Older Youth Opportunities

Leadership Roles, Trips and Conferences, and Awards

A wide variety of opportunities exist for Lincoln County 4-H older youth — participating in leadership roles, attending conferences and trips, and applying for awards.  County-wide leadership roles. trip scholarships and several of the awards need to be applied for though the county with the yearly “Older Youth Resume Process”.  Youth can apply for most of the state-wide conferences and trips directly through the 4HOnline registration program

Don’t forget! If you would like to earn a scholarship to help pay for any of these educational opportunities, you need to apply for those through the Older Youth Opportunities Resumé process. Click on the button for the workbook!

For a complete overview of all the awesome programs that Wisconsin 4-H Provides, check out the 2023 Wi 4-H Programming Book!

Or click on a tab below to see information on some of the more popular educational opportunities.

Not sure if these wonderful opportunities will fit in your budget? Contact the 4-H Educator for grant opportunities locally or from the WI 4-H Foundation.

County Wide Leadership Roles

Ambassador Program Temp. Suspended

Open to:  Grades 7 and above
When:  All Year Long

Being a Lincoln County 4-H Ambassador is both an honor and a privilege. 4-H Ambassadors are not only the face of Lincoln County 4-H but they are leaders. Ambassadors will have the opportunity to help 4-H in many ways. Ambassadors can customize their volunteer leadership experience around what they really feel passionate about! Some of the options are: emcee Talent Explosion or Communications Contest; create 4-H activities; promote 4-H at Community events and parades, and of course, represent 4-H at the Lincoln County Fair. Ambassadors share their 4-H story with others and promote 4-H to youth throughout the county.

Apply through the Older Youth Opportunities Resumé process.  Completed resumé is due November 11, 2022.

State Leadership Roles

State Groups

  • Open to:  Grades 9 – 12
  • Time commitment/dates: April 14 – 16 and June 14 – 22, 2023
  • Registration DeadlineNovember 1, 2022
  • For more information, including cost, specific application requirements and exact dates, visit the website.
  • How to apply: Apply through 4-H Online.

4-H Drama Team

4-H Drama Company creates a stage performance involving acting, song and dance in the five days leading up to 4-H and Youth Conference. Show content is a collaborative effort between company members and their director. Each Drama Company member contributes ideas for the show and works with the group to problem solve issues on the set and in the script. Drama Company takes their show on to the Wisconsin State Fair where they perform for fair goers from across the state.  Be an actor, technician or assistant to the director!
Drama Company Youth Position Description
Drama Company Adult Position Description

4-H Art Team

4-H Art Team creates artwork around the theme of the Wisconsin 4-H and Youth Conference as well as designing and organizing the WI 4-H and Youth Conference art exhibit, reception and guided exhibit tours. The team members also teach seminars and train to be peer leaders for county and regional events including the Wisconsin State Fair. The 4-H Art Team is led by a professional artist who teaches team members artistic techniques using a variety of mediums.
Arts Team Youth Position Description
–  Arts Team Adult Position Description

Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council

  • Open to:  Grades 9 – 11 (at time of election)
  • Time commitment/dates:  Various events throughout the year, See application for specifics
  • Registration deadlineOctober 14, 2022
  • For more information, including cost and specific attendance requirements, visit the website and read the application
  • How to apply: 2022-2023 WLC Application.

The Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council (WLC) provides a statewide forum for youth and adult volunteer leaders to discuss ideas and provide input to enhance UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development programs at the state, county and local levels. WLC members:

  • Serve as leaders and role models for 4-H youth and adults
  • Advocate for Wisconsin 4-H
  • Provide input for enhancing the 4-H program
  • Provide educational opportunities to 4-H members and leaders
  • Connect the county, regional and state levels of Wisconsin 4-H, as well as the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation

Elected at the annual Fall Forum, the WLC helps to plan that annual event, along with the State Youth Leader Conference and UW-Extension Day and Meat Products Auction at Wisconsin State Fair.

