There are many laudable traits of Kewaunee County, abounding in beauty and history. Being an area of agricultural prominence, it is fitting that Kewaunee is home to the historic childhood cabin of the Father of Wisconsin 4-H. We have made the Father of Wisconsin 4-H proud, with more than 20,000 volunteers and 150,000 youth taking part in educational experiences throughout the state. You may have a preconceived notion that 4-H exists exclusively at the fair. Maybe you have grown up believing that 4-H is cows and cookies, or horses and corn? This is certainly a component, but 4-H is so much more.
Kewaunee County is a unique slice of this positive youth development pie. We are rooted in welcoming community clubs and project groups that foster experiential learning. Kewaunee County 4-H boasts projects building skills in food preservation, crop growing, robotics, art, health and wellness, woodworking, leathercraft, cake decorating, animal care, livestock, and more. Youth in 4-H follow a model proven by research. Our goal in Kewaunee County is to provide all youth the opportunity to feel belonging, develop positive relationships, and find their spark through engaging activities. Have you ever been so engulfed in an activity or a hobby that you completely lost track of time? Everyone, youth and adults alike, has a talent, a skill, or an interest they are passionate about. These qualities provide us with joy, purpose, and direction. We call these sparks. Exploring, nurturing, and developing sparks are at the heart of a young person’s ability to achieve a thriving orientation, leading to highly positive 4-H outcomes.
Research surrounding 4-H is abundant. Youth involved in 4-H are six times more likely to be at the highest levels of positive development. They are more likely to see themselves going to college compared to other youth and forty-one percent less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors. Youth participating in 4-H programming are twenty-five percent more likely to contribute to themselves, their families, and their communities.
Thriving in 4-H leads to academic or vocational success, increased civic engagement,
employability and economic stability, and overall happiness and well-being. Youth development is community development! Enrollment is encouraged for any youth in Kewaunee County in grades kindergarten through grade thirteen. Youth in kindergarten, first, and second grade participate in the Cloverbud project. This project is exploratory, developmentally age-appropriate, and activity-based. Youth can enroll in Kewaunee County 4-H at any time throughout the year. However, to show at the Kewaunee County Fair, prior members need to be re-enrolled online by November 1st, 2022. New members have until February 1st, 2023, if interested in exhibiting at the fair. Contact Mariah Vandertie, 4-H program educator, at 920-388-7185 or email mlvandertie@wisc.edu if you have questions or want more information. We are
excited to have you join us for belonging and growth. Find your spark with Kewaunee
County 4-H.
