April 29, 2026
Dear 4-H Leader,
Club Dues
Should be paid by April 30. If you have any questions, please reach out to the office.
Silent Auction
This fundraiser generates thousands of dollars for the Fond du Lac County 4-H Endowment Fund. In turn, the interest from the Endowment Fund supports the activities of 4-H members. Each club is asked to donate an item to the silent auction, volunteer to help man the area, and secure donations from three businesses in your area. Let Cindy Koffman know ahead of time how your club will be involved, so space for auction items may be allocated. Email Cindy at koffman@kmoraine.com. Sign up to help at the auction: go.wisc.edu/49m4rj
Adult Leaders Raffle
The raffle tickets will be distributed to clubs at the April 30 Adult Leaders Meeting. The raffle drawing will take place at the Adult Leaders Meeting on August 19. This is a primary source of money to build programs for our 4-H youth. If a representative from your club will not be at the Leaders meeting, please stop in at the Extension office to pick them up. Tickets are due back to the office on Friday, June 26th. Please issue one check to the Adult Leaders Association for the ticket money collected. Cloverbud Pumpkin seeds will also be distributed at the meeting.
Foods Revue Registration
Registration will open May 1 through 4HOnline under events. All 4-H members in the Foods and Nutrition, Cloverbud, and Exploring projects are invited to participate. Cherries is the Foods Revue theme for 2026!
When: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Where: Marian College
Schedule:
5:00 – 6:00 pm check-in and set up
6:00 – 7:30 pm Judging and Awards
7:30 – Taste of Fond du Lac 4-H
Club Rosters
Do you know who is enrolled in your club? With online enrollments, it is possible to have someone enroll, then not be involved and you never knew they were signed up. To find out who is a member of your club, log into your club leader 4HOnline account. If you have trouble with this, either call or e-mail Sarah at sarah.stevenson@wisc.edu or 920-906-4623. Check over the member list. If someone has not been attending, contact them and invite them to the next event. Youth members must fulfill attendance requirements as established at the club level. As a leader, you must communicate and implement the requirements. Often these are listed in your club bylaws. Anyone who is on your roster is considered an active member of your club, unless you communicate otherwise with them, and then let the Extension Office know.
4-H Friday Newsletter Submissions
Please send your articles and photos at https://go.wisc.edu/2665ok
New Family Fair Orientation
To help new families understand this process better, a new family fair orientation will be held on Wednesday, June 3 at 6:00 pm at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds Rec Center. Topics covered include entering exhibits at the fair, important dates to remember, how judging works at the fair, and answering any questions families may still have. There will also be a short tour of the fairgrounds. Karen Albert, a fair board member and 4-H volunteer, will be leading this orientation. Please Register by Friday, May 29, 2026 at go.wisc.edu/tv23f5
Fair Book Updates
The Fair Premium Book for the Fond du Lac County Fair has been updated for 2026. There are some changes to fair entries – any questions should be directed to the fair office at info@fonddulaccountyfair.com. The book can be found on the fair website: https://www.fonddulaccountyfair.com/p/exhibitor-information
County 4-H Scholarships
Youth in grades 12 or 13 who have been enrolled in 4-H during their senior year in high school and are entering or enrolled in a post high school college/school are eligible to apply for county scholarships. Additional eligibility requirements and the application can be found at https://fonddulac.extension.wisc.edu/4h/awards-scholarships/#scholarships. Applications and recommendation letters are due to the Extension office by May 15.
Urgent Help Needed: 4‑H Adult Leader Food Stand Committee
The 4‑H Adult Leader Food Stand is one of our largest sources of funding for countywide programs, events, and 4‑H scholarships — and right now, we need help to keep it running. We are looking for 4–5 adults (or more!) to join the Committee. Tasks are divided, checklists and past notes exist, and support is built in.
Ways you can help (choose just one!):
- Assist with ordering food or supplies
- Help with money handling (with a partner)
- Submit health department paperwork
- Serve as a fair‑week shift supervisor (help workers, answer questions, jump in as needed)
Even helping with one piece makes a huge difference — and extra hands mean shorter, more manageable commitments for everyone. More details can also be found at fonddulac.extension.wisc.edu/4h-fundraiser-help/.
Without enough volunteers, this fundraiser — and the programs it supports — is at risk.
