4-H Activities

Marathon County 4-H has many informational, exciting, and fun activities for youth and adults to attend during the year. More information about these activities, including registration forms are available on this website and our social media channels. Here is a listing of our most popular activities:

Camping Programs – Summer camping excursions are planned for 4-H members in grades K – 12th. Camp includes crafts, swimming, boating, sports, nature hikes, educational programs, and meeting new friends. Junior Camp is for youth in grades 1 – 5th and is held at Camp Susan in July. Youth are welcome to bring non-4-H friends to attend. Please print and fill out necessary forms for 2019 Junior Camp at wi.4honline.com. A teen winter weekend is held in January or February along with neighboring counties for 4-H members in grades 8th – 12th.

Pre-Fair Contests – These events are held prior to the Wisconsin Valley Fair, but are Junior Fair entries.

  • Cake Revue – This program gives 4-H members the opportunity to be evaluated on their cake decorating skills. Participants answer judge’s questions and demonstrate cake decorating techniques. Blue ribbon cakes are shown at the Wisconsin Valley Fair for display.
  • Clothing, Knitting & Crocheting Revue – This program gives 4-H clothing members the opportunity to be evaluated on a garment they have constructed. Youth are evaluated on the fit of the garment, as well as their poise and self confidence. All members enrolled in corresponding projects are encouraged to participate in the Clothing Revue. Participants model at the Wisconsin Valley Fair. Youth also have the option to participate in the Clothing Revue at the Wisconsin State Fair in August.
  • Demonstration Contest – This contest provides youth the opportunity to do a demonstration on a subject they feel comfortable talking about. This helps them develop poise and confidence in speaking before a group. Youth can also participate in the event at the Wisconsin State Fair.
  • Foods Revue – Entries are conference judged with food preparation and nutrition questions asked. Be prepared to display one food item you have prepared; recipe for the food item must be included.  Include the menu for the entire meal. Table setting and centerpiece should be appropriate for the entry.
  • Music, Drama & Dance – This program gives 4-H members the opportunity to be evaluated on their vocal, instrumental, or drama skills. Evaluations are given to the participants by judges. All blue ribbon winners are required to repeat their performance at the Wisconsin Valley Fair.

Market Animal Show & Sale (MASS) – This program is designed to help young people learn to raise and care for meat animals (beef, swine, & sheep). It is offered to 4-H and FFA members in Marathon County in grades 3 – 13. Those who wish to participate must enroll in the program at the mandatory meeting in December. There are strict educational requirements and standards for animals raised and sold through the program. The sale takes place on Saturday of the Wisconsin Valley Fair.

Marathon County Dairy Heifer Project – This program is designed to help young people learn to raise dairy cattle. It is offered to 4-H and FFA members in Marathon County. Those who wish to participate must fill out the application below. In this program, you and a sponsor purchase a heifer calf and show it at the Wisconsin Valley Fair for two years. The second year the animal is put up for sale where the animal may be purchased by anyone. Deadline to apply is November 1, 2020.

Dairy Heifer Application

Wisconsin Valley Fair – The fair gives 4-H members a chance to display articles they made and worked on in their 4-H project during the year. At the fair, members will receive an evaluation from judges on their efforts, receive premiums, meet new friends, and share new ideas. Members need to sign up for projects during fall registration process. They may change their project selection up to March 1st.

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