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
Possible projects: Dairy, Dogs, Horses, Rabbits, Poultry, Goats, Beef, Cats, Cavies (Guinea Pigs)
Arts & Creativity
Possible projects: Photography, Creative Writing, Visual Arts, Knitting, Crocheting, Performing Arts
Science & Technology
Possible projects: Robotics, STEM, Model Rocketry, LEGO, Woodworking
Nature & Outdoors
Possible projects: Gardening, Conservation, Geology, Entomology, Outdoor Recreation, Shooting Sports
Cooking & Home Skills
Possible projects: Foods & Nutrition, Food Decorating, Child Development, Health, Sewing
Leadership & Community Service
Possible projects: 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:
- Cloverbud (grades K5, 1, & 2)
- 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 Countywide 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 |
| Cavies | 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 | |
| Crocheting | 1st & 3rd Weds, January-June; see calendar | TBD | Lisa Shuppe, 262-573-3110, lshuppe@yahoo.com |
| Dairy | TBD | TBD | Extension 4-H Office, 262-335-4478 |
| Geocaching | TBD | TBD | Mike Hartwell 262-305-4036 |
| Goats | March-July, days vary | Wash Co Fair Park | Ginger Knapp, tobinandginger@live.com Buck Lyneis lyneisfamilyemail@gmail.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 | Fair Park | Paul Dean, sleddawg007@gmail.com, or 920-889-1376 Scott Schmidt, schmidtfam1997@gmail.com or 262‐224-6787 |
| Performing Arts & Promotions | One Sat morning/month; see calendar | Public Agency Center | Amanda Moore, perral21@gmail.com Norb Yogerst, nbyogerst@gmail.com Mason Falk, bcmrfalk111@gmail.com |
| 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: Archery | January-March, days & times vary | Fair Park, small animal barn | washingtonco4hshootingsports@gmail.com |
| Shooting Sports: Air Pistol | TBD | Fair Park, small animal barn | washingtonco4hshootingsports@gmail.com |
| Shooting Sports: Air Rifle | January-March, days & times vary | Fair Park, small animal barn | washingtonco4hshootingsports@gmail.com |
| Shooting Sports: Muzzleloading | April & May, days and times TBD | Fair Park, small animal barn | washingtonco4hshootingsports@gmail.com |
| Shooting Sports: Pistol | April & May, days and times TBD | Fair Park, small animal barn | washingtonco4hshootingsports@gmail.com |
| Shooting Sports: Rifle | April & May, days and times TBD | Fair Park, small animal barn | washingtonco4hshootingsports@gmail.com |
| Shooting Sports: Shotgun | April & May, days and times TBD | 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 TBD | Fair Park, small animal barn | washingtonco4hshootingsports@gmail.com |
| Wildlife & Habitat (WHEP & Forestry) | January-April; days & times TBD | Fair Park, small animal barn | washingtonco4hshootingsports@gmail.com |
| Wool Spinning | 2nd & 4th Weds, January-June; see calendar | TBD | 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.
