Today is National Ugly Sweater Day! 4-Hers can make an "ugly sweater", model it in the Fashion Show and enter it in the Beyond the Needle project as an Embellished Garment.

EMBELLISHED GARMENT WITH ORIGINAL DESIGN -

Create a garment using intermediate or advanced techniques as defined in the project manual. Designs are the original idea of the 4-Her using the elements and principles of design to make an original statement. The garment can be constructed or purchased.

See this area of the fairbook at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/pdfs/4-H/4h-sarpy-fair-clothing-shopping-2022.pdf

See more 2023 4-H project ideas at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.642169387476476&type=3

To enroll in 4-H for 2023, click here.

For returning families, please do not create a new account; rather use your log-in credentials for 4honline used in previous years. Instructions can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member. Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member.

Please note the enrollment fee for Douglas-Sarpy counties is $10 per member and is paid online. Enrollments are due June 15, 2023.

Please contact Mary Dierks at mdierks@sarpy.com with any questions.

New 4-H Volunteers for Douglas-Sarpy 4-H will need to be screened and have a background check done. Volunteers may not work with youth until volunteer enrollment and screening is complete. To begin the screening process visit and enroll via 4-H Online.

For those 4-Hers anticipating showing Beef, Sheep, Goats or Swine at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair and AKSARBEN Stock Show, there are a few changes for 2023

*NEW*

All Breeding Beef, Breeding Sheep, Breeding Swine and Breeding Goats MUST have hair pulled and DNA sample submitted along with being nominated in Show Stock Manager by June 15th, 2023.

All Feeder Calves must also have hair pulled and DNA sample submitted and the animal must be nominated in Show Stock Manager by June 15, 2023.

This change allows breeding animals to also be nominated for Market Classes, however that animal may still only be shown in one division. (Market or Breeding, not both)

All Market Beef, Market Swine and Feeder Calves must still have an 840 EID tag like normal.

For more information, contact Brett Kreifels, Urban Program Coordinator at brett.kreifels@unl.edu

Hello 4-H Staff and Families –

We’ve learned over the past few years how important developing programming to meet your needs in an ever-changing environment is to our mission of providing 4-H Horse Program youth with learning opportunities. With the changing needs and desires for the program, we are updating our events to better meet the current interests of youth. One of the things we consistently hear is the need for more hands-on learning, especially through workshops and clinics.

To meet that need, we are excited to offer a series of clinics during the summer of 2023 that will be led by Carla Wennberg, Western Collegiate Equestrian Team Coach from St. Andrews University. Carla brings a wealth of experience leading clinics and is a certified horse show judge for several associations across the country. Details on sites and dates will be forthcoming!

Additionally, we have spent time reviewing the intent and outcomes of District 4-H Horse Shows. The intent of these shows was for youth to qualify for the State 4-H Horse Show. Throughout the years, the number of exhibitors who qualify has increased dramatically to a point where 80-90% of exhibitors qualify. These percentages, along with declining numbers indicate these District Shows are no longer serving the intent and instead causing an extra burden for families of exhibitors who want to participate in the State 4-H Horse Show. Hence, beginning in 2023, participation in a District 4-H Horse Show will not be required to participate in the State 4-H Horse Show. This is also similar to the process used by other state livestock events (i.e., State Fair, AKSARBEN, etc.) and will allow more youth the opportunity to experience the State 4-H Horse Show. As safety is always our most important concern, being able to provide more opportunities for learning through workshops and clinics will allow youth to increase their skills and further develop with their project horse(s) in preparation for the State 4-H Horse Show.

Please let us know if there are any questions and thanks to the 4-H Horse Advisory Committee for their input into the process. Be on the lookout for equine related clinics across the state with nationally known Carla Wennberg from St. Andrews University in June 2023!

Lena Luck, Equine Extension Specialist

Grace Kim, Extension Horse Assistant

For more information about the Douglas-Sarpy 4-H program, contact Alaina at alaina.kauffman@unl.edu

Attend a FREE Zoom meeting to learn how you can start a club in your community. This meeting will provide you with the resources you need to get started. Registration is required to get the Zoom link.

