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Sioux County 4-H Newsletter
April 2024
Calendar of Events
Apr. 4 - Melissa in the office
Apr. 11 - Melissa in the office in pm
Apr. 17 - Melissa in the office
Apr. 25 - Melissa in the office
Apr. 25 - Sewing workshop
Apr. 25 - 4-H Council Meeting
Deadlines:
Apr. 5 - Registration Speech and Presentation Contest
Apr. 19 - Registration for Sewing Workshop
May 3 - Wilderness Wonders Camp Registration
April 4-H Workshop
Start reading ready for fair with this April workshop. We will be sewing Reading pillows at the Conference Room of the Courthouse from 3:45 to 5:30 pm. This is for youth ages 8 and above. The fee is $5. Please register by April 19th by contacting Melissa Mracek at mmracek2@unl.edu
4-H Summer Workshops
We have several fun workshops planned for this summer. Check out the full listing below. Several of them have registration deadlines of May 1st.
Jelly Jam Workshop
Jam out at this workshop. Youth will have the option to create either 6 jars or a strawberry jam or grape jelly while learning how to do a hot water bath canning method led by Tamara Wohlers. Please make payments to Tamara.
Where: Harrison Bible Church
When: May 9, 9 am to noon
Who: Youth 8+
Cost: $25
Project: E408008
Register Deadline: May 1
Baking with Ashley Ahrens
Do you like to bake? Come put on your chef’s hat with Food & Nutrition Educator, Ashley Ahrens!
Where: Harrison Bible Church
When: May 14th, 9:30 am-11:30 am
Who: Youth 8+
Cost: $15
Projects: TBA
Registration Deadline: May 1
Electrify Your Summer
Electrify your summer at this fun workshop. Youth will work with simple circuits to create a lamp, bracelet, and so much more!
Where: Harrison Bible Church
When: May 16th, 9am-3:00 pm
Who: Youth 8+
Cost: $30
Projects: C221008 & H870003
Registration Deadline: May 1
Pack a Sack Lunch
Wilderness Wonders Camp
Enter CSI: Predator vs. Prey... On May 23rd, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm camp will be offered for youth going into 3rd-5th grade. On May 24th, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm it will be offered for 5-7 year olds. Both camps are $40 each.
Registrations are due May 3rd to the Sioux County Extension Office! We must have the form and payment for registration.
North Panhandle Livestock Judging Clinic and Contest
Youth will have the opportunity to learn from a Livestock Judging coach before testing their knowledge at the competition. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 in each age division. Lunch is included.
Where: Box Butte County Fairgrounds
When: May 28th
Clinic at 9 am
Contest at 12 pm
Who: Youth 8+
Cost: $30 for both, $20 for contest
Next Level LOG N Camp
Youth will have the opportunity to level up their leadership skills at this three day camp. Youth will also get to participate in a high level Challenge Course, see the University of Nebraska - Lincoln's campus, and more! Transportation will be provided.
Where: Lincoln
When: May 29-31
Who: 8th and 9th graders
Cost: $75
Registration Deadline: May 1st at go.unl.edu/nextlevel24
Range Workshop
Join Katie Reece for this workshop to learn all about plants. Details on when this workshop will be held in June will be coming soon!
Fort Robinson Horse Camp
Horse Enthusiasts help us celebrate the 50th year of Horse Camp this summer. This camp is full of sessions and trail rides along with creating your own headstall. See the registration form below.
Horse Camp Scholarship Application
Youth members have the opportunity to apply for a Horse Camp scholarship. NEW this year, youth can also create a t-shirt design for the 2025 Fort Robinson Horse Camp. If their design is selected they will also receive a scholarship. Scholarship application is attached below.
Design Camp
Come and join the fun at this overnight sewing camp and make a new outfit while you are at it! See the additional registration form.
Where: Camp Norwesca
When: June 26-27
Who: Youth 10-14
Cost: $120
Register Deadline: June 3rd
Projects: C221003, C221007, C222011
LOG N Camp
Meet youth from across the panhandle at this fun overnight camp at Cedar Point Biological Station. Transportation will be provided.
Where: Cedar Point Biological Station
When: July 1-2
Who: Youth 5th- 7th grade
Cost: $80
Register Deadline: June 1 at go.unl.edu/logn2024
Clover Kid Workshop
Join us for Clover Kid fun! Specifically designed for kids ages 5-7, this workshop will introduce your child to fun, friends, and 4-H. Youth will complete several projects that can be exhibited at fair.
