Douglas 4-H Buzz

Are you interested in the poultry project, but aren't sure how to get started? If so, we have an opportunity for you. We are bringing back the Turkey Trek experience. Youth pay a flat fee for five turkey poults and feed for raising them through the county fair. The estimated time of arrival for the poults is late February to mid March. You are responsible for a place to raise them, with water and appropriate shelter, as part of the education. We are still working out the details, but watch for more information to come and get excited to raise some turkeys!

Douglas County is fortunate to have an amazing shooting sports program for youth 3rd grade and up. Anyone wishing to participate should be enrolled in shooting sports as a project in mn.4honline.com. You can still add this project, if you need assistance contact the office. The first meeting for the 2025-2026 4-H year is Sunday, January 4 at 1 pm at the Miltona Community Center. Come and check it out and see what 4-H shooting sports has to offer.

Counselors are the heart of summer camp and we are seeking youth (grades 9+) to serve as camp counselors at overnight 4-H camps this summer in Northwest Minnesota! Camp counselors provide hands-on, fun and interactive outdoor programming, lead cabin activities and supervise all aspects of the campers’ day. Selected camp counselors help plan camp and receive required counselor training throughout the planning process.

All counselors will attend an overnight 4-H camp counselor training held Friday, February 27, starting at 6 p.m. through Saturday, February 28 ending at 3 p.m. (location to be determined). In addition, each camp will host additional training to support and prepare camp counselors for their roles.

Counselors gain a wide variety of valuable life skills, including public speaking, program planning and leadership. Many past counselors have contributed the skills they gained as a camp counselor to aiding them in gaining employment, receiving scholarships, and being admitted to college. Counselors also have a lot of fun and gain lifelong friendships!

There are three 4-H overnight camp opportunities for you to choose from. You may apply for one or multiple camps.

• 4-H Camp @ Sand Hill Lake at Fosston, MN (June 1-4, 2026)

• 4-H Jr. Camp @ Faith Haven, Battle Lake, MN (June 10-12, 2026)

• 4-H Outdoor Adventures Camp @ Lake Bronson, MN (August 3-6, 2026)

*Dates include time required at the camp site. Please note additional training dates referenced in the counselor application.

Please use this application (z.umn.edu/NWCampCounselorApplication) to apply to be a camp counselor at any of the camps listed above. You can also find out more information here (z.umn.edu/NWCounselorInfo). If you prefer a paper version of the application, you can find that here (z.umn.edu/NWCounselorAppPaper).

Please note the application does include specific details on time involved and requirements for each camp. Applications are due by Monday, January 12, 2026. If you have any questions about camp, or how to apply, you can contact your local Extension Office, or the camp-specific contact persons listed on the application.

The Morris Regional 4-H Camp is looking for camp counselors—and YOU could be one! Calling all future leaders grade 7 and up—this is your chance to bring the hype, guide the games, and be the reason campers have the best summer camp experience! New friends, laughs, and unforgettable moments await. Camp is June 23-25, 2026 (counselors arrive June 22) at University of Minnesota Morris campus.

Application deadline is January 15 by the end of business day (online submissions only). There is mandatory training one Saturday in April (date to be determined.) Apply Here!

• Director (Gr. 11+)
• Camp Counselors (Gr. 7+)
• Support Counselors( Gr. 7+)

For questions or more information, please contact Becca Golden, turnq069@umn.edu, Jacob Halper, halpe120@umn.edu or Kylee Sherod at shero018@umn.edu. We’re excited to review your application and can’t wait for an unforgettable 2026 Morris Regional 4-H Camp!”

4-H'ers wanting to exhibit a market beef (beef steer, market heifer or dairy steer) born in 2025 and at finished weight at county fair need to identify their animals in mn.4honline.com by February 17. This is a set deadline by the state so plan accordingly. Watch for information coming in the mail soon to active members that selected beef as a project interest and are enrolled for the 2025-2026 program year.

Project Bowl is a long-standing program in Minnesota 4-H and is the second most attended event of the year. In Project Bowl, teams of 3-6 youth members build skills working and thinking together while testing their knowledge in these 4-H areas: dairy, dog, general livestock, horse, llama-alpaca, plant science, poultry and rabbit. This happens in a quiz bowl type setting with buzzers and two rounds of questions. There are teams for youth 3rd grade and up. Practice usually begins at the end of December or beginning of January.

