Otoe County 4-H Wednesday What-Nots
September 21, 2022
4-H Achievement Applications Due October 1st
The Otoe County and Nebraska 4-H Awards program begins with the 4-H members doing their best and recording their accomplishments. Now is the time of year to tell us what you have learned and to apply for a 4-H award by completing your 4-H Achievement Application.
There are MANY awards offered: medals, cash, trips, and scholarships. The deadline is Friday, October 1 for the 4-H Achievement Application to be turned into the Extension Office.
Check out the August “Tips on Tap” for the 3-page Otoe County 4-H Entry Sheet and Otoe County Awards form. These pages tell you what is necessary to apply for each award.
A good 4-H record will help you recall your many experiences in 4-H and will be an asset when applying for scholarships of any kind when you are graduating.
How to Put Together a 4-H Achievement Application
There are several ways you can learn how to complete the 4-H Achievement Application. They include:
- Read the Otoe County 2022 4-H Achievement Application Directions handout.
- Download the information from the Otoe County Extension website at www.otoe.unl.edu by clicking on Otoe County 4-H on the top and then scrolling down to 4-H Achievement Application under Awards/Reports.
- Set up an appointment to visit with Deb or Erin about the 4-H Achievement Application.
- We have new folders available in the office, price $3.46 each
Awards Due to the Extension Office
4-H members and leaders, the following are due to the Extension Office by Saturday, October 1:
- 4-H Achievement Application
- Hard Luck Award Form
- Tribute to 4-H Leader Excellence Award Form
- Character Counts! 4-H Member Award Form
- Diamond Clover Program Plan & Report Form - All Levels
- Report of Club Activities Form
- Community Pride Award Form
State Fair Exhibitors - we still have a few exhibits here at the Extension Office, please pick up any weekday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Save the Date!
Nebraska Residents: Apply for FREE
There is no place like Nebraska and there is no better time to become a Husker!
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is waiving the undergraduate admissions application fee for Nebraskans from Sept. 16 through Sept. 30. You can apply for FREE at go.unl.edu/apply—enter the code “NUforNE” in the “Application Fee Waiver Code” field at the end of the application.
We’re here to help, 1-to-1. Contact us at admissions@unl.edu or 402-472-2023.
Become a 4-H Youth Leadership Conference Ambassador!
Hey High School Age Youth!
We are so excited that you are interested in becoming a part of the Nebraska 4-H Youth Leadership Conference Ambassador Team.
As a part of this group we hope you can be a voice on the youth perspective, develop & practice leadership skills that you can take back to your communities, and collaborate with Extension Staff and 4-Hers across the state to plan & implement the 2023 4-H Youth Leadership Conference!
The deadline for applications for the Ambassador team is Friday, October 14th, 2022! Apply here: https://go.unl.edu/2023ylcambassador.
If selected our first meeting will be Sunday, November 6th, 2022, at 4-6pm CT (via Zoom). From there we'll meet monthly to create an amazing experience for you and other high schoolers across the state!
The 4-H Youth Leadership Conference will be held June 16th-17th, 2023 at the Nebraska State 4-H Camp in Halsey, NE!
Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Workshop Offered at Nebraska City
A Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Workshop is scheduled for October in Nebraska City. It will be held October 22-23 at the Otoe County Wildlife Club near Nebraska City. The early bird deadline to register for the workshop is October 12th.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to become certified as an adult (21 years and older) or apprentice (14-20 years old) leader. Five project areas will be offered at the Nebraska City Workshop - rifle, pistol, shotgun, coordinator, and archery.
There is a minimum number of participants needed to offer these disciplines at the workshop. Workshop participants will learn under expert instruction from members of the Nebraska State 4-H Shooting Sports Training Team.
The registration fee is $85.00 per person for initial certification and those individuals adding an additional discipline except for Apprentice Instructors. The registration fee for Apprentice Instructors (14 to 20 years of age) is $75 for this workshop. This fee includes meals, supplies and program materials. Participants must make their own lodging arrangements. Registration on Saturday runs from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
While participants might need to bring limited, if any, equipment to the in-person discipline training site, there are a series of four National 4-H Shooting Sports online modules which individuals MUST complete prior to the training to become eligible for certification. Information on the modules and how to enroll, 4-H Shooting Sports Online User Guide, can accessed by using the link found on the Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports website under Calendar of 4-H Shooting Sports Events at https://4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports, under the Nebraska City Workshop - this provides step-by-step instructions on how to sign up for and complete the entire series of modules before the workshop.
As individuals follow each of the instructions in the Online User Guide, they will be asked to choose a payment method. Participants are responsible for the $20 (per person) registration fee. The entire series of modules will take approximately 3-4 hours, so please plan some time accordingly.
