Monthly Newsletter
May 2026
4-H Upcoming Dates
Friday, May 1
Cornhusker JR HI Doniphan Tournament
Saturday, May 2
Cornhusker JR HI Doniphan Tournament
Saturday, May 16
Sharpshooters fair trap shoot
Sunday, May 31
ATA registered Shoot at Sidney
Thursday, May 14
6:00pm- Sheep and Goat weigh-in at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds
Monday, June 1
Horse registration with Extension office is due
Summer workshop sign up due
Saturday, June 13
8:30- Dryland Toughies sheep and goat showmanship & fitting clinic
Monday, June 15
By 5:00pm- Member enrollment deadline
By 5:00pm- Ownership Affidavits due
By 5:00pm- YQCA certificates due
Monday, July 6
By 5:00pm- Fair entry forms due
Clover Kids
Join us for the final month of Clover Kids for 2026. In this month’s activity you’ll get to test your engineering skills against the Big Bad Wolf. Can your design stand strong against all the huffing and puffing? Let’s find out!
Where: Sidney Public Library
When: Friday, May 15, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Who: Youth ages 5-7 as of Jan 1
RSVP to the Extension Office by Wednesday, May 13!
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA)
Nebraska 4‑H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete quality assurance training through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) every year. YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program focused on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. YQCA training can be completed online or at in-person training events. Youth are free to choose the option that works best for them, and in-person training can be in any county.
**Every 4‑H member who exhibits Beef, Dairy Cattle, Goats, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, or Swine must complete Quality Assurance and provide a copy of your certificate to the Extension Office by June 15.
Holt County 4-H Invitational Shoot
2026 Progress Show
Holt County is hosting an Invitational Shoot:
When: SAT & SUN JUNE 6-7, 2026
Where: Holt County Fairgrounds, Chambers, Nebraska
Register online: https://forms.gle/WSmTQLNNFeX8tryG9
Registration deadline: June 1, 2026 (No day-of registrations)
Line assignments posted and emailed: June 3, 2026
Contact: Talya Shutt – talyashutt2023@gmail.com
GENERAL RULES
• Check-in begins at 7:00 AM; shooting starts at 8:00 AM. You need to check in at least 1 hour
before your first line.
• Entry fee: $10 per person, per discipline, paid the day of event.
• Awards presented after final round on Sunday.
• Plan for approx. 2 hours for Archery or Air Rifle.
• Shooters should have a coach and must bring their own firearm and ammunition.
• Firearms must be empty when checked in.
• Unsafe or unsportsmanlike behavior will result in disqualification.
• Must be an active 4-H Shooting Sports member under a certified leader.
• All requirements follow National 4-H Championship guidelines unless noted:
https://4h.unl.edu/2026-4-h-shooting-sports-national-championships-event-synopsis
4-H Small Animal Progress Show
2026 Progress Show
Phelps County 4-H Council invites all youth interested in rabbits, poultry, and pocket pets to join us for the Small Animal Progress Show on Saturday, June 6! Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the show starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Phelps County Fair Grounds, 1308 2nd Street, Holdrege NE.
Whether you are new to showing or want to practice before county fair, this is a fun, low-pressure way to build your skills. Prizes are available for 4-H aged youth. Clover Kids are welcome to exhibit. The Lone Star 4-H Club will have concessions for breakfast and lunch. Plus, a fun raffle available throughout the day!
Cheyenne County 4-H Summer Workshops
4-H Summer Workshops
🌟 Summer Fun with 4‑H! 🌟
Looking for an adventure-packed way to spend part of your summer? Our 4‑H Summer Workshops are bursting with hands‑on learning, creativity, and excitement! Youth ages 8–18 will travel the globe through interactive projects, from exploring world habitats to practicing survival skills (yes, even a zombie apocalypse scenario!)
Registration deadline is Monday, June 1 and the fee is $30. Contact the office at 308-254-4455 to register. There are only 14 spots available so don't wait! The workshop will take place at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds on June 8-11 from 1:30-4:30 PM.
Come learn, laugh, and build skills that last a lifetime!
4-H Horse Camp
4-H Horse Camp
For more information, you can contact Tessa Reece at tessa.reece@unl.edu or 308-432-3373
2026 Summer Camp
Youth are invited to join us and Big Gumdrop Outdoors as we explore the world around us through Exploring Ecosystems.
Campers will explore Nebraska’s natural world, discover how ecosystems connect, and learn how they can help care for the environment - all while having fun at camp!
The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is offering both day camps and overnight camp opportunities. Camp will return to Chadron for a 5 day overnight session (June 15-19) for youth ages 8–14. Day camps will be held in Grand Island (June 30) and Lincoln (July 22) for youth ages 8–12 providing a great introduction to the camp experience.
Registration is now OPEN! More information on sessions, dates, scholarships, and the link to register can be found at 4h.unl.edu/camp.
Silver Spurs 4-H Horse Show
Silver Spurs 4-H club is hosting a horse show. The fees are $8.00 per class per rider or $40.00 for all day. Entries begin at 7:30 AM MDT and the show will begin at 8 AM MDT. HIGH POINT awards given for each age group as the end of the day.
Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle Equitation, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail, Ranch Pleasure, Reining, Pole Bending and Barrel.
When: June 27,2027
Where: Chase County Fairgrounds Imperial, Nebraska
For more information: Tracy: 308-883-3925
Susan: 308-882-1463
Gene: 308-883-0143
Computer Science Summer Camp
The Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is now accepting applications for a summer learning opportunity for high school students.
During the two-week, overnight camp students will:
· Develop core programming skills and learn innovation concepts through a project-oriented curriculum
· Receive instruction from Raikes School faculty members and experience what classes can be like in the Raikes School
· Visit campus research labs and local employer partners
· Interact with Raikes School students and staff, all of whom play a key role in the competitive selection process to our program each year.
The camp will be held at the Kauffman Academic Residential Center, home of the Raikes School, in the heart of Nebraska's City Campus from July 19-August 1, 2026.
· The fee to participate is $3,000. Students attending a Nebraska high school will receive a $1,000 discount, lowering the cost to $2,000 for Nebraska high school students. The cost covers all housing, meals, instruction, and activities associated with the camp.
· Full and partial scholarships are available - students can apply for scholarships through the Summer Camp application.
Priority Application Deadline: April 1, 2026 - Students who submit their application by this priority date will be notified of admission & scholarship decisions by April 13, 2026.
Final Application Deadline: May 1, 2026 - Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after May 1 as space is available.
4-H Enrollment
Enrollment is open!
While youth may enroll in 4-H at any time during the year, they must be enrolled by no later than June 15 to participate in County and State Fair. Other projects, such as shooting sports or robotics, may require earlier enrollment to participate in practices or events. Please contact the Extension Office if you have questions or would like more information.
4-H Clubs
Cheyenne Robotics 4-H Club
Club Leader: Laura Narjes
Sidney Sharpshooters
Club Leaders: David Ball, Nathan Boyce, Craig Bruner, Jeffrey Ellwanger, Jeff Goble
Dryland Toughies
Sidney Wranglers
Extension Office
The Extension Office Staff are here to serve you!
Use our website as a valuable resource for information on Beef Systems, Community Environment, Rural Prosperity Nebraska, Crop and water systems, Food Nutrition and Health, and The Learning Child.
Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture.
The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Ashlyn Roelle
4-H Instructor
Sara Nelson
4-H Assistant
Denise Wieser
Office Manager
Telephone: 308-254-4455
Address: PO Box 356, 920 Jackson Street, Sidney, NE 69162
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