4-H Trips & Awards

Applications for these Trips and Awards are found on our Forms & Applications page. Most of them require the trip application or the Member Evaluation form, Award / Trip Preference form and a County interview. All applications are due by the end of September.

Form Requirement Chart for Awards & Trips (PDF)

4-H Trips

American Spirit Award — Eight day bus trip to New York, Philadelphia, and New England, including, Boston. Participants learn about and visit the places where the American Revolution and the birth of our nation took place. To apply for the award complete the application for American Spirit form, Award/Trip Preference form, and go through a County interview process and the youth starting grades 7 thru 9 and up to 5 may be selected. The application is due by the end of September. Cost of trip is shared with Marathon County Leaders Federation.

Citizenship Washington Focus – Nine day bus trip during the summer to Washington D.C. Approximately 200 Wisconsin 4-H Youth are selected to attend this leadership program held at the National 4-H Center. 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. Open to youth starting grades 10 -12 and up to 5 youth may be selected. To apply for the award complete the Member Evaluation form, Award/Trip Preference Form, and go through a County interview process. All applications are due by the end of September. Cost of trip is shared with Marathon County Leaders Federation.

CO-OP Y.E.S. (Youth Educational Summit) – Participants will learn the purpose, operation and scope of cooperative business and economy in a fun and educational environment. Participants also explore career possibilities and meet youth leaders from across Wisconsin and Minnesota. Members in grades 10 – 12 may apply. Cost of trip is shared with Marathon County Leaders Federation.

National 4-H Conference – Six (6) youth are selected to attend this working conference held at the National 4-H Center. Each participant selects an issue and works with other youth from across the country to develop plans that help 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 legislators and touring. Members in grades 10 – 12 may apply. To apply for the award complete the Member Evaluation form and conduct the interview, and then are recommended to State Level from where the youth are selected. All applications are due by the end of September. Cost of trip is shared with Marathon County Leaders Federation.

National 4-H Congress – Youth are selected to attend this youth leadership conference in Atlanta. Delegates participate in self-development seminars, tours, and a service project, while exchanging ideas with youth from across the country. Members starting in grades 10 – 12 may apply. To apply for the award complete the Member Evaluation form, Award/Trip Preference form, and go through a County interview process. Cost of trip is shared with Marathon County Leaders Federation.

Space Camp – Youth in grades 6 thru 8 can apply for this trip. They are selected for this conference which is held in Huntsville, Alabama usually in April. Delegates participate in hands-on mock space missions and other activities in this NASA program while exchanging ideas with youth from across Wisconsin. To apply for the trip complete the application for Space Camp form, Award/Trip Preference form, and go through a County interview process. Cost of trip is shared with Marathon County Leaders Federation.

Wisconsin 4-H & Youth Conference – Approximately 600 youth attend this educational event in Madison each summer. Participants take part in educational seminars and assemblies and meet people from across Wisconsin. They are encouraged to take what they learn and share it with others in their home community. Members starting in grades 7 thru 10. Youth have the opportunity to attend this conference more than once – but must apply to attend this conference each time. To apply for the award complete the application for State 4-H Conference form, Award/Trip Preference form, and go through a County interview process. Cost of trip is shared with Marathon County Leaders Federation.

At the annual Fall Banquet, clubs are recognized for their various accomplishments by completing the award application located under the forms or by submitting their club books. All the forms/books are due by the end of September to the 4-H office. Most awards require the completion and submission of a form, these include Enrollment, Member Evaluation, Rank Award, Scholarship, and Project Award.

4-H Club Awards:

Marathon County 4-H Community Service Project Award Form – The form is on web site and is to be completed for each Community Service project completed. Clubs can receive a Gold, Silver, or Bronze ranking based upon the Small Club, Medium Club and Large Club size for the items submitted.

Scrapbook – Club Scrapbooks are recognized for the neat, accurate and eye appealing information collected and stored during the year of the clubs activities and events.

