Each Club will have special activities throughout the year. In addition, there are county-wide events that 4-H members may participate in. The listing below is only a partial listing. Many other project-related activities and events are held annually. All events are listed in the Clover Connection newsletter.
Iowa/Grant/Lafayette County Camp – Camp is held in June at Upham Woods 4-H Outdoor Living Center near Wisconsin Dells. 4-H Members in grades 3-7 enjoy camp experience, where they learn about nature and living with people while having fun. Camp is normally 2 night and 3 days. Older 4-H members serve as camp counselors. Parents and 4-H volunteers serve as camp chaperones. Camp staff and adults supervise the camp.
Project Learning Day Programs – There are designed to give 4-H members hands-on experience with a 4-H project. A variety of presenters give hints, conduct activities, and involve youth in a half-day program scheduled in February and July.
National 4-H Week – The first full week in October is set aside each year to recognize and promote 4-H across the country. Each year, a theme highlights the week. Special activities may take place during this week within your community or your club.
Clothing Preview – Members enrolled in the clothing project can enter the Clothing Revue. In August, members can show off their sewing and purchasing skills. 4-Hers sew or purchase garments and model them for a judge who looks at the color, style, and accessories as well as the construction of the garment. Ribbons are received. Outstanding members are selected from the junior and senior division. The top older members will be selected to represent the county at the State Fair.
Foods Review – Youth enrolled in the Foods and Nutrition project enter the Foods Review, which is typically held in August. Youth prepare a food item, plan a menu, and arrange a place setting to match the meal. Participants should be prepared to answer questions about the preparation, serving, and/or nutritional quality of their exhibit(s). Ribbons are awarded.
Officer Training – This is held annually for club officers to give ideas and helpful hints about their roles and responsibilities for their officer position at the club level.
Day in the Arts – Co-hosted by Iowa and Lafayette Counties, Day in the Arts provides an opportunity for 4-Hers to showcase their creative talents through music, speech, demonstrations, visual arts, and photography. This event is usually the first Sunday in March. Ribbons are received.
Citizen Washington Focus Trip – This trip is conducted by the National 4-H Foundation in Washington, DC for youth grades 10-12. Listening, learning, sharing, receiving, caring, and touring are all part of the 6-day learning experience. Visits to Capital Hill, government departments, historic sites, and memorials to great Americans enhance the citizenship learning experience. An application is required if interested in this opportunity, and you take part in an interview process by the Leaders Council.
Key Award – The Key Award is given to outstanding 4-H members each year in 9th grade or older with three years enrollment in the 4-H and one year in the youth leadership project. The purpose of the Key Award is to provide special recognition to 4-H members who have shown consistent growth in their 4-H program, who have developed leadership abilities, and who have been helpful members in their club and community. Each recipient will also receive a pin, key award certificate mounted in a frame, and a disc for their 4-H awards banner. An application is required if you are interested, and you take part in an interview process by the Leaders Council.
Wisconsin 4-H & Youth Conference – Youth grades 8-10 have a chance to learn from and exchange ideas with 4-Hers from around the state and experience a supervised college setting. An application is required if interested, and you take part in an interview process by the Leaders Council.
4-H Ambassadors are youth who have completed 8th grade to 12th grade who promote 4-H in the county and help at special events throughout the year. Youth who are interested in being an Ambassador complete an application, participate in an interview, and attend a banquet in July.
Dairy and Livestock Judging Teams meet on a regular basis in the spring to learn how to evaluate dairy animals or swine, beef, and sheep. Youth learn communication and decision-making skills and expand their knowledge of the dairy and livestock projects. These teams then participate in Area Animal Science Days with other county teams.
Horse Bowl and Horse Judging are events for youth in the horse project. Practices are held to learn everything about horses. The Horse Bowl team participates at the State Horse Bowl contest in May. The Horse Judging Team participates at Area Animal Science Days and at the State Horse Judging Contest.
State Horse Expo is held each year in September in Milwaukee, including a horse show, Model Horse, speaking, judging, and other activities.
Area Animal Science Days is a district event where the 4-H Dairy, Livestock, and Horse Judging teams compete. AASD includes competition, education, and an opportunity to meet youth from throughout Southern Wisconsin. Winning individuals and teams may compete at state contests.
The Iowa County Fair is the highlight of the year for many 4-Hers. This event provides an opportunity for youth to exhibit or display the projects they have worked on all year. Each project is judged, and suggestions are given to the exhibitors. The Iowa County Fair is held on Labor Day weekend at the fairgrounds in Mineral Point. Project entry deadline is August 1st. The 4-H Horse Show is held the weekend before the fair.
Achievement Day, held in November each year, provides an opportunity for 4-Hers to be recognized for their project work. A large number of awards are given based on club activities and attendance, the 4-H record book, and leaders’ recommendations. 4-H record books are a place for 4-H members to record what they learn and do with their 4-H projects. These are due in September to the general leader.
The Wisconsin State Fair is held each year in August and is an opportunity for youth to exhibit project work or to participate in state groups. Livestock exhibitors and others join the fun at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee.
2022 4-H Application for Educational Experience Funding and Awards (due September 30, 2022)
Graduating Scholarships – The Iowa County 4-H Leaders Association sponsors a scholarship for members who are graduating from the 4-H program. Scholarship applicants must have been an Iowa County 4-H member for three years prior to graduation, be a 4-H member in good standing, and demonstrate a positive attitude, leadership skills, and responsibility. Youth are eligible for 4-H membership one year after graduating from high school. Applications, along with one adult recommendation, are due to the Extension Office by September 30.
Click here to download the 2022 Graduating Scholarship application: PDF Version Word Version
