From fairgrounds to classrooms, community parks to college labs, 4-H youth in Shawano County are proving they’re not just ready for the future, they’re beyond ready.
During National 4-H Week, celebrated Oct. 5-11, local clubs are showcasing how 4-H equips young people with the skills, confidence, and resilience to lead in a world full of opportunity and change.
As part of the celebration, lawn displays created by 4-H clubs and families are popping up throughout the county. Shawano County 4-H includes 19 community clubs, two after-school programs in Marion and Gresham, and outreach programming through Safe Haven, Mohican Family Center, and Bridge the Gap, providing opportunities for youth across the county to learn, grow, and connect.
As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H empowers 6 million young people nationwide through hands-on learning experiences in clubs, camps, school programs, and community events. Through the Beyond Ready initiative, 4-H aims to prepare 10 million youth for work and life by 2030. Locally, 4-H offers youth opportunities to develop skills and explore interests through project meetings and educational experiences in visual arts, horses, dogs, dairy, livestock, rabbits, poultry and shooting sports.
Youth are encouraged to challenge themselves through local, regional, and state competitions and events, including the All Star Shoot Out, Small Animal Fun Show, Livestock Judging Team, Dairy Judging Team, and Dog Knowledge Bowl Team. They can also discover new sparks, or areas of interest, through Spark Saturdays, featuring hour-long try-it sessions on Nov. 7 in Marion and Jan. 23 in Shawano.
For older youth, leadership opportunities abound. Teens train for six months to become 4-H camp counselors, welcoming more than 100 campers each summer to 4-H Camp MarOcoSha at Camp Bird. Additional educational experiences such as Trapping Education and Lifetime Certification and Kayak/Water Safety Skills help prepare youth with practical skills they can carry throughout their lives. Youth serve as officers in local clubs and committee chairs in county-wide groups, like Livestock.
None of this would be possible without dedicated volunteers who help deliver 4-H programs. From supporting youth in officer roles during club meetings to coaching teams that compete at national competitions, volunteers play a critical role in helping young people develop teamwork, resilience, communication, and leadership skills. These experiences not only prepare youth for future careers but also equip them to become engaged and successful members of their communities for life.
“National 4-H Week is a powerful reminder that young people are already leading in extraordinary ways,” said Jill Bramble, president and CEO of the National 4-H Council. “Through 4-H, youth discover their strengths, build lifelong career and life skills, and create opportunities for real change in their communities. They aren’t waiting for tomorrow — they are stepping up today and are Beyond Ready.”
During National 4-H Week, almost 27,000 Wisconsin 4-H youth members will wear green, participate in community service projects, and share their stories on social media using #4HBeyondReady and #National4HWeek. Shawano County 4-H will wrap up 4-H week with its Fall Fun 4-H Fest at noon Oct. 11 at Shawano Lake County Park, W5785 Lake Drive, Shawano.
For information, contact Megan Suehring, 4-H positive youth development educator, at msuehring@wisc.edu or 715-526-6136,or visit https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/shawano4h.
Lane Laubscher, Zoey Riesenberg, Charlotte Johnson, Lydia Henn and Morgan Riesenberg develop their soda recipes and marketing plans during the first Shawano Library Lock In held Aug. 6-7. (Contributed)
