4-H Newsletter
Letter from the Educator
Vol 2.5 Newsletter
APRIL 26: Camp Counselor Applications Due
APRIL 29- MAY 1: Counselor Interviews
MAY 1: Base Camp Registration Opens
MAY 1: Adventure Camp Registration Opens
May 1: Science Day Camp Registration Opens
MAY 1: Summer Academy Registration Closes
MAY 11: Racine Co. Fundraiser Distribution Day
MAY 16: Horse Project Workshop
May 22: Science Day Cam Registration Closes
MAY 23: Cloverbud Day Camp Registration Opens
MAY 27: Adult and Junior Leaders Assc. Meeting
MAY 29: Base Camp Registration Closes
MAY 29: Adventure Camp Registration Closes
Racine Co.Racine Co.
MAY 2024
Submitted by Audra Bird
After 4 months on maternity leave, I am back in the
office. Avery Mae was born on December 19th!
Thank you for all your patience during these last few
months, and thank you to Emily for holding down
the fort while I was gone!
I can’t believe summer is right around the corner,
along with summer programming! We lost a little
time during my absence, but we are going to start
rolling out information very soon. As you can see
from the calendar, there are several registration
forms going out, so please pay attention to your
emails!
Please reach out with any questions!
-Elizabeth Vazquez - 4-H Educator
4-H Newsletter
Reporter
Corner
Racine Co.Racine Co.
MAY 2024
Vol 2.5 Newsletter
4-H Celebrates4-H Celebrates
CEDAR CREST FLAVOR FINALIST
Flavor: Peanut Butter Brownie Boom
Hello Racine County 4-H!
I hope you are all enjoying the
warm weather we have been
having lately. Much has happened
throughout Racine County 4-H
during these last few months.
Racine County’s Annual Skate Day
took place on Sunday, February
18th from 1-3pm at Traxside
skating. Racine County 4-H Art-4-All
Day was held on March 2nd at
Raymond Elementary School. It
consisted of a day full of art
stations and other fun activities.
Not only is this event fun, but also is
a great reminder that 4-H is open
for everyone and not for just those
with animals. Winter Camp this
year was held on Friday, March 8th-
Sunday, March 10th at Camp
Timber-Lee. I was unable to attend
this year but I heard it was a great
time. Just a reminder the Racine
County Fair this year is Wednesday,
July 24-Sunday, July 28. I’m looking
forward to seeing all your amazing
projects this year!
-Sophia Steinhoff
Entries were judged by a panel of ice cream
experts chosen by Cedar Crest. The family-owned
company based in Cedarburg, Wisconsin
manufactures more than 80 flavors of ice cream,
along with frozen custard, sherbet, and sorbet at its
Manitowoc, Wisconsin plant. Cedar Crest distributes
products in several Midwest states and beyond.
CLOVERVIEW 4-H
The Cloverview 4-H club was a finalist in the Cedar
Crest Ice Cream contest. Rylann Breitigam came
up with the flavor and submitted it. Cloverview got
to celebrate with an ice cream party provided by
Cedar Crest at their March meeting. They had so
much left over they enjoyed some at the April
meeting.
4-H Newsletter
Volunteers may remember participating in VIP (Volunteers in Preparation). We are now shifting to a new
version of orientation called “Grow Green.” This is a new, interactive orientation that is available online or
available in a paper format to be read offline. It is designed to be taken whenever convenient for the
potential new volunteer.
You can learn more about Grow Green here!
Just click on the green “Start the Training” button to begin
Two short, interactive modules – one module is an introduction to volunteering in Extension and Wisconsin
4-H, and a second module that is geared towards a specific volunteer role. Combined, this orientation
should take around 45 minutes to complete.
Lots of practical tips – in the training modules, new volunteers will learn about some of the 4-H guiding
principles (Essential Elements, Life Skills Development, Ages & Stages of Youth) and gain some really
practical tips to use as a volunteer.
Start and stop at your leisure – if you start the training and need to step away, you can come back to the
website using the same device you started with and it will pick up where you left off.
We are hopeful that this will make orientation more convenient and beneficial! This orientation is required for
new volunteers, but it is available online for all volunteers to take as a refresher.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
April is Volunteer Appreciation month, and April 21st - 27th is 4-H Volunteer
Appreciation Week! I would love to be able celebrate all the hard work of
our volunteers, and I need your help! I am asking for volunteer shout-outs
from club members, fellow volunteers, project leaders, club leaders,
parents, and anyone who knows a 4-H Volunteer that works hard to make
this program a fun, educational, and positive environment to be a part of!
