June 2026 Leader Letter

Written by Sarah Stevenson Posted on
Download PDF

June 29, 2026

Dear 4-H Leader,

4-H Friday Newsletter Submissions

Please send your articles and photos at https://go.wisc.edu/2665ok 

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

Tickets are due at the Extension office as soon as possible. Each club should issue one check made payable to the Adult Leaders Association for the ticket money collected. Any unsold tickets must also be returned to the office. The raffle drawing will be on Wednesday, August 19, at the Adult Leaders meeting. If you would like any of the unsold extra tickets, please reach out to the office to arrange a pickup.

Save the date for the August Adult Leaders Meeting- Wednesday, August 19 at 6:30 pm, starting with the Fair Feedback session, followed by the meeting.

Summer Camp Update

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. 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/

Fond du Lac County Fair Updates & Information

Fair Office Hours

Monday through Friday: 8 am- 4:30 pm. Contact the office at 920-929-3168 or office@fonddulaccountyfair.com

Fair Updates

  • Pre-fair judging:
    • Contact the fair office to schedule judging time
    • Thursday, July 9 – Judging will take place in the Expo Building
    • Tuesday, July 14 – Cloverbud & Exploring Judging will be the Expo building.
      Foods, Crops, Vegetables etc will take place in the Rec Building.
  • Tag Pick up: started June 23
  • Fair tag changes: Due July 3 before 12 pm
  • Fair office closes at 12 pm on Friday, July 3rd

4-H Graduation and Recognition Ceremony

Graduation will be held in the Expo Building at the fairgrounds on Sunday, July 19, at 2:00 pm. Key award winners and scholarship recipients will also be recognized. Please encourage 4-H youth in grades 12 & 13 to fill out the graduation survey to help the Extension staff plan and prepare for graduation: go.wisc.edu/dr5ttd

Adult Leaders & TLA Foodstands

Please review the available slots for the Adult Leader Stand and click on the button in Sign-up Genius to select a shift: go.wisc.edu/6535pp. Proceeds from the Adult Leader Food Stand support annual countywide 4-H Programs and scholarship opportunities. These include: Family Learning Day, Summer Camps, Trips, and Scholarships. Thank you for helping staff the food stand. To sign up for shifts to work the TLA Foodstand (located in the Rec Building) please visit: go.wisc.edu/rgj3nq

Annual Financial Report/Charter

The Annual Financial Report and Charter have been streamlined into an Annual Authorization that must be completed by September 1st.

Annual Authorization Resources:

Parade Policy

Wisconsin 4-H is committed to providing safe and healthy environments for youth and adults participating in 4-H programs and activities. Preparing floats and participating in parades can be a fun way to promote 4-H, AND there are risks associated with these activities. The 4-H Parades Policy outlines expectations for managing risk associated with vehicles used in parades, as well as youth and adults riding on vehicles or walking in the parade: go.wisc.edu/pq92nl 

Water Safety Policies

Summer is here. Below are Wisconsin 4-H policies regarding water safety:

  • Lifeguards are required when youth are swimming or participating in water-related activities including canoeing, kayaking, and boating. This includes all swimming such as at camp, a club-sponsored activity, at a hotel, lake, or personal residence. 
  • Lifeguards must be certified. 
  • A lifeguard must be at least 16 years of age and have the appropriate current certification (Lifeguard Training, First Aid, and CPR/AED). 
  • Beach lifeguards need to have water safety instructor certification from the American Red Cross or equivalent instruction. 
  • One lifeguard is needed for every 25 people in the water. 
  • One adult (not necessarily lifeguard certified) for every 10 youth is needed for overall supervision. 
  • The best practice is to swim where lifeguards are provided by the facility or site. 
  • Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are required for all when canoeing, kayaking, and boating. 

More information on 4-H policies: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/resources/wisconsin-4-h-policies/ 

Calendar of Events

July

2- Dog Project Class, 5:00pm, FDL Co Fairgrounds Rec Center
3- Extension Office Closed
7- Small Animal Project Meeting, 6:30pm, Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds Small Animal Barn
9- Junior Master Gardener Club, 1:00-2:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus (FCC)
9- Pre-Fair Judging, 1-7 pm, FDL Co. Fairgrounds 
9- Dog Project Class, 5:00pm, FDL Co Fairgrounds Rec Center
12- Market Livestock Barn display set up, 8am-5pm (time subject to change)
12- Mandatory Market Livestock Pre-Fair Meeting, 3 pm, FDL Co. Fairgrounds Cow Palace (choose this date or July 14)
13- Market Livestock Barn display set up, Barns open at 8am
14- Mandatory Market Livestock Pre-Fair Meeting, 3 pm, FDL Co. Fairgrounds Cow Palace (choose this date or July 12)
14- Pre-Fair Judging, 1-7 pm, FDL Co. Fairgrounds 
15-19- Fond du Lac County Fair
19- 4-H Graduation, 2:00 pm, Fairgrounds Expo Building
19- Market Livestock Wrap Up Meeting, 5:30 pm
22- Cloverbud Day Camp: Superhero Camp, 9am-3pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
23- Junior Master Gardener Club, 1:00-2:30pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
27- TLA Meeting, 6:45 pm, Rolling Meadows
28-30- STEM: Wizarding Day Camp, 9 am- 3 pm, Fond du Lac County Campus
*NO LEGO Club in July

August

3-5- Art Day Camp, 9am-3pm, FCC 
6- Junior Master Gardener Club, 1-2:30pm, FCC
6-16- Wisconsin State Fair
12- Cloverbud Art Camp, 9am-3pm, FCC
12-13- Alto Fair
17-19- Cardboard City Camp, 9am-12pm, FCC
17-19- LEGO Camp, 12:30-4pm, FCC
19- Adult Leaders Assoc. Meeting, 6:30pm, FCC
20- Junior Master Gardener Club, 1-2:30pm, FCC
24- TLA Meeting, 6:45 pm, Rolling Meadows
*NO LEGO Club in August

Sincerely,

Tracy Keifenheim
4-H Program Educator
UW-Madison Division of Extension, Fond du Lac County
cc: Executive Board, TLA Advisors, Horse Project President