Youth Travel Opportunities

4-H offers youth multiple excellent opportunities to travel beyond their county lines and to gain new experiences.  There is something for a child starting in 6th grade and above – and even for 4-H adult leaders!  All of the Wisconsin 4-H educational travel opportunities can be found, with extra details about each option, on the state website located HERE.

County Guidelines to Apply for Scholarships for Trips:

The Jackson County Parent and Leaders Board have developed the following process for trip scholarship selection in Jackson County.  Please note that you do NOT need to receive a Parent and Leaders Association scholarship to attend a trip.  These scholarships are offered to provide financial support to youth for continued educational purposes in 4-H.

To receive a scholarship to go on a trip outside of the county, you must complete THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION PROCESSES:

  1. Complete the Scholarships for Trips Application found on the Forms & Applications page
  2. Review the ‘Jackson County 4-H Application Guidelines for Scholarships and Trips‘ document on the Forms & Applications page
  3. Complete a Record Book
  4. Attend the Parent and Leaders Board interviews
  5. Submit application, resume, and cover letter by November 1st (postmarked by this date if mailing) to the Extension Office. No late applications will be accepted.

Personal interviews will be conducted in the middle or end of November.   Date and time to be determined.  If you cannot attend the November interview time, arrangements can be made for an alternative interview time.  All interviews must be completed before December.

Receive a scholarship for a trip upon return from an awarded trip. The recipient will give a 5-10 minute presentation at a Parent and Leaders Association meeting and any club meetings requested.

State, National, and International Trip Opportunities & Descriptions:

Below includes the different educational experiences offered, a bit of them, the dates, and the age group attending.  When more information about the applications and registration becomes available, it will be posted in the 4-H Flyer newsletter, bi-weekly emails, or the Jackson County Extension Facebook page.

  • Wisconsin 4-H & Youth Conference: Wisconsin 4-H & Youth Conference is a three and half-day Statewide Educational Experience. Youth from all over Wisconsin come to Madison, Wisconsin, for educational seminars, assemblies, speakers, exploration, and fun on the UW-Madison campus! Youth Conference is made possible by contributions from our State Teams (Wisconsin Leadership Council, Drama Company, Art Team, and Communications team), 4-H staff from across the state, and a planning committee of staff, volunteers, and youth. Below you will find highlights of the different parts of the Youth Conference that come together to make it a wonderful Educational Experience.
    • Generally takes place in the middle to end of June
    • For grades 7 through 10
    • Registration takes place in April
    • Direct Link for more information: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/wi4hedopp/wisconsin-4-h-youth-conference/
    • 2021-2022 Update:
      • For the past several years, there has been much discussion around the WI 4-H & Youth Conference.  Some new ideas have been proposed. Several staff members, youth leaders, and volunteers have expressed interest in helping frame out and develop new goals connected to Post-Secondary Pathways (PACE).

        We are hopeful that in 2022 we will be able to offer a youth conference back on the UW-Madison Campus with a new focus and direction.  In the next few months, we will be building out a planning team. If you are interested in learning more about Youth Conference and supporting an on-campus conference experience in 2022, please reach out to Joe Maldonado.

  • Space Camp:  Space Camp is just what you think it is – it’s a camp experience where you learn and experience a ton of different aspects about life as an astronaut, working at NASA, and exploring places beyond Earth! Wisconsin 4-H Space Camp participants experience the Pathfinder Program. The Pathfinder Program is a 3-day experience where youth participate in a variety of simulated space activities.
    • Generally takes place at the end of April.
    • There is an application process for this camp. Registration takes place November through December, and then in January, delegates are notified by the State 4-H Office if they are selected or wait-listed (limit of approximately 120 delegates).
    • For grades 6-8
    • Direct Link for more information: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/wi4hedopp/space-camp/
    • 2021-2022 Updates:
      • There have been a lot of discussions and questions regarding Space Camp.  Space Camp has become a sought-after program for our middle school-aged youth.  It has provided a unique opportunity for young people to connect and engage with youth from around the state and explore the exciting world of space.

         

      • WI 4-H will not be offering Space Camp in 2022.  This decision was not made lightly.  We evaluated the educational impacts on many levels. Although the program meets various youth development needs and engages middle school youth in meaningful and powerful ways, we are looking at how and if it fits our overall STEM programming goals and objectives.
  • Citizenship Washington Focus: Citizenship Washington Focus, or CWF for short, is the premier week-long 4-H citizenship and leadership experience. CWF brings 4-H delegations from all over the country to stay in the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, right outside our Nation’s Capital! Participants learn about the roles of Senators and Representatives in the United States government and how these parts work together to form an effective Congress. Additionally, youth get to see and experience government inaction by meeting with their State’s members of Congress and watching a House of Representatives meeting. Delegates also participate in various educational workshops.
    • There are two other weeks offered that take place in June and July.
    • Registration takes place in February
    • For grades 10-12
    • Direct Link for more information: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/wi4hedopp/citizenship-washington-focus/
    • 2021-2022 Update:
      • National 4-H Council plans to hold a Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) in Washington DC next summer.  Information regarding the 2022 CWF has not been shared with states.  The experience is still in the planning stages as National 4-H Council evaluates past programming efforts and secures a new location for the occasion.