Where: Harrison Bible Church
When: July 8th, 9 am to 12 pm
Who: Youth 5-7
Cost: $10
Registration Deadline: July 1
Manual Order Forms
It is that time of year again to order manuals for your family's 4-H projects. Since families do not have to enroll in 4-H online for projects, you will have to let us know what manuals you would like by completing this form and returning it to Melissa at mmracek2@unl.edu in order for manuals to be ordered for your family. Please turn in this form by April 30th to receive your free manuals from your 4-H Council.
PREEC Scholarship Opportunity
The University of Nebraska – Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center will again offer the “Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center Student Scholarship.” Two scholarships of $1000 each will be awarded. The application period will be open from March 1 to April 15, 2024.
To apply for the scholarship visit https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5C05tjKSe78aTUq. Along with filling out the online form a letter of recommendation must also be submitted and emailed to dmccarthy2@unl.edu. The email subject line should be “2024 Scholarship Recommendation Letter (Insert Name of Student).” The application will be considered incomplete without the letter.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have attended high school in the Panhandle of Nebraska in one of the following counties:
- Banner, Blaine, Box Butte, Cherry, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sioux, and Thomas
- Be attending any of the Nebraska University Campuses, including Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.
- Majoring in Agronomy, Ag Economics, Animal Science, Vet Science, Agriculture Technology, or a related degree emphasizing agriculture.
- Be a graduating high school senior or in the first or second year of study.
Awards will be chosen by May 1, and applicants will be notified via email if selected.
For more information or questions, contact Deidra McCarthy at dmccarthy2@unl.edu or 308-632-1230.
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Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Northern Panhandle Public Speaking Contest - 4/14/24
This year for the speech contest, Sioux County is joining the other North Panhandle Counties for a joint event. The contest will be held on Sunday, April 14th at 1 pm at the Performance Art Center at the Alliance High School. Youth will be able to compete in Presentations, Speeches, and Public Service Announcements. Counties will be judged individually. Purple ribbon winners will be eligible to complete at the Premier Communication Event, which is the statewide Public Speaking Contest. This contest is in Lincoln on June 17-18. All counties will be judged individually. Registrations forms are attached below and are due to Melissa Mracek at mmracek2@unl.edu by April 5th.
The Premier Communication Event and will be a two-day event held on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus on Monday, June 17th & Tuesday, June 18th. For more information visit: https://4h.unl.edu/premier-communication-event
Summer Camp Opportunities
State 4-H Camp in Chadron
There are two State 4-H Camps located in Chadron this summer.
June 1-5th is for 10-14 year olds
Youth will explore the oldest state park in Nebraska on horseback. Campers will travel to Hudson-Meng Education Center, hike through Toadstool Geologic Park, along with other fun activities
June 6-8 is for 8-10 year olds
This is a great introduction to 4-H camp. Campers will explore the natural world, archery, arts and craft, campfire, and lots of laughs!
To register for these camps visit: https://4h.unl.edu/camps-summer
Big Red Camps
Big Red Camps are for high school students who want to get some experience in a potential career. Scholarships are available to help assist with tuition when you register. New this year, a 4-H Educator from the south Panhandle will be leading a camp and is willing to help transport youth back and forth to Lincoln. Please contact the office if you are interested in this opportunity as there are only 6 spots available. Sessions for this summer include:
- Rooted in Ag
- Animation
- The Art of Teaching
- Discover Fashion: Clothing Design, Sustainability, & the Future of Textiles
- Discover Cryptography - AGAM
- Discover Digital Media
- Discover Engineering
- Discover Esports
- Physics of Earth
- STEM Odyssey
- Discover Unicameral Youth Legislature
- Discover Veterinary Science
- Discover Weather & Climate Science
Visit https://4h.unl.edu/big-red-camps-sessions for more information about the camps and registration.
4S Goat Scholarship
The 4S Goat Expo would like to extend their scholarship to young goat producers in the state of Nebraska again this year. This scholarship is open to Seniors in High school and Freshman in college. The deadline for this scholarship is May 31, 2024.
New 4-H Council Members are needed
We have one adult and one to two youth Council member positions open for the new year. Members attend monthly Council meetings, provide input and advice to the Sioux County 4-H program, and help advise the Council budget. Youth need to be ages 12 and above. Youth serve a one year team and adult serve a three year term. Please reach out to Melissa Mracek at mmracek2@unl.edu if interested in serving.
Nebraska Extension Sioux County Office
Email: mmracek2@unl.edu
Website: go.unl.edu/siouxcofair
Location: PO Box 277 Harrison, NE 69346
Phone: (308) 668-2428
Facebook: facebook.com/UNLSiouxCounty