Cloverline Newsletter
Monthly newsletter for Washington County 4-H
Embedded Files
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Calendar
Calendar
Have a question? Contact us!
Ron Jakubisin, 4-H Educator, 262-335-4862
4-H Programming
Volunteering in 4-H
Youth & adult leadership
Kelly Dione, 4-H Educator, 262-335-4799
4-H STEM Programming
Career and College Readiness
After School-Based Programming
Karen Girard, Administrative Assistant, 262-335-4478
4-H Online
General 4-H information
4-H communications
Announcements
Announcements
Update from Fair Manager Tanya Becker
We are so excited for the 168th Washington County Fair and can’t wait to see all of you and the incredible work you’ve been putting in throughout the year!
Thank you for the time, dedication, and care you give to your animals and projects—it truly is what makes our Fair so special.
As we get closer, please keep a few important reminders in mind:
All animals and exhibits must be registered by June 10th. This deadline is firm, and no late entries will be accepted. New this year, all entry fees must be paid online at the time of registration.
Exhibitor parking passes will be available starting in May and will once again be $50. Trailer parking passes are free, but must still be registered through the Fair Park office beginning in May.
There are a few updates to livestock arrival and show times this year, so please take a moment to review the Premium Book carefully.
We truly appreciate everything you do to make the Fair a success. Your hard work, commitment, and passion are what bring this event to life, and we are so excited to see it all come together.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Fair Park office at 262-677-5060 or countyfair@wcfairpark.com.
Thank you again—we’ll see you at the Fair!
Fairly Yours.
Tanya Becker
Fair Manager
Upcoming Opportunities - County
Upcoming Opportunities - County
Join us for Washington County 4-H Summer Camp at Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center on June 11-14, 2026!!
Youth currently in grades 3-8 will meet new friends, participate in games, connect to the outdoors, develop leadership skills, and much more! Price includes all activity supplies, bus fees, and food/snacks. Camp space is limited, so sign up promptly! Please note that registrations will be taken on a first-completed, first-accepted basis. Registration closes on April 5, 2026.
2026 Washington County Summer Camp is June 11-14, 2026
Register in 4HOnline
Grades 3 - 8
Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells
Cost:
$175 for Washington County 4-H members registering in 4HOnline thru April 5
$200 for Community Members (non-Washington County 4-H member) registering in 4HOnline thru April 5
***New Date for Summer Camp Staff Training (rescheduled from March 16): Monday, April 6, 6-8pm at the Washington County Public Agency Center, room 1113.
See additional summer camp important dates
Washington County 4‑H STEM Sparks Discovery Lab – Virtual Series for Grades K–5
Ignite curiosity this spring with the 4‑H STEM Sparks Discovery Lab! This virtual series for elementary youth (Grades K–5) features four high-energy, hands‑on sessions where participants build, test, and experiment with balloon poppers, straw rockets, wind turbines, and more. Youth will explore real-world STEM concepts like force, motion, renewable energy, and aerodynamics—all through fun, interactive activities held live on Zoom.
Session Dates & Topics:
March 25: Potential Energy Popper
April 8: Straw Rocket Blasters
April 22: Exploring Energy (Wind Turbine)
May 6: Amazing Aerodynamics – Toy Parachutes & Spinners
Each session is 60 minutes and perfect for home or club participation.
Registration is required in 4‑H Online to receive the Zoom link.
Register here: STEM Sparks Discovery Lab Registration
Attn: 4-H Members, Youth/Adult Leaders, Family Members, & Friends
Lots of volunteer opportunities are available at the March 27/28 Tri County Shooting Sports Tournament at Washington County Fair Park. Shifts are typically two hours. See more: Tri County Shooting Sports Volunteer Opportunities
Explore your opportunities with Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps service!
Check out the openings and fill out a Curiosity Form — or apply if you’re ready!
Talk with a WI 4-H AmeriCorps team member about your opportunities.
