4-H and Youth
Ready to Trade Snowballs for S’mores?
We’ve got some details to warm up those winter blues!
CAMP DATES
Mark your calendars!
July 6-8 | 4-H Camp | ages 8-11
Aug 18-20 | Outpost Camp | ages 12-19
COUNSELORS WANTED
Apply now to be a 4-H Camp Counselor (ages 14-19) or 4-H Camp Junior Counselor (ages 12-13).
Adult chaperones also needed.
July 6-8
Calling All Builders: The LEGO Brick Build Challenge is Here!
It’s time to dig into your brick collection and let your creativity shine! We are excited to announce the first installment of our statewide LEGO Brick Build Challenge series, inviting participants, youth and adults, from across the state to showcase their skills.
This Month’s Topic: Build Your Spark
In 4-H, a “spark” is that special interest or passion that makes you come alive. Whether it’s science, art, animals, or sports, we want to see you represent your passion using nothing but bricks!
How to Enter: The challenge is open to both youth and adults. You can participate as an individual or as a team. To enter, visit https://go.wisc.edu/mxa8pj and submit your entry by the deadline.
Submission Guidelines:
- Submit one entry per individual or team.
- Include up to three photos of your model from different perspectives.
- Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026
- Viewing Party with Prizes: April 12, 2026
We can’t wait to see your “sparks” come to life. Happy building!
Foods & Clothing Revue
Multi-County Foods & Clothing Revue
March 29, 2pm, UW-ECBC campus commons in Rice Lake
Youth can enter a food item they’ve made, do a demonstration related to food, make an outfit, or purchase an outfit, and model it.
Kids compete with youth in their same division but can be from different counties. This year we will have two judges, one for Foods and one for Clothing, which will make the event flow better than in the past.
View more details at Barron County’s 4-H website.
Cultural Arts Fest
Get Ready! Cultural Arts Fest is just around the corner.
Sunday, April 12, 1-4pm
Location: Pending
CONTEST REGISTRATION LINKS:
Deadline to register is March 15
Program Summary
Event: Summer Academy
Grades: 8-11
Location: UW-Madison
Dates: Sunday, June 14 through Thursday, June 18, 2026
Registration: Registration will open March 6, 2026 via 4-H Online
Cost: The Summer Academy experience fee is $150.
Summer Academy is the Positive Youth Development Institute’s signature career, leadership, & college readiness conference hosted at UW-Madison. The event focuses on preparing young people (grades 8-11) for higher education in a way that complements formal education prep programs. Summer Academy offers an immersive college experience; participants will experience life in a residence hall, explore campus, and enjoy the unique elements of higher ed that only Madison can offer.
This year’s theme is The Quest; Summer Academy participants will answer the call to adventure across the UW-Madison campus and explore their next steps in their career and college readiness journey! They will choose between exploratory tracks that introduce them to a variety of different Sparks and activities, core tracks that allow them to explore an area of interest in-depth, or an Advanced Art Track where youth will focus deeply on a specific area of arts.
Exploratory Tracks (Grades 8–10) Theme: Experiential Learning Best for first-time delegates. This track is designed for youth who are looking to learn about a number of career pathways and discover new interests. As the name suggests, it is a place where you can explore your future through hands-on learning experiences in a variety of content areas—from Science, Agriculture, and Game Design to Communications, LEGOs, and the Visual & Performing Arts. Each youth will participate in 3 or more different workshops in each track to get a broad taste of what is available. Workshops are grouped into three career areas so that youth will get a variety of experiences. Track Options include:
- Exploratory Track Adventure: Leadership, Performing Arts, Entrepreneurship
- Exploratory Track Expedition: Legos, Climate & Weather, Visual Arts
- Exploratory Track Voyage: Agriculture, Science, Gaming
- Exploratory Track Journey: Dance, Computer Animation/Basic Coding, Education
Core Tracks (Grades 9–11) Theme: Career and College Readiness Best for returning delegates. These tracks are designed for youth who have attended before or who are starting to have specific ideas about their future. Rather than rotating through many topics, youth in Core Tracks will focus on a specific area for 1.5 days, interacting with professionals in the field. Track options include:
- Culinary Arts (Madison College)
- Automotive (Madison College)
- Construction Trades (Madison College)
- Civic Engagement
- Agribusiness
- Artificial Intelligence
- Health & Wellness
New! Advanced Academy (Grade 11) Theme: Career and College Readiness Best for youth ready to transition to college or a career. The Advanced Academy is for older youth looking to take a deep dive into career exploration by working alongside professional educators and practitioners. Participants will spend 15–20 hours working hands-on in the field. For example, a group might work in the Textiles Lab at the UW-Madison School of Human Ecology to create a project while studying fabric technology and sustainability. Small groups of 6–8 youth will work with a track leader to build skills and make connections with UW-Madison faculty and students.