For more workshop information and registration link, go to the 4-H Shooting Sports web page. Or contact your local Nebraska Extension Office or Steve Pritchard at (402)395-2158 or (308)536-2691. Registration is available only online at the link provided in the brochure or they can register directly by visiting https://4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports.
Shooting Sports Youth needed for the above training on Sunday, October 23rd from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
In order for the new instructors to be certified, they need youth to practice with. Please let the Extension Office know if you would be available for this one hour. All equipment will be on site, just need to bring themselves. Thanks for your help!!!
Senior Pictures Needed Soon
If you are going to be a senior this school year, please email a copy of your favorite vertical senior picture to the Extension Office to be used for the 2023 Senior Banners by October 26th.
In order to receive your banner, you must be enrolled in 4-H for the 2022-2023 4-H year. The banners will be revealed at Achievement Night in November.
4-H Council Elections
If you would like to place your name on the 4-H Council ballot please contact the Extension Office at 402-269-2301 or a Nominating Committee member. 4-H Council Nominating Committee includes:
- Julie Van Meter jvanmeter001@gamil.com
The 4-H Council needs one youth and one adult from each of the three districts for a two-year term. The 4-H council normally meets 10 times a year to provide guidance to the Otoe County 4-H program. Please consider placing your name on the ballot! Please let us know by Friday, October 14th if you are interested.
National 4-H Week
This year’s National 4-H Week is coming up on October 2-8. Join the #4HWeek celebration on social media and help us celebrate the remarkable 4-H youth in our community!
Fall Leaf Collection Workshop
Take advantage of fall's beautiful colors to create a leaf collection. Join us on Tuesday, October 11 for the first part of this workshop being put on by Steve Karloff. It will take place at 4:00 p.m. at the Nebraska City High School Community Classroom.
The cost to participate is $5 and space is limited to the first 15 registrants. Must be 10 years or older. To register, call or email the Extension Office.
Club of Excellence
It’s time to submit your annual Club of Excellence summary form! The Nebraska 4-H Club of Excellence designation recognizes and celebrates 4-H clubs for successfully engaging and empowering members. To receive and maintain the designation, clubs must meet a particular set of criteria and submit an annual summary form to their local Extension office. More information and blank summary forms are available at 4h.unl.edu/clubs-excellence. These are due to the Extension Office by October 1st.
4-H Foundation Charity Shoot
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation Charity Shoot is coming up on Thursday, September 29, at the Oak Creek Sporting Club in Brainard. Proceeds from the event support 4-H shooting sports, camps, and leadership training programs, as well as national recognition and awards trips for youth. Register as an individual or a team at ne4hfoundation.org/charity-shoot.
4-H STEM Challenge
Whether you’re a club leader, school teacher, or homeschool parent, the 4-H STEM Challenge is a great way to inspire your youth to participate in STEM through hands-on learning! This year’s 4-H STEM Challenge, Explorers of the Deep, focuses on the mysteries and adventures of ocean exploration with robots! It includes three activities that youth can do all at once or individually. Kits are available for purchase, including all the basic materials needed to complete each activity. Youth and facilitator guides are available as free downloads. Dive in at 4-h.org/parents/4-h-stem-challenge.
4-H Foundation Trail Ride
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation is hosting its annual Trail Ride on October 14-16! The fundraising event includes a guided trail ride through the scenic Nebraska National Forest near Halsey, delicious meals, family activities, and great entertainment. All proceeds support the Nebraska 4-H camp programs. Register now at ne4hfoundation.org/trailride.
2023 Judging Sign-Up
Are you interested in judging 4-H projects, contests, or shows next year? Head over to 4h.unl.edu/judges and complete the sign-up form. But hurry–time is running out! You must sign up by September 30, 2022, to have your contact information included in our 2023 list.
September & October 4-H Calendar
- September 23rd-25th: AKSARBEN
- October 1, 2022 - Award applications due in the Extension Office
- October 2-8, 2022 - National 4-H Week
- October 11, 2022 - Falling leaves workshop
Nebraska Extension in Otoe County
Deb Weitzenkamp, Unit Leader, Extension Educator, deb.weitzenkamp@unl.edu
Erin Steinhoff, Extension Assistant, erin.steinhoff@unl.edu
Cheryl Goff, Office Manager, cheryl.goff@unl.edu
Email: Otoe-County@unl.edu
Website: www.otoe.unl.edu
Location: 620 1st Street, Syracuse, Neb, USA
Phone: (402) 269-2301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nebraska-Extension-in-Otoe-County