In the previous year, we had teams in general livestock and dog. Douglas County 4-H has coaches and teams for dog, and general livestock. If you are interested, please contact the office ASAP at mnext-douglas@umn.edu!

When staff and volunteers plan, organize and put time into offering events for Douglas County 4-H'ers and families, registering for that event and paying for that event (if there is a cost) in a timely manner is so important for the following reasons:

• Purchasing supplies- staff need lead time to purchase and organize the supplies
• Recruit enough youth and adult volunteers-many times youth and adults need to rearrange their work schedule or plans to help us at various events.
• Dietary, abilities and health considerations-staff need time to plan for any youth who have special requests or dietary needs, and for youth who may need special accommodations. If we don’t know who is coming, we are not able to plan for those accommodations and needs.
• We typically have a minimum number of participants to hold the event, and many times we have a maximum number of participants due to space limitations or the content of the program. We realize that everyone is busy and making plans can be challenging, but please do the best you can to sign up ahead of time and secure your spot
• Events do fill up, so please don’t wait until the last minute. Sometimes we fill up and then need to close the event prior to the deadline.
• Payment can be made in our office or there is a drop box located on the south side of the courthouse for after hours. Please label the envelope with Extension and the name of the event before putting it in the drop box.

BLU is a youth-led workshop for youth grades 6 and up that strengthens leadership, communication and relationship skills. Become better leaders while having a great time!

• Gain leadership skills in communication and conflict resolution
• Dive into meaningful service projects focused on disaster relief and emergency response
• Build relationships with teens

This year's theme is "Bloom into Leadership." Participate in hands on activities, team-building experiences and help make a difference in your community. To learn more, including the cancellation policy, visit https://z.umn.edu/DC4HLeadership. To register, visit mn.4honline.com and find a BLU location you want to attend. The registration deadline is Friday, January 9. Please refer to event registration guide if new to event registration or contact the office for assistance.

Douglas County 4-H pays a scholarship covering half the $ 110 registration fee for overnight locations or $ 65 for one day option. If you pay with credit card online, you are reimbursed the scholarship amount after the event. You may also drop off a cash or check payment (payable to U of M) to Douglas County Extension office no later than January 9. Find us on the second floor of the Douglas County Courthouse.

You may attend one of five locations. January 31-February 1 in Palisade, February 7-8 in Zumbro Falls, February 7-8 in Bemidji, February 21-22 in Annandale or February 28 in Marshall. Transportation on your own. If you have questions, contact the Extension office at 320-762-3890.

Douglas County 4-H clubs/programs are eligible to apply for this service learning grant, this $250 grant is for service learning projects led by youth. Deadline for this application is February 15. Drop off at Extension office or email to Jodi Hintzen at hintz010@umn.edu or Jackie Kokett at jkokett@umn.edu . Completed and funded projects require an impact form and presentation at a future leaders council meeting.

The annual 4-H Rabbit Fun Show is set to take place Sunday, April 26 at the Brandon Auditorium in Brandon. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. and judging begins at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $ 3 per rabbit entered. Rabbits will be for sale and ribbons and medallions awarded. There will be a food stand, door prizes and silent auction. Be sure to mark your calendar for April, you don't want to miss out!

As we enter the end of 2025, there are still several of you who have not re-enrolled for the 2025-2026 4-H program year. Those who have not re-enrolled received a postcard indicating the need to re-enroll. After January 1, 2026, families that have not re-enrolled will no longer receive communication from the Douglas County Extension office including local offerings, deadlines (including animal ID'ing and tagging) and reminders. If you need help, reach out to the Extension office at mnext-douglas@umn.edu or 320-762-3890.

The Extension office will be closed for the holidays these dates:

• January 1 (New Year's Day)
• January 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• February 16 (Presidents Day)

It can be confusing as to what is available to do or learn about in the many different project areas that Minnesota 4-H offers, and how that might connect to creating an exhibit for the county fair to showcase what you learned. To discover more about a specific category check out the Douglas County 4-H project guide to learn more.

Jodi Hintzen, Extension Educator, hintz010@umn.edu

Jackie Kokett, Extension Educator, jkokett@umn.edu

Douglas County Extension

Email: mnext-douglas@umn.edu

Website: extension.umn.edu/douglas

Address: 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN 56308 (Courthouse, 2nd floor)

Phone: 320-762-3890

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNDouglasCounty4H/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/douglascounty_4h?igsh=am5vamExZTJpNXJj

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