Educational Experiences and Conferences

American Spirit East

  • Open to:  Grades 8 – 10 (at time of registration)
  • Participation types: Youth Delegate, Adult Advisor
  • Time commitment/dates: Choice of two different weeks in June/July 2023 (Friday to following Sunday)
  • Registration: November 1 – December 1 (First come, first served on date choice)
  • How to register: Register through 4-H Online

Youth learn about America’s heritage and build awareness of the many steps taken to gain U.S. independence and freedom by visiting historical sites in Philadelphia, New York, Boston.

Cost:  Approximately $1400
Scholarship available!  Apply through the Older Youth Opportunities Resumé process.  Completed resumé is due November 11, 2022.

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

  • Open to:  Grades 10 – 12 (at time of registration), Minimum 15 yrs of age during the program.
  • Participation types: Youth Delegate, Adult Advisor
  • Time commitment/dates: Choice of two different weeks in June/July 2023 (Saturday to following Saturday)
  • Registration: November 15 – December 15, 2022 (First come, first served on date choice)
  • How to register: Register through 4-H Online

Wisconsin 4-H youth are selected to attend this leadership program held at the National 4-H Center in Washington, D.C.  Participants learn the importance of civic and social responsibilities as they relate to the development of better citizens and leaders.  The week consists of participatory workshops, speakers, committee work, field trips and social events.

Cost:  Approximate total cost of $1600
Scholarship available!  Apply through the Older Youth Opportunities Resumé process.  Completed resumé is due November 11, 2022.

U.S. Space Camp

  • Open to:  Grades 6 – 8 (at time of registration), Maximum15 yrs of age during the program.
  • Participation types: Youth Delegate, Youth Counselor, Adult Advisor
  • Time commitment/dates: April 20-24, 2023 (tentative)
  • Registration: November 1 – December 1, 2022 (First come, first served on date choice)
  • How to register: Register through 4-H Online.

Delegates participate in hands-on mock space missions and other STEM activities in this NASA program while exchanging ideas with youth from across Wisconsin.

Cost:  Approximate total cost of $900.
Scholarship available!  Apply through the Older Youth Opportunities Resumé process.  Completed resumé is due November 11, 2022.

Summer Academy

  • Open to:  Grades 7 – 10 (at time of registration)
  • Participation types: Youth
  • Time commitment/dates: June 19 – 22, 2023
  • Registration: April 2 – 15, 2023 (First come, first served on date choice of seminars)
  • How to register: Register through 4-H Online.

Students will be able to choose from 7 SPARK tracks to learn what it takes to have a career or hobby in a field that fits them the best. These tracks are:

Arts & Communication
Leadership & Civic Engagement
Agriculture & Animal Science
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
Human Services (Head, Heart, Hands, and Health)
Construction & Trades
Hospitality Management & Culinary Science

During the event, there will also be fun activities and entertainment from the Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council, the Wisconsin 4-H Drama Company, and more!

Cost:  Approximate total cost of $350.

National 4-H Congress

  • Open to:  Grades 10 – 12 (at time of participation, maximum age of 18 on Jan. 1 of program year)
  • Participation types: Youth Delegate, Adult Advisor
  • Time commitment/dates: Nov. 24 – 28, 2023 (Friday after Thanksgiving – Tuesday)
  • Registration: May 1 – June 1, 2023
  • How to register: Register through 4-H Online

National 4-H Congress is a five-day Educational Experience held in Atlanta, GA. Congress is the premiere nation-wide event for 4-Hers to network with others from around the country, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Delegates will gain many new connections that will last a lifetime.

Cost:  Approximate total cost of $1350.
Scholarship available!  Apply through the Older Youth Opportunities Resumé process.  Completed resumé is due November 11, 2022.

National 4-H Conference (Consideration at State Level)

  • Open to:  Grades 10 – 12 (at time of participation, minimum age of 15 and maximum age of 18 on Jan. 1 of program year)
  • Participation types: Youth Delegate
  • Time commitment/dates: April 14 – 19, 2023 (Sat. am – Thursday)
  • Registration: September 15, 2022 – January 15, 2023How to register: Application process. 
  • 2023 National 4-H Conference Application Packet – coming soon

Lincoln County may nominate one youth per year to receive an application to compete to be one of six (6) to eight (8) Wisconsin youth selected to attend this working civic conference held at the National 4-H Center in Washington, D.C.  Each delegate selects an issue and collaborates with youth from across the country in an effort to help better direct future 4-H programming.  Delegates spend the majority of time contributing to stimulating, task-oriented groups.  One day is spent on Capitol Hill meeting with Wisconsin legislators.