You can nominate a volunteer here!
Throughout 4-H Volunteer Appreciation Week, I will be sharing your
nominations on the Facebook page. Please feel free to include a photo with
your nomination. So please take a moment to consider a 4-H volunteer that
has made your life better, easier, or more exciting, and give them a shout
out next week!
VOLUNTEER NEWSVOLUNTEER NEWS
MAY 2024
Vol 2.5 Newsletter
GROW GREEN
4-H Newsletter
Vol 2.5 Newsletter
4-H CAMP NEWS4-H CAMP NEWS
MAY 2024
CAMP COUNSELOR APPLICATIONS
This application is for youth who are currently in 7th- 13th
grades interested in serving as a camp counselors and
counselors in training this summer. If you would love to
stay in a cabin with 3rd-5th graders, sleep in a tent
alongside 6th-8th graders, spend the day with our
Cloverbud members, spend a weekend with Horses, OR
DO IT ALL, then you are in the right place! You can find
the staff application using the link below!
REGISTER HERE!
Applications have been extended to
Sunday, April 28th, 2024 at 11:59 P.M.
Interview Dates: April 29th-30th and May 1
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING A
CHAPERONE FOR SUMMER CAMP, FILL
OUT THE INTEREST FORM HERE!
4-H SUMMER CAMP
We are in need of chaperones for 4-H Base
Camp and Adventure Camp at Upham
Woods. These camps will not happen without
the support of volunteers! There is currently one
volunteer for Adventure Camp, and if we
cannot find anyone else, we will not be having
adventure camp this year. Please fill out the
interest form below if you would be willing
support this beloved summer tradition!
Registration forms will be coming soon! Thank
you to those who filled out this form back in
December. Your interest has been noted!
4-H Newsletter
New for 2024 - Swine Light and Dark Cross Divisions
Please note a change in entry information for junior swine exhibitors. Per the 2024 Fairbook:
S. The Crossbred Division will be divided into Light and Dark Cross Divisions. The Champion
Light and Champion Dark will compete for the Champion Crossbred. The Reserve
Champion Light and Reserve Champion Dark will compete for the Reserve Champion
Crossbred. Only the Champion & Reserve Champion Crossbred will participate in the
Champion Drive. If you have any questions on which division your Crossbred belongs in,
please contact a member of the Swine Committee.
a. Dark Cross Classification – The animal must have black pigment and hair in the same
location. Examples include but are not limited to the following: Black Belted, White Hog
with Black Spots, Calico with Black Spots, and White Hog with a Black Head.
b. Light Cross Classification – The animal must have white and non-black pigment.
Examples include but are not limited to the following: Red Belts, Red Roans, Blues, and Blue
Butts (including blues with black pigment on snout and toes).
County FairCounty Fair
MAY 2024
Vol 2.5 Newsletter
2024 $1,000 Takes All Contest - Cabbage!
The Racine County Fair is excited to welcome back the $1,000 Takes All
Contest! This year the category is cabbage! Special thanks to Borzynski
Farms for sponsoring this year’s contest. If you are interested in
participating, please click for more info below!
Entry Information
The YQCA (Youth for the Quality Care of Animals) certification is for those who are planning to exhibit and
sell certain animals at the Racine County Fair. All large animal exhibitors need YQCA as well as any small
animal exhibitors that plan to sell their animal at the Fur and Feather Auction.
At this time, Extension Racine County is not offering this certification class in person. To access the current
YQCA certification platform to complete the online course, go to
https://yqcaprogram.org/
It is extremely important you complete the pre-test, training and post test as well as print your certificate.
When registering for the Racine County Fair you will need the YQCA certificate and your YQCA number to
enter that information into the ShoWorks website. Please do not wait until the last minute to complete YQCA
as it could impact your ability to register for the fair on time and there are no exceptions for an extension to
the final date and time for fair registration.
Account creation questions contact help@yqcaprogram.org.
