4-H Club Officer Training is October 29

Have you been elected to a club officer role and need a little help with the role? Are you looking for tools that will help you as an officer? Are you a member that is interested in being an officer in the future? Or maybe you are an adult volunteer that is looking for ways to help club officers?

We invite you to join us on Thursday, October 29, at 6pm, at the Washington County Fair Park for our annual Club Officer training. Registration is required so we have enough materials prepared for everyone.

Questions? Contact 4-H educator Ron Jakubisin at ron.jakubisin@wisc.edu or 262-335-4862

4-H Club Leader Meeting is October 29

All 4-H club leaders are invited to attend the Countywide 4-H Club Leader Meeting taking place during the Youth Officer Training at Washington County Fair Park. This is a great opportunity to stay informed about county and state 4-H updates, learn about upcoming programs and events, share ideas with other leaders, and ask questions. Your input helps shape the future of our county 4-H program, and we encourage at least one representative from each club to attend. We hope to see you there!

Questions? Contact 4-H educator Ron Jakubisin at ron.jakubisin@wisc.edu or 262-335-4862

NEW! 4-H Project Learning Labs for Adult Project Leaders

Are you an adult volunteer who leads or helps with a 4-H project? Join our new online workshop series designed to give project leaders ideas, activities, and resources to help bring 4-H projects to life.

No previous experience is needed. All adult project leaders and volunteers are welcome. Sign up for one, some, or all the sessions. The same registration link is used for all sessions.

Upcoming Sessions

• October 21, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. | Animals
• November 19, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. | LEGO
• December 16, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. | Art
• January 21, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. | STEAM
• February 25, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. | Youth Leadership
• March 24, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. | Cloverbuds
• April 19, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. | Communications

Why attend? Project Learning Labs provide practical ideas, activities, and resources you can use right away in your 4-H project meetings, while connecting with other volunteers from across Washington, Ozaukee, Dodge, Columbia, and Fond du Lac counties.

Join us for the 4-H Science Expedition on Wednesday, November 4, 2026!

Youth in grades 6 and older will spend the day at UW-Madison, exploring real-world science through hands-on learning experiences and interactions with university researchers and STEM professionals.

The morning adventure kicks off with hands-on discovery at the UW Biotechnology Center, where participants step into a Forensic Science Investigation to solve an “Alien Blood” crime scene using micropipettes and gel electrophoresis to analyze DNA evidence. Then, over at the Morgridge Institute for Research, “Fantastic Fruit Flies Help Scientists Learn” takes center stage as students use microscopes and dissection tools to examine fruit fly anatomy and see how the Drummond-Barbosa lab uses model organisms to study metabolism, health, and temperature effects on living things.

After lunch, the exploration continues with interactive afternoon sessions. Participants will dive into a Planetarium Show and Tour of Washburn Observatory to navigate stars, black holes, and the history of astronomy alongside an astronomer at UW–Madison’s historic facility. Finally, at the Wisconsin Energy Institute, the group will explore Agrivoltaics, discovering how solar energy and agriculture combine and experimenting to design the best layout for dual-use land.

Participation is limited to 20 youth, and two approved adult volunteers are needed to serve as chaperones. Transportation will be provided from a central county pick-up location, and the day runs from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

This is a fantastic opportunity for youth to experience campus life, discover exciting areas of science, and explore potential STEM career pathways. Youth who attended last year’s expedition are encouraged to participate again, as the sessions and activities will be different this year.

Watch our website’s 4-H announcements page and your email for registration information and additional event details coming soon.

Please contact Kelly Dione with any questions: kelly.dione@wisc.edu or 262-335-4799.

STEM Sparks Discovery Lab: Spooky Edition

• Who: 4-H members in grades K-5
• When: October 28, 2026 | 6:00-7:00 p.m.
• Where: Zoom
• Register: https://4honline.com/ 

About the Program

Get ready for a spooky evening of hands-on STEM fun! Join engineer Sarah Speck for a live, interactive Zoom session filled with exciting experiments, creative problem-solving, and classic 4-H discovery activities.

Designed for youth in grades K-5, this special Halloween-themed STEM Sparks Discovery Lab will bring science to life right from home in a fun and engaging way.

Please contact Kelly Dione with any questions: kelly.dione@wisc.edu or 262-335-4799.

Stay Connected

STEM Sparks Discovery Lab will continue with a new series beginning in January. Want to be the first to hear about upcoming experiments and registration opportunities? Complete our interest form:

Funding Reimbursement Request for Educational/Leadership Events

Reimbursement for certain educational/leadership events can be requested from the Washington County Leaders Association by filling out a reimbursement request form.

This form can be used for the following events:

• Arts Camp
• Art Beat
• Fall Forum
• Summer Academy
• WI 4-H Youth Conference
• Winter Leadership Conference

Celebrate National 4-H Week, October 4-10

4-H helps young people build leadership skills, give back to their communities, and explore interests like STEM, art, and more. During National 4-H Week, Wisconsin 4-H will celebrate how 4-H prepares youth to be “Beyond Ready” for their future.

Join the celebration by:

• Go Green Day | Monday, October 5
Wear green to show your Wisconsin 4-H spirit.

• Thankful Thursday | Thursday, October 8
Recognize a 4-H member, volunteer, or educator who has made a positive impact.

Help us celebrate the difference 4-H makes in the lives of young people and communities throughout National 4-H Week.

Wisconsin 4-H Opportunities to mark on your calendars

Wisconsin 4-H Ambassador Teams 26-27:

• Application Dates: October 1-November 15, 2026
• Spring Planning Weekend: April 9-11, 2027
• Learn more: State Ambassadors

National Conference 2027:

• Application Dates: October 15-December 1, 2026
• Program Dates: TBD (probably April)
• Learn more: National Conference

Beyond Wisconsin 2027:

• Registration Dates: October 26-November 22, 2026
• Program Dates: February 11-15, 2027
• Learn more: Beyond Wisconsin

American Spirit 2027:

• Application Dates: November 1-30, 2026
• Program Dates: June 25-July 3, 2027
• Learn more: American Spirit

Winter Academy 2027:

• Registration Dates: November 1-29, 2026
• Program Dates: January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 2027
• Learn more: Winter Academy

Space Camp 2027:

• Registration Dates: November 16-December 13, 2026
• Program Dates: April 29-May 3, 2027
• Learn more: Space Camp

Computer station available at the Extension office for 4-H registrations

If you do not have a computer or internet access at home, the Extension office can help. We can provide computer access so you can enroll in 4HOnline or register your children for 4-H programs and activities. Please call or email the Extension office at 262-335-4478 or karen.girard@wisc.edu at least two days ahead of time so 4-H staff can be available to assist you. If you cannot visit the Extension office, many local libraries offer free computer use for library cardholders.

Position open in Washington County for Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps

This is your chance to lead, learn, and serve!

• Make a difference: Help youth learn and grow.
• Gain experience: Build leadership and professional skills.
• Join a community: Work with other members and local partners.
• Earn benefits: Receive a living allowance and education award

Position available:

• Quarter-Time (450 hours)
• Starting Jan-August of 2027

Please share this opportunity with college students and recent high school graduates. Questions? Contact Kelly Dione at kelly.dione@wisc.edu or 262-335-4799.