Ready to Apply? View positions here!
Start making a difference in the lives of youth while you gain professional and personal experience, a stipend, and an earned education award.
Washington County 4-H Summer day camps
We are officially gearing up for our 4-H Summer Day Camps at Moraine Park Technical College (West Bend campus), and we’re looking for high school volunteers to join our leadership team!
If you’re looking to gain some experience working with kids, earn community service hours, or just stay involved with 4-H this summer, we’d love to have your help. This is a great chance to mentor younger members and share what you know—whether that’s in STEM, agriculture, arts, or general leadership.
The Dates:
Session 1: July 7–9
Session 2: July 14–16
Interested? Please fill out our interest form below. We use this to learn more about your "spark" so we can try to match you with activities that fit your specific skills and interests. https://forms.gle/e9hoDhSjsh31km3B7
Thanks for helping us make these camps possible for our younger members!
Kelly Dione
Washington County 4-H Educator
kelly.dione@wisc.edu
(office) 262-335-4799
🍀 Apply for a Washington County 4-H Leaders Board Scholarship 🍀
Scholarship opportunities are available to any active or past Washington County 4-H club member with at least 5 years of 4-H club membership (not including Cloverbud years), and who was an achieving 4-H member as determined by their club. Questions? Contact WCLA4HScholarship@gmail.com
Washington County 4-H Leaders Association will award up to $12,000 in scholarships
Application deadline: April 15, 2026
Scholarship interviews will be Monday evening, May 11, 2026
Complete rules and instructions are included in the application packet
Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 19–25 , 2026
Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our Washington County 4-H club and projects. This month, we invite you to give a “shout-out” to your favorite 4-H volunteer in appreciation for all they do on our private facebook group page: Washington County, WI 4-H
Upcoming Opportunities - State/National
Upcoming Opportunities - State/National
Discover your pathway to your future!
Join with young people in grades 8-11 from across the state at Summer Academy at UW-Madison
June 14-18, 2026
Multiple track options to choose from
Experience life in a residence hall
Explore Campus
Learn from experts and professionals
A registration fee of $150 covers all lodging, meals, track participation, and transportation. Statewide bussing to and from the event will be offered for an additional fee.
Learn more at go.wisc.edu/4HSummerAcademy!
4-H Beyond Wisconsin: Exploring the Midwest: February 2027
This is an unforgettable Wisconsin 4-H travel experience designed for middle school students in grades 6–8. Over President’s Day weekend in February 2027, youth will journey from Wisconsin to St. Louis, Missouri, by coach bus for an adventure that blends fun, learning, and cultural discovery. Along the way, participants will explore science museums, art centers, and enjoy live music and performances, all while sampling local flavors like St. Louis-style barbecue. The experience kicks off Thursday evening with an overnight stay at a camp facility in Illinois, where students will engage in teambuilding activities and build relationships with peers from across Wisconsin. After a weekend of hands-on, interactive experiences in STEM, art, music, and regional culture, along with two nights in a St. Louis hotel, the youth will ride through the night on Sunday and return home Monday morning with memories to last a lifetime. This is more than a travel experience, it’s a chance to spark curiosity, build connections, and see the Midwest in a whole new way!
This is a great opportunity for youth to take the first steps toward independence: staying overnight in a new place away from home. Use this program as a stepping stone for other overnight educational travel experiences.
https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/beyond-wisconsin-exploring-the-midwest/
These Zoom sessions for middle school and high school youth and their families are interactive, and include guest speakers discussing careers, information about wildlife and forestry competitions, and resources available to learn more. Questions? Email wi4hwildlifeforestry@gmail.com
These Zoom sessions for grades K-5 through elementary school youth and their families are interactive and include wildlife, forestry, wildlife art, and more. Questions? Email wi4hwildlifeforestry@gmail.com
STEAM GAZE: A Creative Fusion of Art & Science!