This year’s Advanced Academy will focus on the arts.
Ready for Work, Ready for Life. Youth will also develop life skills, like teambuilding and communication with Outdoor UW, navigating public transportation and the University with a scavenger hunt, connecting with student services and recreation options at RecWell and beyond, and hearing from dynamic keynote speakers.
Our State Ambassadors will lead evening programs, workshops, and other opportunities to connect.
The registration fee covers all lodging, meals, track participation, and transportation. Statewide bussing to and from the event will be offered for an additional fee.
For more information, please visit go.wisc.edu/4HSummerAcademy … We can’t wait to see you in Madison!
4-H Calendar of Events
4-H Events, News, and Activities
Burnett County 4-H Clubs
Clubs and Contacts
All Meeting dates/times are subject to change. Contact a club leader to confirm meeting dates, times, and locations.
Jolly H’s – Grantsburg area, Contact: Grace Glover 715-919-3742
Branstad Bucks – Grantsburg Area, Contact: Tessa Zeller 715-566-2685
Wood Creek – Siren Area, Contact: Marge Peterson at 715-349-2844 or Sheryl Stiemann at 715-653-4140
Wisconsin 4-H Project Resources
Please contact the Extension office for information about Burnett County 4-H project volunteers and resources.
Youth Involvement
Cloverbuds
Youth in grades K-2 are 4-H Cloverbuds. They explore 4-H through hands-on activities and participating with members.
Cloverbuds: Learn More
Youth in grades K-2 are unique, special, and wonderful. Activities in the Cloverbud Project are designed to meet their needs at an age-appropriate level while having fun with hands-on, engaging activities. Some of the activities a youth can try with the Wisconsin 4-H Cloverbud project include:
- Experimenting with science, technology, engineering, and math
- Exploring their creative side with theater and visual arts
- Diving into animal and plant science
- Learning about themselves and others
- Giving back to their communities through service projects
- Many more activities
4-H Members
4-H Youth in grades 3-13 (one-year post-HS graduation) can choose the projects they are involved in.
Members: Learn More
4-H Youth in grades 3-13 (one-year post-HS graduation) are able to choose the projects they are involved in. Not all project areas have project volunteers in Burnett County. But many do. Please explore the Projects page for county-specific project groups. Additional information is posted in newsletters, via email, and on the event calendar.
4-H Projects are specific areas of interest for 4-H members and volunteers. Projects cover a wide variety of topics from animals, science, arts, and beyond. Explore the different project areas below and find more information on a project that you are interested in!
Burnett County Award Guidelines
Check out the Wisconsin 4-H Project Guide for a complete list.
Youth Leaders
4-H members can enroll as youth leaders in project areas or serve in leadership roles in their clubs.
Youth Leaders: Learn More
There are many opportunities for youth to serve as leaders in 4-H. They can serve as youth representatives on the Leaders Council or in their clubs. They can also serve as youth project leaders. We also have a team of youth at the Middle and High School levels who meet throughout the year to plan activities and complete service projects. Contact the Extension office to get involved.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Have an interest in promoting 4-H
- Have a positive, enthusiastic attitude
- Be a good role model for younger members
- Be responsible, accountable, dedicated and willing to follow through on responsibilities
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT?
- New Friendships and Lots of Fun
- Marketable skills such as leadership, communication and teamwork
- Great experience for college applications and resumes
How to Join Burnett County 4-H
Youth and volunteers can join 4-H anytime. However, some projects have deadlines that might affect eligibility for certain things, such as fair participation. Current members should re-enroll in September each year but can complete their membership anytime.