Please step up or reach out to learn more: Jennifer Ladwig – jaladwig73@hotmail.com or 920-266-8041
Help Us Identify Future 4-H Volunteers
As we head into fair season, we know there are many different ways adults support 4-H — from helping with food stands and committees to stepping into project or activity leadership roles. We’re exploring ways to better support volunteers and are considering offering Project Leader or Activity Volunteer trainings again. Before planning, we need your help.
As General Leaders and long-time 4-H volunteers, you often know which parents or families might be interested in doing more — or who would be a great fit for a specific committee or short-term opportunity. Some parents may want to help but can’t commit to a year-long role, while others may simply need encouragement or more information.
Because Extension staff and committee leaders cannot reach out unless we know who might be interested, we ask that you share this short interest form with parents or families you think may want to get more involved. You’re also welcome to encourage them to complete it themselves.
Survey link: https://forms.gle/cZW7EHwrbbAx43h57
Completing the form does not commit anyone to volunteering — it simply helps us understand interests, availability, and how we can better support adults who want to be involved. Trainings or informational sessions would likely be offered late spring or early summer. Thank you for helping us connect with future 4-H volunteers and leaders!
Project Workshop Committee
Enjoy helping youth build new skills or connecting people with great resources? The Project Workshop Committee is seeking 2–3 volunteers to help plan a few hands-on workshops each year.
Popular project areas in Fond du Lac County include Art, Photography, Dairy, Beef, LEGO, Foods & Nutrition, Woodworking, Poultry, and Drawing & Painting, with additional help needed in Shooting Sports, Sewing, and Crops. Meetings are flexible and held just a few times a year, making this a fun, low-commitment way to support 4-H and make a meaningful impact. We’re looking for 1–2 more committee members. If you know of youth or adults who would be a great fit, please contact Tracy.
Examples of what this committee would help organize:
- Youth Leader Led Art Workshop- April 25, youth will learn painting skills and complete an acrylic canvas painting ready for fair
- Culinary Professional Led Sandwich making workshop- May 16, 9-11 am, youth will learn and create 3 types of different sandwiches
- Youth Leader Led Art Workshop- May TBD, youth will practice drawing skills and complete a drawing ready for fair
Summer Camp Update
There will be a variety of day camp programs offered this summer.We are seeking volunteers who would like to be part of the 2026 Day Camp Committee, planning the camps and/or helping run camp activities. Youth in grades 9-13 can also volunteer as youth leaders. If you know of individuals who would be a great fit, please contact Tracy. Youth have already started signing up for day camps in 4Honline. Camps are held at the Fond du Lac County Campus. More information on camps can be found on the Extension website: https://fonddulac.extension.wisc.edu/events-activities/
Around the World Camp – Pack your bags and grab your passports as we explore different cultures from around the world. Campers will engage in a variety of activities, including sports and geography games, listening to music from different countries, creating cultural crafts, and savoring traditional foods. In addition to these activities, campers will learn about the history, customs, and languages of the countries they visit.
Cloverbud Day Camp is a day camp for youth in grades K5-2. Each day camp focuses on a different topic for the youth to explore, including Foodie Camp, Superheroes in Our Community, and Art.
Cardboard Camp is a multi-day camp for youth in grades 2-8, where youth engineer cardboard creations and participate in team building and leadership exercises. Youth will design a city and use their design to build a model. Youth will construct the model using various materials such as cardboard boxes, paper towel tubes, paper plates, and more. The goal of this effort is to engage young people in leadership roles while learning about science, technology, math, and engineering. This camp runs in the mornings opposite of LEGO camp.
Art Day Camp is a camp for youth in grades 3-8 to learn different art skills. The camp will be three days, and each day focuses on a different art medium. Topics covered include Art-Rageous 2-D Camp, Super Sculptures 3-D Camp, and Creative Cultural Arts.
Foodie Camp is a camp for youth in grades 3-8 to practice different culinary skills while cooking and baking in the kitchen. Campers will measure, chop, and stir their way into the cooking world by creating recipes and snacks! Youth will compile a recipe book at the end of camp.
LEGO Camp is a camp for youth in grades 2-8 to learn different LEGO building skills. The LEGO club and project is growing fast. Youth will build different creations with the LEGO bricks at the office while learning about different building and engineering techniques. This camp runs in the afternoons opposite of Cardboard camp.