STEAM GAZE is a full-day, hands-on learning experience for curious and creative youth in grades 3–5, where art and science come together through interactive workshops led by educators and mentors. Cost is only $10/youth, with two different sessions to choose from:
April 25; 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m, at Marathon County Extension Office, Wausau, WI
May 16; 9:30 a.m – 3:00 p.m, Kellogg PEAK Initiative, Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin 4-H announces the 2026 photography contest
All active 4-H members grades 3-13 can enter.
Contest opens March 1, and closes April 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Contest guidelines and how to upload your photo will be available through the your family 4HOnline account.
Project Updates
Project Updates
4-H projects are in full swing! See the 4-H Calendar and our website project pages for countywide project meeting information.
Let your child’s project leader know if your child will miss a meeting! Our volunteer leaders make 4-H youth development possible, and without them there would be no project meetings in Washington County. Please be respectful of our 4-H project leaders’ time, and let them know if your child will be missing a meeting.
Swine registration day: April 25
Swine registration day: April 25
Room 1113 A/B, Public Agency Center, 333 E Washington St, West Bend
8am-10am
More info: Swine Project Resources
Sheep registration day: April 25
Sheep registration day: April 25
Room 1113 A/B, Public Agency Center, 333 E Washington St, West Bend
8am-10am
More info: Sheep Project Resources
Knitting Project updates
Due to low attendance numbers, the remaining regularly scheduled knitting project meetings at the Public Agency Center have been canceled. Countywide knitting project leaders Julie and Kim remain available to answer any knitting questions you may have, or to set up in-person meetings if requested.
Julie Gdowski
414-640-1430
Kim Belger
Looking for Countywide Project info?
Washington County 4-H Projects on our website, for meeting & project leader contact information
Washington County 4-H Calendar lists dates/times for many countywide project meetings
Washington County 4-H Shooting Sports forms, SignUp Genius links, and information on all Shooting Sports projects
Club News
Club News
Wayne Crusaders
Wayne Crusaders held another great monthly meeting. Swine and cake decorating project demonstrations made our meeting full of fun and learning. Youth also enjoyed a great ice breaker game of "rock, paper, scissors" then ended the evening finishing our blankets to donate to Washington County Foster Closet.
Submitted by Wayne Crusaders 4-H Club
Kirchhayn Trotters
March
After our club meeting this month, the St Patty’s Day Party committee hosted a wonderful event with green milk, find the gold coins and pin the pot ’o gold on the rainbow. With little goodies and prizes, this party was a simple crowd pleaser.
Submitted by Reagan Gray, Club Reporter
4-H General Reminders
4-H General Reminders
Questions About 4-H?
Are you overwhelmed trying to learn about all that 4-H has to offer? Where do you turn? Your 4-H Club Leader is a great resource. In addition, the Washington County 4-H website has lots of information on countywide events, projects, 4-H opportunities, etc. Be sure to visit the website frequently. You can access it at: https://washington.extension.wisc.edu/welcome-to-4-h/. In addition, this monthly newsletter that you are reading right now -- called the Cloverline -- is a great resource.
You are also always welcome to connect with the 4-H Office! Here is how to contact us https://washington.extension.wisc.edu/welcome-to-4-h/#4Hoffice
May Cloverline submission deadline is Friday, April 24, 2026
We welcome your submissions for the Cloverline newsletter!! Please upload your articles and photos to Cloverline Newsletter Submission or send to karen.girard@wisc.edu. NOTE: if you are submitting photos of 4-H youth, please include their names; if the photo includes non-4-H youth, please include a parental media release form for each non-4-H youth in the photo.
The 4-H Cloverline is published monthly on the 4th Monday. Article submission deadline is the Friday before.
Adults must be approved volunteers to be actively leading projects or working with 4-H youth.
If you are not a current, approved volunteer this year, please complete your enrollment, screening, and/or trainings NOW. Questions about your enrollment or status? Log into your 4HOnline account to check status OR call the Extension office at 262-335-4478.
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