Information about Joining Burnett County 4-H
Re-Enrollment- Begins in September, but you can become a member at any time.
**If you enroll late in the 4-H year, there might be some missed requirements for certain project areas.
Resources for Enrollment:
Enrollment Website Address: https://wi.4honline.com
New to 4-H and Interested in Joining? It’s easy. Just follow the steps below!
Step One
Look at the Burnett County 4-H Map and find clubs that are in your area. You may directly contact the club leaders to find out when the club meets, what the club expectations are, how many members the club currently has and their ages, etc., to help you decide which club would best fit your family. When you decide on a club, let the leader know you are interested in attending their next club meeting and confirm the time and place. If you need help, call us at the Extension office or email beth.rank@wisc.edu
Step Two
Look through the project guide and determine which projects you are listed in. You can pick as many projects as you want; some are supported by volunteers, and some are on your own. Just because you sign up does not mean you are required to complete it. Projects should represent what you show at the fair.
Step Three
- Log on to https://wi.4honline.com. You must sign up as a new family, enroll each new 4-H member, and volunteer separately. Adults only need to enroll if they want to be official volunteers.
- PDF Member- Enrollment Alternative
Step Four
You will receive an email confirming your registration request. When county staff approves you in the 4-H online system, you will receive an official email recognizing your confirmed enrollment status. Becoming an adult volunteer involves a few more steps, including Orientation training, online Mandated Reporter Training, and a background check.
Age categories as youth grow with 4-H explained:
Cloverbuds: Youth in grades K-2 or five years old as of September 1st of the Kindergarten year. Cloverbuds are enrolled solely in Cloverbud projects.
Members: Youth in grades three and up to one-year post-graduation can participate as regular members.
**Grade is determined by registration into the school district during the 4-H enrollment period. When a child exhibits at the fair, they are enrolled under the grade they just completed, not the grade they will enter in the Fall after the fair. Types of Membership
Types of Membership
Community Club Membership
As community club members, youth choose a club to join and meet with others throughout the year. Each club has a club leader who regularly communicates with members, and in most community clubs, youth officers are elected to guide the club’s activities. Burnett County has 4 active 4-H Clubs. Club sizes range from 5 members to 30 members! Families can join any club anytime or start a new one! In addition to club activities, members can also choose to participate in organized projects, groups, and individual efforts.
Volunteer
Volunteers help make 4-H possible. 4-H volunteers work with staff to deliver educational programs in nearly 100 project areas and provide additional opportunities for youth and families!
Charters
Fair Information
- 914 South Pine Street, Grantsburg, Wisconsin, USA
Contacts: Demo Derby Scott Doornink 715-222-2426 Jeremy Scheider 715-431-0201 Lemon Races Jon Gardner 715-371-1577 Tractor Pull Chad Meyer 715-791-0880 Truck Pull JD Glover 715-440-5201 Parade Kelly Gerber 715-463-3456 ksg@communitybankwi.com Horse Show Char Behr King 715-338-1268 Tractor Show Jeff Chell 715-566-0159
Burnett County Agricultural Fair
Leaders Association
Meetings occur on the 3rd Monday of every month at the Burnett County Government Center.
Meetings are at 7:00 PM.
NO MEETING IN NOVEMBER. – The meeting is combined with the Annual meeting that occurs on November 17th.
Award Information
Award Guidelines – MS Word format, PDF format
Awards Recommendation Form – MS Word format, PDF format
Awards Committee Reporting Form – MS Word format, PDF format
Club Achievement Form – MS Word format, PDF format
Club Awards Form – MS Word format, PDF format
Club Member Participation Checklist
Community Service Award Form – MS Word format, PDF format
Volunteer of the Year Nomination Form – MS Word format, PDF format
Award Trip Forms
The Burnett County 4-H Trip Awards Packet contains:
- What trips are available, and the qualifications needed to receive a trip
- 4-H Trip Award Application Checklist
- Sample Cover Letter
- Sample Resume
- Interview and Key Award Questions
- Scoring Guide for the Award Trip Interview
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you have more questions after reading the FAQ, contact Beth Rank or call her at the office at 715-349-2151.