We are looking forward to summer and the opportunities the warmer months provide to bring key educational programming to our 4-H members. We’re excited for food stands, fairs, club activities, and other events planned for June and beyond. Below is some guidance for summer programming. It will be effective on June 1, 2021.

Summer Guidance

• Participant totals for in-person events are limited to 350 maximum or no more than 50% of total room capacity (whichever is lower) with physical distancing enforced.
• Participant totals for outdoor events are up to 500 people.
• There are no time limits on one-day events. Pods are not routinely required.
• Indoor food consumption is allowed at events longer than two hours, following CDC school lunchroom guidance for social distancing, minimizing time with masks removed, and hygiene.
• Food sampling and food fundraisers are allowed, please follow specific program guidance for safety guidance.
• Face coverings are required indoors and outdoors anytime that social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained.

*Pre-approvals are required for events that do not meet the above criteria

Upham Woods in Juneau County, will be open for day-use programming to 4-H members this summer. Extension will follow American Camp Association (ACA) recommendations for all camps across the state, such as grouping participants and requiring facial coverings, except when eating and sleeping. Extension will also follow American Camp Association (ACA) recommendations for transportation, with distancing and facial covering use.

We will continue to update this page and our Frequently Asked Questions. We will also continue to communicate with our staff, volunteers and members regarding COVID-19 conditions and how that might affect any programming.

Here are some of the cool things happening this summer:

Animal Handling/Showing

Dairy Judging – Teams will choose one of the two dates and locations listed below.

June 16 – Dairy Judging – Marathon County

June 22 – Dairy Judging – Jefferson County

Junior and Senior Divisions will run at the same time, unlike Livestock judging plan as listed below.

Dairy judging events at each site above will act as qualifying events for the State Dairy Judging Contest.

Bookmark and check back to this website for updates.

Livestock Judging – only one contest for 2021

June 22 – Jefferson County

We plan to run an AM Session for Senior Division teams and a PM Session for Junior Division teams.

This contest will also serve as the state qualifier for senior teams to move onward to the national competition.

Bookmark and check back to this website for updates.

Meats Judging

Meats judging will occur sometime in June.

This contest will also serve as the state qualifier for senior teams to move onward to the national competition.

Bookmark and check back to this website for updates.

Horse Events

WI 4-H Horse Education Day (Horse Bowl and Hippology)- Entries must be postmarked by June 1st

Date: June 21, 2021

Location: Dodge County Fairgrounds, N6885 High Point Rd., Beaver Dam, WI 53916

Check-in time: 8:30am

Contest starts: 9:00am

You must be pre-registered to attend. Registration forms are found in the WI 4-H Horse Handbook (scroll down to “Education Days”)

Please note: One coach and one additional adult from each team will be allowed in the room with the team during the actual contest. No extra audience members will be able to watch. Bring along: Your own lawn chairs. Also, there will be no food stand on the grounds.

Virtual State 4-H Horse Speaking and Demo Contest – Entry Submission Deadline June 1, 2021

The entry forms and more information about the WI State 4-H Horse Virtual Speaking and Demo Contest are located in the WI 4-H Horse Handbook. Scroll down to “Education Days – Hippology, Horse Bowl, Speaking and Demonstration” and you will find information there. The registration form is located on the second page of the “WI 4-H Horse Education Days Registration Form.” Looking for more information and category rules? Find them in “4-H Horse Educational Guidelines” (also located in the handbook) or on this page.

State 4-H Hunt and Dressage Show – Entries must be postmarked by June 1st

Dates: June 25, 26, and 27, 2021

Location: Sheboygan County Fairgrounds

You must be pre-registered to attend.

Looking for forms? All forms are located in the WI 4-H Horse handbook (scroll down to “Hunt and Dressage Show”).

Save the date: WI State Adult and Youth Horse Association Meeting

Date: August 23, 2021

Location: Holiday Inn & Suites, Rothschild 715-355-1111

Meeting Times:

Committee Meetings, 6:00 pm

Youth Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

Adult Association Meeting, 7:00 pm

Find more information on this page.

Fair Participation

Fairs will be held in Summer 2021, this is what we’re doing to support our members and clubs.

Shooting Sports

Every year hundreds of 4-H members participate in Statewide Invitational shooting sports events across Wisconsin. The 13 annual statewide events teach youth responsible equipment handling, build self-confidence, shape appreciation for sportsmanship, and foster friendships with those who share a passion for shooting sports. Unfortunately, 2020 was an exception and these skills-for-life events came to a halt during the pandemic. However, this hasn’t stopped the exceptional volunteers who make the Wisconsin 4-H Shooting Sports program the great educational experience it has become. Plans are moving forward for a 2021 summer event to reunite the 4-H Shooting Sports families. These exceptional volunteers who host the 13 Statewide Invitational events are partnering to hold an Invitational featuring all shooting sports disciplines with several events in each discipline. This will be the first Statewide Invitational of this size utilizing two shooting sports venues and is a true testimony to the resilience of our shooting sports volunteer leadership, their commitment to youth and their vision to make 2021 an exceptional year. To the hundreds of 4-H Shooting Sports volunteer leaders, thank you for continuing “To Make the Best Better.”

Take & Learn Activities

Take & Learn provides opportunities for young people to learn-by-doing hands on activities. The activities can be done at home or with small groups of family or friends. Take & Learn activities either include easily accessible supplies and directions, or, the materials are provided by Extension educators. In some cases, materials are distributed through schools, pantries, picked-up by participants and in a few cases materials may be mailed. This area of programming is a good that has come from COVID-19. While they will NEVER replace in-person programming, we have learned that 4-H’ers can build the skills to THRIVE using Take & Learn activities. In addition to 4-H members, Take and Learn projects often reach young people that had not engaged in 4-H before.

Virtual Connection

Our Virtual Learning community offers internet based opportunities to engage with others, learn and share. Virtual Learning is reaching youth where they are. Over the last year, 6500 youth participated in 74 activities during the pandemic; 70% of youth said they could only participate because the activities were virtual. Virtual Learning allowed young people to participate in activities that they may not have otherwise had access too, because there are no geographic limits on sharing expertise. In fact, we have had participants from across county, state and other places around out world! Our research shows that young people made real connections even in virtual spaced and young people shared that they enjoyed their learning. Virtual Learning opportunities are posted on the 4-H calendar.

Youth Conference

Youth Conference returns in 2021 on August 24th! This year, we will be hosting a one-day event across the state in multiple locations. Early morning will be a virtual introduction meeting with small sessions during the day at different colleges. A variety of sessions will be offered for participants. More information will be available soon.

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