YQCA TRAINING
4-H Newsletter
Vol 2.5 Newsletter
COUNTY NEWSCOUNTY NEWS
MAY 2024
TRACTOR SAFETY OPPORTUNITY
The Progressive Agriculture Foundation has reached out to see if our county will
provide an opportunity for a Tractor Safety Day in Racine County. They will provide:
• On-line, self-paced training for 2 volunteers
• Detailed planning materials
• A peer-reviewed safety and health curriculum targeting youth ages 4-13
• T-shirts and take-home bags for all Safety Day participants and volunteers.
• Insurance coverage for the facility, all participants, and all volunteers.
If you would like to know more about coordinating a PAF Safety Day and bringing this
vital information to children in your area, please reach out. If we have two volunteers,
I will get in touch with the representative from the Progressive Agriculture Foundation.
SUMMER STEM CAMPS AT
GATEWAY
Gateway Technical College has reached out to
4-H to let us know about these incredible
summer camp opportunities focusing on STEM
topics lead by the experts. These camps are for
youth in a variety of age ranges from 6th -12th
grade, depending on the camp. You will also
notice that these camps are either free, or very
affordable. Camp rosters are very limited, so
register quickly. If you have any questions, you
can reach out to Betsy Ross at [email protected],
262-564-2412
LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE CAMPS AND
REGISTER HERE!
4-H Newsletter
NATIONAL NEWSNATIONAL NEWS
MAY 2024
Vol 2.5 Newsletter
Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Announces Ambassador Program
The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation has created an exciting opportunity for 4-H alumni. The first-ever
Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Ambassador Team will be selected later this year. Ambassadors, who will be
recent 4-H alumni, will assist the Foundation at events, will represent the Foundation at 4-H activities
and with key stakeholders, will assist with social media; and will create donor recognition opportunities.
The Ambassador application process will begin June 1.
The Foundation is currently seeking an adult Ambassador Program Specialist. The Specialist is a
volunteer position. However, the Specialist will receive a yearly stipend and will have travel costs paid.
“The Ambassador program is an exciting way for our recent 4-H alumni to continue their 4-H
experience,” says Brenda Schneider, Executive Director of the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation. “This team of
young adults will be working throughout the state as our representatives to 4-H activities, to our donors
and to the public. We need a strong team leader and are looking to find that unique individual who
has a passion for helping young adults reach their potential.”
Click here to see the complete position description and application instructions!
Hosted by Wisconsin 4-H and Community Youth
Development of UW-Madison Extension.
Join us on the UW-Madison Campus for the new
Summer Academy, June 24-27, 2024. This new
Positive Youth Development program will help you
discover pathways to your future. Signup to learn
what it takes to have a career, or a hobby in several
SPARK areas including agriculture, STEM, service,
leadership, arts, trades, and many more. There will
be fun opportunities to build networks and
friendships with folks from all over the state of WI.
Registration closes May 1, 2024!
SUMMER ACADEMY
Summer Academy information can be found here!
4-H Newsletter
NATIONAL NEWSNATIONAL NEWS
MAY 2024
Vol 2.5 Newsletter
Minnesota 4-H Photography is excited to offer
another multi-state photography contest open to
youth in grades K-13!
Select your best photo (with no or minimal
editing) and submit it with up to two sentences
that explains why it’s special to you! More
information and rules for the challenge can be
found at: 4-H Hit Me with Your Best Shot Photo
Contest | UMN Extension with rules available
here.
Submit one (1) jpg or jpeg image and statement
to [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. (CST) on
May 1, 2024. Volunteer 4-H photography judges
will provide feedback via a slideshow. Top photos
will be recognized with a prize and random prize
drawing winners will also receive a gift.
2024 “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” 4-H Photography Contest
REGISTER HERE!
Questions? Email [email protected].
The 2024 STEM kit, Food for Thought, provides young
people with a hands-on experience as they explore
the topic of Food Security and its impact on the world,
empowering them to innovate and create positive
change. This year's kit will provide youth with the
fundamental knowledge of factors that contribute to
food security, how people are impacted globally and
locally and how youth can personally contribute to
creating more food secure communities.
.
Register Here!
4-H STEM CHALLENGE
Join National 4-H Council and 4-H educators on May 22nd at 3 p.m. EST for an engaging
webinar and detailed walk-through of the 2024 kit. We’ll share details about the activities, answer
your questions and give examples of how you can use the kit to teach about food security
through STEM! This year's kit was developed with LSU AgCenter, North Dakota State University,
Penn State Extension and the University of Nebraska - Lincoln
