Day - Brillion Community Center
Monday, February 23 - 7-8pm - Poultry & Rabbit Project Meeting at Courthouse, Rms 017 & 025
Tuesday, February 24 - 6:30-7:30pm - YQCA at Courthouse, Rooms 017 & 025
February 27-March 1 - Winter Leadership Camp - Spencer Lake Camp
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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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2025-2026 4-H Theme
Congratulations to Woodville Stars 4-H Club for submitting the winning theme for this year's theme contest: "4-H has all the right ingredients"
As a reminder, this will be the theme we use for the 2026 Calumet County Fair booths and window displays as part of National 4-H Week.
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Photography ClassHere’s a great opportunity for our photography members who are 12 and older!
Ready to level up your photography skills for the 2026 4‑H County Fair? Photo Opp, a local Appleton nonprofit, is hosting a hands‑on workshop series designed just for you.
Each session includes a group lesson plus individual guidance so you can learn, practice, and create your best fair entry yet.
Ages: 12 and up
Cost: $40 per student
Register: https://www.thephotoopp.org/progra.../p/4h-photography-class
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Wisconsin 4-H Scholarships
Wisconsin 4-H will award more than $20,000 in scholarships from established donor funds to outstanding Wisconsin 4-H members and alumni pursuing higher education this year. Wisconsin 4-H Scholarships are awarded to students based on demonstrated personal growth through 4-H, development and leadership in 4-H, academic performance, and future educational goals.
Scholarship Eligibility
To be eligible for any Wisconsin 4-H Scholarship, students must have been a Wisconsin 4-H member for at least three years, have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and be enrolled or planning to enroll at a university, college, or technical school during the following academic school year. Previous scholarship winners are not eligible to receive a second Wisconsin 4-H Scholarship.
Application Instructions
Applicants will submit an online application form and upload a cover letter and résumé as a combined PDF and select all scholarship opportunities that they qualify for. The documents will provide 4-H youth a chance to share their 4-H achievements and future plans. The review committee will be looking for how applicants specifically address the criteria as listed online here.
Applications open Jaunary 1st and closes March 1st.
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Looking for Horse Project Leader!
Purpose:
Provide leadership, guidance, and support to youth enrolled in the 4-H Horse Project. Help members develop knowledge, skills, and responsibility related to horse care, riding, and safety.
Responsibilities:
- Organize and lead regular project meetings and activities
- Ensure all activities follow 4-H safety guidelines and policies
- Encourage positive youth development through hands-on learning and teamwork
- Communicate with families and the 4-H Program Educator about schedules and requirements
- Serve as a role model by demonstrating respect, responsibility, and integrity
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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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STEAM GAZE: A Creative Fusion of Art & Science!
Wisconsin 4-H proudly presents STEAM GAZE, a dynamic, full-day experience designed for curious and creative youth in grades 3–5. This spring, dive into a world of discovery where art meets science through hands-on workshops led by passionate educators and mentors.
Whether your spark is chemistry, theater, visual arts, environmental science, music, or something in between, STEAM GAZE offers multiple interactive tracks to ignite imagination and innovation.
Older 4-H members and professional staff will guide and inspire participants throughout this exciting day of exploration and creativity. It is open to 4-H ers and non 4-Hers.
Youth must attend with an adult (parent, club leader, teacher, Extension staff, etc.). Adult attendance is free.
Event Details:
Wausau: April 25, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Marathon County Extension Office, Wausau, WI
Milwaukee: May 16, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Location TBD
Low-cost registration makes this opportunity accessible for all. Don’t miss your chance to gaze into the future of STEAM! $ 10.00 per youth participant.
Registration will open through 4-H Online at the end of February.
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Registration is now open for ArtBEAT!
4-H ArtBEAT! is the introductory program for Wisconsin 4-H expressive arts and was created for 4-H members in grades 3-5, their parents and leaders. ArtBEAT! provides an opportunity for youth and their parents to experience different art forms in a camping environment at the Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center in Wisconsin Dells. ArtBEAT! The event offers a taste of several arts projects including music, visual arts, Theater, and more!
Youth participants will rotate through a variety of hands-on sessions held at various sites throughout camp, including outdoors (be sure to dress accordingly).
Parents are not required to attend but are encouraged to participate as enrolled volunteers.
Enrolled volunteers will help supervise youth and lead them through the activity rotations (led by the ArtBEAT! Leadership team). You can easily become a 4-H volunteer by enrolling in 4HOnline and completing all the online training and a background check.
Becoming an enrolled volunteer is easier than ever! Contact your local county office with any questions.
Come join the excitement of this opportunity available to our most enthusiastic and creative 4-H members!
Register by February 8, 2026 to secure your spot!
When: Saturday & Sunday, March 14-15, 2026 (9 AM Sat. - 12 PM Sun.)
Where: Upham Woods, Wisconsin Dells
Youth registration: Tiered Pricing - $125, $150, $175; Adult chaperone: $75. Visit: go.wisc.edu/ArtBEAT for more information or 26wi4hartbeat.4honline.com to register now!
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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
Save the Dates - State 4-H Dog Events
September 26 & 27, 2026
4-H Dog Obedience, Showmanship, and Rally
Speaking, Photo, and Poster Contests
Langlade County Fairgrounds, Antigo, WI
October 11, 2026
State 4-H Dog Agility Show
Overdale Canine Sports, Spring Valley
Our county obedience, rally, and showmanship will be starting up again at the end of May. Please keep watching the newsletter for the mandatory meeting for sign-up in March and April. If you have any questions, you can reach out to Trisha Flanigan at gtflanigan@frontier.com
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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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