         

      • We are confident that there will be CWF in 2022 and that Wisconsin will have a delegation.  Please feel free to promote, and as more information is provided, we will share it with you and members eligible to participate.
  • National 4-H Congress: National 4-H Congress is a five-day Educational Experience held in Atlanta, GA. Congress is the premier national event for 4-Hers to network with others from around the country, Canada, and Puerto Rico. While at Congress, 4-Hers engage in leadership, citizenship, global awareness, and inclusion.  Here are just some of the activities delegates will partake in a while at National Congress: educational workshops, exploring the city, state, and congress-wide meetings, international events, community service, educational tours, world-renowned speakers, and the National 4-H Congress Gala.
    • November 23-27, 2018
    • Delegates receive registration materials and information from their 4-H Program Coordinator in September.
    • For grades 10-12
    • Direct Link for more information: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/wi4hedopp/national-4-h-congress/
    • 2021-2022 Update:
      • At this time, we are planning on traveling to Atlanta, GA, with a delegation of 43.  The National 4-H Congress Design Team closely monitors COVID around the country and will continue to evaluate the situation and plan for the safest experience possible.  Correspondence was sent to all registered Wisconsin youth leaders last week.   Matt will follow up with staff and volunteers this week to finalize our Adult Advisor Team for this year’s experience.  THANK YOU to everyone who shared their interest and availability.

         

      • We are excited to be traveling and participating in National 4-H Congress, and we understand that there are still many questions and concerns from youth and families.  As we receive information, we will be sharing it with you and the registered participants.  If questions/concerns come to you, please have them reach out to Justin and Matt.
  • National 4-H Conference: National 4-H Conference annually brings 4-H youth and adults from around the nation to work towards strengthening and expanding the 4-H Youth Development program at the local, state, and national levels. National 4-H Conference is the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s premier youth development opportunity to engage youth in developing recommendations for the 4-H Youth Development Program. The National 4-H Headquarters is charged with sharing the recommendations from the conference with the Secretary of Agriculture, National Extension Program Leaders, and others who determine 4-H programs. At the same time, the forum is a rich and meaningful experience for the youth and adult participants. Held at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, it’s usually scheduled around the beginning of April. Last year, there were approximately 350 delegates, including seven from Wisconsin.
    • This generally takes place at the beginning to middle of April
    • There is a county application process that takes place in October or November.
    • For grades 10-12
    • Direct Link for more information: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/wi4hedopp/national-4-h-conference/
    • 2021-2022 Update:
      • We know National 4-H Conference will happen in the spring of 2022; however, we do not yet have details. Applications for National 4-H Conference will be available soon through 4H Online, with selection in early 2022.   Please consider encouraging young leaders you work with to apply!!

         

      • National 4-H Conference is a pinnacle civic engagement experience, providing a unique opportunity for young people from across the nation to connect, learn, engage, lead and plan for ways to impact their communities, their country, and their world.  National 4-H Conference Delegates work together to prepare briefings on important topics and then present their scheduled briefings to federal officials in Washington, D.C.   While participating, young leaders also have the opportunity to engage in personal development experiences that increase their knowledge, resources, and skills while discussing topics affecting youth and 4‑H programming nationwide.  Delegates not only learn while at the National 4-H Conference, but they are also empowered to create positive social change in their communities and have the opportunity to practice and apply their skills in a real-world setting.
  • International Opportunities to host or travel: Wisconsin 4-H International Programs emphasizes the 4-H values of belonging and understanding through international exchange. In today’s ever-changing world, the skill of global citizenship becomes more and more critical all the time. Help the youth in your community build bridges and connect with others from around the world!
    • You can participate in any of the following:
      • Homestay Abroad
      • Host for One Month
      • Host for an Academic Year
    • For more direct information about international opportunities, please refer to the following website: https://wi4hinternational.org/
    • 2021-2022 Updates:
      • We have had a robust 4-H International Program in Wisconsin for years. COVID has provided us with an opportunity to evaluate the programs we have offered and strategize for future offerings.  Adam Riley, UW Madison Student and WI 4-H International Program Assistant, will provide some Virtual Global Citizenship Programming this fall and work with volunteers and staff to start planning for some possible exchange experiences in 2022.

         

      • If you are interested in helping support, promote, and plan for WI 4-H International/Global Citizenship Programming, please complete this quick form by September 15.

In-County Opportunities:

  • 4-H Summer Camp:  This generally occurs at the beginning to middle of July at the Lost Falls Campground (west of Black River Falls).  Youth will explore the beautiful outdoors of Jackson County.  We’ll camp along the river at Lost Falls Campground in tents and listen to the owls’ hoot and raccoons skitter through the night. Summer Camp is for youth who have just completed 3rd-6th grade (4-H and non-4-H alike).
    • Registration generally opens in the middle of March.
    • For more information, check out the website HERE.
  • 4-H Cloverbud Summer Camp: This generally takes place in the beginning to middle of July and has, in the past, lasted from 8 AM-4 PM at the Lost Falls Campground (west of Black River Falls).  Cloverbud-age (just finishing K-2nd grade) youth will have a chance to join in the fun at Lost Falls Campground during one day of Summer Camp. Cloverbud participants will have hands-on fun and adventure.
    • Registration generally opens in the middle of March
    • For more information, check out the website HERE.