4-H Weekly Update 2/28/25

• Mar 3: Sewing for Fun Class, Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Mar 11: Clover Kids Klub Meeting, 5:30-6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Mar 15-16: Nebraska State 4-H BB gun & Air Rifle Championships
• Mar 19: Sewing For Fun Class, Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Mar 19: 4-H Livestock Meeting, 6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Mar 21-22: Nebraska 4-H Robotics Expansion Event
• Mar 26: 4-H Poultry & Rabbits Meeting, 6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Mar 30: 4-H Horse Stampede, UNL Animal Science Complex in Lincoln, NE
• Apr 8: Clover Kids Klub Meeting, 5:30-6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• Apr 26: Small Animal Pet Show, 9am Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• May 2: Communications Contest, Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• May 13: Clover Kids Klub Meeting, 5:30-6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• May 15: 4-H Council Meeting, 6:30pm Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
• May 26: Memorial Day, Office Closed

Join us in celebrating Nebraska 4-H Month this February! It’s the perfect time to recognize the incredible impact of 4-H, invite new members and volunteers to get involved, and enjoy the fun and opportunities 4-H provides. This year, we’re highlighting how 4-H helps young people become Beyond Ready for their futures. Don’t miss out on this month-long celebration—learn more at 4-H Nebraska.

It's BACK! The Junior PGA organization will be offering FREE golf lessons to 4-H Youth! This program will fill up fast, so please sign up early. Click the flyer below to register by March 8th.

Click on the flyer below to sign up for the upcoming Sewing for Fun Class!

When: Saturday, April 26th
Time: 9:00 AM (Check-in begins at 8:30 AM)
Where: Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office

Bring Your Unique Pets to Shine! This fun-filled event is open to all kinds of small pets, including: Gerbils, Hamsters, Reptiles, Fish, Caged Birds, Invertebrates, and Cats!

Click here to sign up for the Small Pet Show!

Note: Dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs have their own special shows at the Sarpy County Fair.

Celebrate the love for your small and extraordinary companions at this one-of-a-kind event! Everyone is welcome to come and cheer for these amazing pets. Don’t miss it! If you have any questions, please contact Brett Kreifels: brett.kreifels@unl.edu

SAVE THE DATE!

When: Friday, May 2nd
Where: Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office 8015 W Center Road

Calling all 4-H youth! If you're between the ages of 5-18 and enrolled in 4-H, this is your chance to showcase your public speaking and communication skills. Entry forms due by midnight, April 25th! The illustrated presentation offers youth the opportunity to create and use visual aids, work on their public presenting skills, and strengthen their ability to answer questions relevant to presentations. For more information on illustrated presentations, click here.

For more information on how to prepare, click here.

Click the flyer below to sign up for Build a Hut!

Are you passionate about working with youth and making a positive impact in your community? We’re looking for an enthusiastic 4-H Intern to help facilitate our Babysitting Clinics running from June to July. These clinics teach 4-H youth essential skills in child development, nutrition, safety, and the business of babysitting. This is a paid internship offering valuable experience in education and youth development. Intern will assist with:

• Organizing and delivering interactive Babysitting Clinics
• Teaching and engaging youth in topics like child care, healthy meal prep, and first aid
• Supporting hands-on activities for a fun and educational experience for all participants.

This is a paid internship preferably for college students majoring in Education, Child Develepmont, or pursuing an FCS teaching certification.

If interested, please contact Stephanie Thorson: stephanie.thorson@unl.edu

Hey 4-H youth! Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of robots, tech, and teamwork? Join us for the Robotics Expansion Event on March 21-22, on the UNL Campus in Lincoln, where you’ll experience epic competitions, hands-on activities, and jaw-dropping robot demonstrations!

• Build, create, and compete alongside other young innovators.
• Test your skills in thrilling robotics challenges.
• Meet and learn from experts and fellow robotics enthusiasts.

Best of all, this action-packed event happens alongside the 2025 FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship—so you’ll be right in the middle of all the excitement!

Don't miss this chance to explore, experiment, and unleash your creativity in STEM. Mark your calendars and get ready to power up! For more information on this event, click here.