Secretary’s Book – Club Secretary’s are recognized for the neat and accurate completion of the Secretary’s Book. The entire book is to be submitted.

4-H County Awards for Leaders/Volunteers:

Adult awards which are selected from nominations from the clubs off the Adult Award Nomination form submitted by the end of September.

C.J. McAleavy Award – Recognizes dedication to the Marathon County 4-H program on a club and county-wide level. The C.J. McAleavy Award is given to a 4-H leader who has contributed a great deal to the local and county program over a considerable period of time. They are selected through people who are nominated from people from the clubs.

Clover Power Plus Award – The Clover Power Plus Award is awarded each year to recognize adult 4-H volunteer(s) who reach youth from multiple clubs or county basis. They are selected through people who are nominated from people from the clubs.

Friend of 4-H Award (Volunteer of the Year) – Recognizes non 4-H volunteer or business from the community who supports 4-H for the past year. They are selected through people who are nominated from people from the clubs.

4-H County Awards / Opportunities for Youth Members:

4-H Leaders’ Federation Scholarship – The 4-H Leader’s Federation offers up to five scholarships to assist and encourage Marathon County 4-H members to pursue a higher education at a college or technical institute. To apply, any person must have been in a Marathon County 4-H for five (5) years, a full-time under-graduate student entering at least their second year of college. They must have completed at least 24 college credits and carry a college GPA of 2.5 or better. To apply for the scholarship, the application and recommendation must be completed and submitted by the end of September.

Achievement Awards – Recognition for overall achievement on a project, club, or country basis. This award is for youth enrolling in 7th – 9th grade. To be considered youth must fill out a Member Evaluation form and Award/Trip Preference form. Youth are selected on the basis of the information on the form by the committee.

Brice Bender Award – The Brice Bender Award recognizes active participation in the 4-H program at the club and county level. Two awards are given to youth starting in grades 1 – 7 and then 8 – 13. The award is a cash voucher for future 4-H participation in an event or project. Completed Brice Bender applications are required and due by the end of September.

Camp Counselor – Youth in 8th grade or older may apply to be a counselor at Junior Camp. Youth in 10th grade or older may apply to be a counselor at Camp Upham. Youth learn leadership skills and are responsible for planning and teaching camp activities. Camp Counselor Applicationform is required and can be found on line. Form is usually due March 1st.

I.J. Corey Award – The family of Mr. I.J. Corey developed an award to recognize outstanding 4-H Dairy Exhibitors. The I.J. Corey Award recognizes an individual for their showmanship and project accomplishments. They are selected through an application and interview process during the Wisconsin Valley Fair.

Project Awards – Recognition for achievement in all project areas. One “senior” for youth in grades 9 -13, one intermediate for youth in grades 6 thru 8 and one “junior” for youth in grades 3 thru 5 award is available in each project area. Youth may receive only one award in each level of each project award in their 4-H work. Members can only apply for a total of 3 project awards per year and can only receive a total of 2 project awards per year. Completion of the Project Awardform is required and due at the end of September.

Project Award/Cloverbuds – Cloverbuds are recognized for their project work by submitting their project books by the end of September.

Project Award/Explorers – Explorers are recognized for the project work by submitting their project books by the end of September.

Rank Awards – Recognizes overall 4-H participation. Bronze, Silver and Gold levels may be achieved; however youth may only attain each level once, in a sequential order and only one rank a year. Appropriate pins are issued to recipients. Any member may apply, including Cloverbuds. Completion of the Rank Award form is required by the end of September.

Wisconsin 4-H Key Award – The Key Award is considered the highest member achievement in 4-H. Recipients are recognized for their contributions on the club, county, and state levels and for their leadership in the 4-H program. To apply for the award complete the Member Evaluation form and Award/Trip Preference form, and go through a County interview process. Form is due end of September.

Applications for these Trips and Awards are found on our Forms & Applications page >>

Additional trips may be added or changed through the year and advertised through the Family Focus newsletter.