Cost:  Approximate total cost of $1300.
Scholarship available!  Apply through the Older Youth Opportunities Resumé process.  Completed resumé is due November 11, 2022.

National 4-H Dairy Conference (Consideration at State Level)

Post High School Scholarships and 4-H Awards

Lincoln County 4-H Post-High School Education Scholarship

Open to:  Current 4-H member who is graduating from high school or is attending a college/university.

The Lincoln County 4-H Leaders Association, Inc., may award up to three $500 scholarships (two from the Leaders Association and one provided by funds donated from the O’Tannenbaum tour) to qualified applicants.  This award must be used for programs of study at any accredited college, university, or technical college.  The recipient will be paid the $500 award by the Lincoln County 4-H Leaders Association, Inc. when the Association has received written notification that the recipient has completed one grading period of study and is registered for the second period of study.

How to apply:  Apply through the Scholarship Application Google Form Completed application is due May 1st, 2022.

"I Dare You" Award

Open to: Current 4-H member, grade 9 -11

This award is given in recognition of personal integrity, balanced living, and potential leadership.  The “I Dare You” Leadership Award is made available each year by the American Youth Foundation.  William H. Danforth, founder of Ralston Purina Company in St. Louis, who dared young people to achieve their highest potential and to influence others through lives of service, first offered the award in 1941.  The award takes its name from the book, “I Dare You”, written by Mr. Danforth, in which he commends the balanced life of mental, physical, social and spiritual development as the backbone of leadership.  Award recipients receive a personalized award certificate, a copy of I Dare You!, William H. Danforth’s classic motivational book, and an invitation to join other young leaders at the National Leadership Conference.  The awards are presented at the following year’s annual recognition banquet usually held in October.

How to apply: Apply through the Older Youth Opportunities Resumé process.  Completed resumé is due November 11, 2022.

Key Award

Open to: Current 4-H member, grade 9 and above, who has 3 years of 4-H experience and one year as a youth leader

The Key Award is one of the highest recognition a 4-H member can receive.  The Wisconsin 4-H Key Award is to provide special recognition to 4-H members who have demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership ability, and actively participated in club and community.  The awards are presented at the following year’s annual 4-H recognition banquet usually held in October.

How to apply: Apply through the Older Youth Opportunities Resumé process.  Completed resumé is due November 11, 2022.

James W. Crowley Dairy Leadership Award

Open to: Current 4-H member, grade 10 – 12, must be currently enrolled in the 4-H Dairy Project and has at least two previous years of membership in the 4-H Dairy Project.

The James W. Crowley Dairy Leadership program provides recognition to youth who have excelled in their dairy project. The James W. Crowley Dairy Management and Extension Fund is the sponsor of this award.  We are pleased to name the award in honor and memory of James W. Crowley, a longtime Extension Dairy Specialist and strong supporter of dairy youth projects.  County Award winners are eligible to compete for 15 state-wide awards.  State winners will receive plaques and the top two youth in the state competition will each receive $500 awards for continuing their dairy education.

How to apply:  Talk to your Dairy Project Leader or 4-H educator.  They will need to start the process for you, please monitor the website for exact details and deadlines. Application deadline is usually in May.

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Funding these Opportunities:

The Lincoln County 4-H Board of Directors supports the leadership education of our older 4-H youth through:

  • Support of the Lincoln County 4-H Ambassadors
  • Recognition of Outstanding 4-H Youth though the “I Dare You” and “Key” awards
  • Scholarships toward larger 4-H Conferences and Trips
  • Scholarships for post-high school education

Youth can also earn funds towards older youth opportunities by working in the 4-H Dairyland Stand or selling raffle tickets at the Lincoln County Fair.  Funds earned by youth in this manner accumulate each year and will be held in their name by the Leaders’ Association until the youth requests to use them. Download the funds request form below and return to the Extension 4-H office or to the Leader’s Association Treasurer.

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