4-H leaders report near-capacity camp registration, wait lists and fair preparation

Janelle, a Walworth County 4-H youth development educator, told the Walworth County Agriculture Extension Education Committee on Feb. 17 that 4-H camp registration opened in January and “filled just about completely within 3 days.”

The report said the office accepts 94 campers alongside 27 counselors and 17 adult chaperones; staff and volunteers support the program. The educators said wait lists exist and that they may need to consider additional options to allow more families to participate.

The report highlighted Clover University monthly workshops for youth, including classes on canvas painting, sewing, baking and mosaic and alcohol-ink art. Janelle said project areas such as shooting sports and horse and pony have resumed activities and that volunteers and project leaders participate in Clover University to support offerings.

Debbie, a 4-H staff member described in the report, led a livestock-focused Clover University that drew 28 project members and included rapid “lightning round” sessions with Walworth County Fair department superintendents plus hands-on animal workshops covering topics such as pig ear notching, rabbit nesting-box construction, dairy product categories, feed-grain identification and ruminant stomach anatomy.

Staff also represented 4-H at beef weigh-in on Feb. 1 and continue school-based programming: the report recorded an upcoming incubation project and described recent classroom activities in which third- and fourth-graders made bread and learned about food preparation.

Committee members asked no substantive follow-up questions. The committee’s next meeting was confirmed for April 21, 2025.