Attention 4-H youth! Don’t miss the Robotics Expansion Event on March 21-22, 2025—a thrilling two-day adventure into the world of robotics and technology. Dive into hands-on learning, watch exciting competitions, and explore groundbreaking innovations alongside other STEM enthusiasts. This event, held in conjunction with the 2025 FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship, is your chance to showcase creativity, collaborate with peers, and be inspired by the future of robotics. Get ready to experience the excitement and possibilities of STEM! For more information, click here.

Are you a small or backyard poultry producer or a youth eager to learn more about raising chickens? Don't miss UNL Chick Days, an educational event designed just for you!

Date: March 22, 2025
Location: Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska
Student Commons Room B101, 3940 Fair St., Lincoln, NE, 68583

Gain insights from expert speakers, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and enhance your poultry-raising skills. Whether you're just starting or looking to expand your knowledge, this event is the perfect opportunity to learn and grow. Deadline to Register: March 15.

Exciting News! Unlock the world of data science at "Data Driven: A Statistics & Data Science Field Day!" Registration is OPEN for teams of 4 high school students! Don't have a full team? No worries! Reach out, and we'll help you find teammates! Join us for interactive learning, friendly competitions, and networking opportunities. Embrace the power of data literacy together! Sign up NOW!

Where: Dinsdale Family Learning Commons, UNL East Campus

When: 10 AM - 4 PM, March 22, 2025

Don’t miss out—Register here: 4h.unl.edu/data-driven

For more details contact Kimberly Stanke at kstanke2@unl.edu.

Join a training series for 4-H project judges!

Thursday, April 10 | 5:30 - 6:30 PM CST
Intro to Judging 4-H Projects: For adults interested in judging at county and state fairs. Topics include interview judging, Positive Youth Development, and more.

Monday, April 14 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM CST
4-H Visual Arts & Foods Judges Training: For new and experienced judges in Visual Arts & Foods. Topics include class changes, food judging updates, and sourdough trends.

Participation is optional but encouraged. Live attendance is preferred, but recordings will be available at: 4h.unl.edu/resources/judges

The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is hiring staff and program assistants for the 2025 season! Travel to Chadron and Burwell, bringing the fun of 4-H Camp to communities across the state.

Enjoy a week of training to develop leadership skills, teach environmental education, lead games, and create a positive camp experience. Plus, have fun tubing the river, playing group games, and gathering around the campfire! Learn more and apply here.

Show Stock Manager is now open for livestock nominations for the 2025 Nebraska State Fair! All 4-H and FFA breeding livestock, market livestock, and feeder calves contending to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair must be nominated online with a $7.00 fee per animal and submit a DNA envelope with a hair sample.

🔹 Deadline: June 15, 2025
🔹 Nomination Link: Show Stock Manager
🔹 More Info: Check the 4-H State Fair Livestock Identification and Nomination Requirements

Special Note for 4-H/FFA Families: If nominating the same animals for both the Nebraska State Fair and Aksarben Stock Show, obtain DNA envelopes from your local Extension Office or FFA Advisor, submit them there, and complete payment and nomination in Show Stock Manager. Aksarben will have a separate nomination system, with details provided later.

For step-by-step nomination guidance, refer to the 2025 Nomination Instructions below.

Big Red Camps are overnight career exploration camps for students entering grades 9-12. Campers get to experience life on the University of Nebraska campus, meet new friends from across the country, and dive into exciting topics like animation, fashion entrepreneurship, and engineering. With hands-on learning led by university faculty, participants explore potential careers while having a blast!

At the end of camp, families are invited to a special capstone event where students showcase their work. All housing and meals are included. Spots are limited and fill quickly, so sign up soon!

For camp details, session options, costs, and scholarship info, visit Big Red Camps Sessions.

Nebraska 4-H offers exciting opportunities for youth to engage in horse-related activities, whether they own a horse or not. While members with horses can participate in various shows and events, there are also numerous programs available for those without access to a horse. Additionally, volunteer opportunities are open to both youth and their families.

Beyond horsemanship and animal care, Nebraska 4-H horse programs help youth develop essential life skills, including responsibility, self-discipline, goal setting, and record-keeping. These programs focus on the personal growth of young participants, using horse-related activities as a platform to build confidence, character, and strong community connections.

For more information on 4-H horse events and activities in your area, click here.

Get Ready to Shine in the 4-H Fashion Show!