STEM: Wizarding Day Camp – Step into a world where science and magic come together through hands-on projects inspired by the wizarding world. Youth will experiment with bubbling and color-changing potions, craft their own magical charms and wands, and create wizarding school supplies such as quill pens. A fun blend of imagination, science, and creativity awaits at our Wizarding STEM Day Camp.
RESOURCE OF THE MONTH: Interactive Trunks through Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area has three interpretive trunks that can be reserved for up to two weeks. Teachers, scout leaders and other educators are welcome to borrow them. For more information visit: https://horiconmarsh.org/about-us/our-programs/
Pick up and drop off times are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment at the Horicon Marsh Education & Visitor Center.
To reserve a trunk, please contact Liz Herzmann at 920-387-7893 or elizabeth.herzmann@wisconsin.gov
Calendar of Events
May
1- Foods Revue registration opens in 4H Online
2- Jr Holstein Workshop, 8:30am, Vir Clar Farm, N5119 Co Rd K, Fond du Lac
5- Archery, 5:30-7:30 pm, Izaak Walton, N6491 Co Rd K, Fond du Lac
7- Dog Project Class, 5:00pm, FDL Co Fairgrounds Rec Center
7- Archery, 5:30-7:30 pm, Izaak Walton, N6491 Co Rd K, Fond du Lac
7- Chicken Egg Candling, 6:00 pm, Ascension Lutheran Church, 901 Cty Rd V, Fond du Lac
12- Archery, 5:30-7:30 pm, Izaak Walton, N6491 Co Rd K, Fond du Lac
14- Junior Master Gardener Club, 4:00-5:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
14- Dog Project Class, 5:00pm, FDL Co Fairgrounds Rec Center
14- Archery, 5:30-7:30 pm, Izaak Walton, N6491 Co Rd K, Fond du Lac
14- Wildlife Club, 6:00 pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
15- Chick Hatch Day, 11am-12:30pm or 6-6:30pm, Ascension Lutheran Church, 901 Cty Rd V, FDL
15- Scholarship deadline for Fond du Lac County 4-H Scholarships
16- Sandwich Making Workshop, 9:00-11:00am, Fond du Lac County Campus
19- Archery, 5:30-7:30 pm, Izaak Walton, N6491 Co Rd K, Fond du Lac
21- Dog Project Class, 5:00pm, FDL Co Fairgrounds Rec Center
21- Archery, 5:30-7:30 pm, Izaak Walton, N6491 Co Rd K, Fond du Lac
25- Memorial Day – Extension Office Closed
26- Archery, 5:30-7:30 pm, Izaak Walton, N6491 Co Rd K, Fond du Lac
26- LEGO Club, 6:30-7:30 pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
28- Junior Master Gardener Club, 4:00-5:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
28- Dog Project Class, 5:00pm, FDL Co Fairgrounds Rec Center
28- Archery, 5:30-7:30 pm, Izaak Walton, N6491 Co Rd K, Fond du Lac
June
3- New Family Fair Orientation, 5:45 pm, Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds
4- Dog Project Class, 5:00pm, FDL Co Fairgrounds Rec Center
11- Junior Master Gardener Club, 1:00-2:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
11- Dog Project Class, 5:00pm, FDL Co Fairgrounds Rec Center
11- Wildlife Club, 6:00 pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
14- Registration Deadline for Foods Revue – Register through 4-Honline
14-18- Summer Academy, UW Madison, register through 4-H online by April 26
15-17- Foodie Camp, 9am – 3pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
17- Foods Revue, 5pm, Marian University
17- Fond du Lac County Fair Entries due by 11:59pm CST
18- Dog Project Class, 5:00pm, FDL Co Fairgrounds Rec Center
22- TLA Meeting, 6:45 pm, Rolling Meadows
23- LEGO Club, 6:30-8 pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
24- Cloverbud Day Camp: Foodie Camp, 9am – 3pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
25- Junior Master Gardener Club, 1:00-2:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
25- Dog Project Class, 5:00pm, FDL Co Fairgrounds Rec Center
29-7/1- Around the World Camp, 9am – 3pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
Sincerely,
Tracy Keifenheim
4-H Program Educator
UW-Madison Division of Extension, Fond du Lac County
cc: Executive Board, TLA Advisors, Horse Project President