Date: February 16, 2023

Time: 6-7 PM

Registration: https://forms.gle/LLFe3XoWDUopWgTg6

Date: May 10, 2023

Time: 6-7 PM

Registration: https://forms.gle/wDQ58cSkF3uBjQhi7

When: February 9, 2023

Time 5:30-7:30 PM

Cost: $15

Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha

During the workshop, youth will learn jewelry making basics. Youth will be guided through the jewelry making process and get hands-on experience using tools of the trade. Youth will design, create, and take home their own necklace or bracelet!

Registration Deadline: January 27, 2023

Registration link: https://forms.gle/KHhzxQykByhJr7zc6

For youth ages 10-18, 8-9 year-olds can participate if they have an adult stay with them for the workshop.

Mark your calendars–Big Red Camps will be June 11-16, 2023.

Big Red Summer Academic Camps are residential, career exploration camps held at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. By participating in a camp youth get the opportunity to explore the Nebraska campus, meet people from across the country, spend time investigating an interest or potential career, and have a lot of fun! During the week-long camps, participants will work with our university faculty to explore the topic of their particular camp, like filmmaking or crop science. After spending several fun-filled days on campus, participants' families are invited to attend a special capstone event where youth showcase their achievements.

More details will be coming soon! Learn about last year's camps at https://4h.unl.edu/big-red-camps

2023 4-H Youth Leadership Conference is happening!!

We have NEW dates and a NEW location!!

Date: June 19 -21, 2023

Location: Camp Comeca, Cozad, NE

Learn more about this fun opportunity with Stacey Keys at stacey.keys@unl.edu

Nebraska 4-H Summer Camp 2023

“Adventure Together”

4-H Camp @ Chadron

June 5-9

Get ready for a week of epic adventure! We’ll explore the modern wilderness of Nebraska on horseback and by foot with a hike through the trees you’ve learned to identify while searching for tracks of native wildlife. We’ll also travel to the Agate Fossil Beds and explore what animals existed in prehistoric Nebraska 23 million years ago! Test your aim with an archery challenge course in the morning and cool off in the afternoon with a trip down the Super Slide!

4-H Camp @ Cozad

June 16-20

If you’re ready to challenge yourself this is the camp for you. High Ropes, Zip line, and Rock wall, oh my! Cheer on your new friends as you conquer the challenge course together. Teamwork makes the dream work while canoeing and getting up close with the aquatic life in Nebraska’s waterways. Get ready for the best game of gaga ball and 9 square in the air you’ve ever played, then finish your day with s’mores around the campfire.

4-H Camp @ Ashland

June 26-29

It’s time for an “in-tents” outdoor adventure at Mahoney State Park! We’ll be honing our survival skills while taking advantage of all the great things our state park has to offer! When we’re not cooking over the campfire, we’ll be exploring the forest from the tree canopy on the ropes course. Now that summer has officially started, we’ll cool down with a trip down the waterslide and a splash in the pool. Nothing makes memories like new friends and campfire songs!

4-H Camp @ Burwell

July 16-20

Let’s have a North Loup River adventure! This week we’ll explore the native flora and fauna by land and water. On land we’ll go geocaching, search for animal tracks to cast, and get to play an awesome game of capture the flag before gathering around the campfire for s’mores and songs. By water we’ll canoe down the Upper Loup, have a chance to go fishing, or splash around with our friends to beat the heat.

4-H Camp @ Louisville

July 27-30

Close out the summer with an “in-tents” experience at Platte River State Park! Together we’ll practice our archery skills, visit Crawdad Creek to investigate the aquatic life, and hike the waterfall trail. Don’t forget your water shoes so we can canoe down the Platte River and splash away the afternoon at the spray park! We’ll end the day with s’mores and songs, leaving camp with lifelong best friends!