Do you love fashion? Want to show off your style and confidence on the runway? The 4-H Fashion Show is your chance to strut your stuff and showcase your creativity!

Designed It? Rock It! – If you’ve made your own garment, you’ll be judged on fit, construction, poise, and how amazing your outfit looks on you.

Styled It? Own It! – If you’re a Shopping In Style participant, you’ll be judged on how well your outfit fits, your confidence on stage, and your savvy shopping skills, including your written report.

This is your moment to shine, build confidence, and have a blast showing off your hard work. Don’t miss out—sign up today and be part of the excitement!

Save These Dates:

July 3rd: Fashion Show Entries DUE by Midnight

July 10th: Fashion Show judging day, 2-7pm at the Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office

July 30th: Public Fashion Show, 6pm at the Sarpy County Fair

The Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Council is offering scholarships for current 4-H members, graduating seniors, and alumni.

Camp Scholarships

Available for current 4-H members:

• 3 scholarships of $300
• 5 scholarships of $200
• 11 scholarships of $100

Requirements:

• Must be enrolled in 4-H before the application deadline.
• Can be used for any 4-H, Big Red, or University of Nebraska-Lincoln program, or a 4-H Project Camp.

Apply for a Camp Scholarship – Deadline: March 21, 2025

Graduating Senior College Scholarships

For high school seniors graduating in 2025:

• 1 scholarship of $1,000 for UNL, UNO, or UNK
• 2 scholarships of $1,000 for any college, university, or trade school
• 1 scholarship of $900 for any college, university, or trade school

Requirements:

• Must be a high school senior graduating in 2025.
• Must have been active in Douglas-Sarpy 4-H for at least 3 years.
• Must be currently enrolled in Douglas-Sarpy 4-H before the deadline.

Apply for a Senior Scholarship – Deadline: March 21, 2025

Alumni College Scholarships

For 4-H alumni in college:

• 4 scholarships of $500

Requirements:

• Must be a Douglas-Sarpy 4-H alumni.
• Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Must be at least a college freshman (not a current high school senior).

Apply for an Alumni Scholarship – Deadline: March 21, 2025

For questions, contact Alyssia Martinez Wilkinson at alyssia.martinezwilkinson@gmail.com.

Nominations for the 2025 4-H Volunteer Awards are now being accepted through March 20, 2025! Help us recognize the incredible dedication and impact of 4-H volunteers across the state by submitting a nomination. The nomination process is quick and easy. Let’s celebrate the outstanding volunteers who make 4-H possible! For more information, along with the nomination form click here.

One of our local 4-H Clubs is making a meaningful impact in the Bellevue community by running a Free Little Pantry at Avery Presbyterian Church. This pantry provides essential food items for those in need, and the members of the Bellevue Do More Learn More 4-H Club take pride in keeping it stocked and accessible. In November, they organized a friendly competition among families to collect food donations—an effort that resulted in over 1,000 items gathered! To ensure the pantry remains well-stocked, they’ve established a rotating schedule where families pick up a filled tote on Sundays, restock the pantry throughout the week, and return the tote to be replenished for the next family. This is a perfect example of a great service project for your club to be actively supporting your community. The Bellevue Do More Learn More 4-H Club has seen firsthand how much the pantry is being used and appreciated!

We'd love to spotlight more local 4-H clubs/4-Hers! Please e-mail Andrea: aboschult2@unl.edu with information about your club and activities to be shared in future weekly updates!

4-H Enrollment is now open for 2024-2025, click here! (Instrucciones disponibles en español)

4-H Community service ideas and resources click here!

4-H Club Leader information and resources click here!

Submit your community service project here!

4-H Volunteer Connection resources click here!

Steps to start a 4-H Club click here!

Share your 4-H pictures or ideas with us by e-mailing: aboschult2@unl.edu

2024-2025 New and Returning Volunteer Enrollment is open, please click on form below for instructions:

Location: 8015 West Center Road, Omaha, NE, USA

Phone: 402-444-7804

Email: douglas-sarpy4h@unl.edu
Website: www.douglas-sarpy.unl.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/douglassarpy4h

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to Douglas-Sarpy County Extension at 402-444-7804 or douglas-sarpy@unl.edu

Nebraska Extension education programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United State Department of Agriculture.