Choosing 4-H Projects
Good to Know
- Members in grades 3 and up may enroll in any project that interests them, even if a countywide or club project leader is not currently available.
- Projects do not require previous experience.
- Some projects have countywide leaders.
- Clubs may offer additional project leadership.
- Projects without leaders can still be completed independently with family support and 4-H resources.
Quick Links
Before You Start
There are three ways youth participate in projects:
- Countywide projects with volunteer leaders and educational activities.
- Club-level projects offered by your 4-H club.
- Independent projects completed with family support and 4-H resources.
Youth may enroll in any project, regardless of whether a project leader is currently available.
Start Here
How do I choose a project for my child?
Consider:
- What does my child enjoy doing?
- Do they like animals, science, art, cooking, or being outdoors?
- Do they want to learn a new skill or build on an existing interest?
- How much time can they dedicate to a project?
Don't worry about choosing the "perfect" project.
As youth grow and develop new interests, project selections may change from year to year.
My child enjoys…
Animals
Dairy, Dogs, Horses, Rabbits, Poultry, Goats, Beef, Cats, Cavies (Guinea Pigs)
Arts & Creativity
Photography, Creative Writing, Visual Arts, Knitting, Crocheting, Performing Arts
Science & Technology
Robotics, STEM, Model Rocketry, LEGO, Woodworking
Nature & Outdoors
Gardening, Conservation, Geology, Entomology, Outdoor Recreation, Shooting Sports
Cooking & Home Skills
Foods & Nutrition, Food Decorating, Child Development, Health, Sewing
Leadership & Community Service
Communications, Workforce Readiness, History & Heritage, Civic Engagement
Popular Projects for New Members
Not sure where to start? These projects are popular with first-year members:
- Photography
- LEGO Building
- Food Decorating
- Archery
- Visual Arts
- Poultry
- Woodworking
How many projects should my child take?
- Cloverbud members (grades K5, 1, and 2) take just one project: Cloverbud
- For members in grades 3 and up, there is no minimum or maximum number of projects, but it is usually best to start with a manageable number that fits your family’s schedule.
🍀 Every great journey starts with one opportunity.🍀
Need Help Choosing?
The Washington County 4-H team can help families identify projects that match their child’s interests and goals.
Contact the 4-H Office: 262-335-4478 or ron.jakubisin@wisc.edu
More Details…
| Project | Meeting Days/Times | Meeting Location | Contact Project Leader(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basketry | February-June; dates & times vary; see calendar | Public Agency Center | Nancy Schulz, 262-334-5723 |
| Cake Decorating | February-June; dates & times vary; see calendar | Varies | Megan Ohland, cakedecoratingwashcowi@gmail.com |
| Cavy | February-July; dates & times vary; see calendar | Varies | Shannon Heinritz, 262-875-8273, Shannon.Heinritz@gmail.com |
| Clowning, 4-H Promotion, & Community Service | TBD, see calendar | TBD | Norb Yogerst, nbyogerst@gmail.com |
| Crocheting | 2 Weds/month, January-June; see calendar | Public Agency Center | Lisa Shuppe, 262-573-3110, lshuppe@yahoo.com |
| Dairy | TBD | TBD | Extension 4-H Office, 262-335-4478 |
| Dairy Goats | March-June, days vary | Wash Co Fair Park | Ginger Knapp, tobinandginger@live.com |
| Horse, includes Horseless Horse & Model Horse | Varies; see calendar | Wash Co Fair Park | washingtoncountyhpp@gmail.com |
| Knitting | Varies; see calendar | Public Agency Center | Julie Gdowski julie.g1430@gmail.com Kim Belger kimh234@yahoo.com |
| Leathercraft | Varies; see calendar | Public Agency Center | Rob Schowalter, schowalter4@sbcglobal.net Melissa Kescenovitz, melkescenovitz@gmail.com |
| Llamas | Varies; see calendar | Fair Park | Bonnie Kreif, 262-483-3708 Vicky Peters, 262-224-3538 |
| Model Rocketry | One Sat morning/month; see calendar | TBD | Scott Schmidt, schmidtfam1997@gmail.com or 262‐224-6787 Paul Dean, pjdean23@outlook.com Jane Dean, pjdean23@outlook.com |
| Performing Arts | One Sat morning/month; see calendar | Public Agency Center | |
| Photography | TBD, see calendar | TBD | Donna Gross, adgrossx5@gmail.com or 262-707-5730 Photography Website- https://sites.google.com/view/wcwi4-hphotographyproject |
| Poultry | TBD, see calendar | TBD | Tina Steinhagen 262-844-2412 windyhills01@gmail.com Lee Delcore delcorelee@gmail.com 414-418-3706 |
| Rabbit | TBD, see calendar | TBD | Michelle Thoma 262-442-5132 shellbell5976@yahoo.com |
| Robotics | TBD, see calendar | TBD | Stephanie Hartwell 262-343-5834 shartwell8@gmail.com |
| Sewing: Clothing | January-May; Sat afternoons; see calendar | Public Agency Center | Susan Jahn 262-677-3397 curt.sue.jahn@gmail.com |
| Shooting Sports, includes Air Pistol, Air Rifle, Archery, Muzzleloading, Pistol, Rifle, & Shotgun | January-May; days & times vary-see webpage | Fair Park, small animal barn | washingtonco4hshootingsports@gmail.com |
| STEM | TBD | MPTC, West Bend | kelly.dione@wisc.edu |
| Swine | TBD | TBD | Josh Hawig (swine superintendent) (262)-707-8723 jah11horns32@yahoo.com |
| Weather | Tuesdays in spring; dates & times vary-see webpage | Fair Park, small animal barn | washingtonco4hshootingsports@gmail.com |
| Wildlife & Habitat (WHEP & Forestry) | January-April; days & times vary-see webpage | Fair Park, small animal barn | washingtonco4hshootingsports@gmail.com |
| Wool Spinning | 2 Weds/month, January-June; see calendar | Public Agency Center | Lisa Shuppe, 262-573-3110, lshuppe@yahoo.com |
Still Need Help Deciding? Talk to
- Your Club Leader
- Other 4-H families
- Ron Jakubisin, Washington County 4-H Educator: 262-335-4478 or ron.jakubisin@wisc.edu
Even More Details…State 4-H Resources
The Wisconsin 4-H Project Guide gives youth and families a chance to explore all the projects Wisconsin 4-H has to offer.
The Wisconsin 4-H website offers abundant information on all the projects available to our Washington County families.
