Educational Experiences & Key Award

Dodge County 4-H sponsors a variety of member educational experience scholarships available to 4-H youth in grade 6 or higher.  To be considered you MUST complete the M.E. (Member Evaluation) Forms. Fill out the category color that matches your HIGHEST CATEGORY trip choice. 

50% financial assistance is provided for these educational experiences by the Dodge County 4-H Leader’s Association and Beaver Dam Agri-Business. These groups would like to encourage youth to take advantage of these educational trip opportunities that are only possible through 4-H.

Questions? Call UW Extension Dodge County at 920-386-3790

IMPORTANT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DATES:

  • December 18, 2023 – SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE (Space Camp/American Spirit East/CWF)
  • January 4, 2023 – INTERVIEWS (Space Camp/American Spirit East/CWF Scholarship)
  • April 8, 2024 – SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE (Summer Academy, Nat. 4-H Conference, Nat. 4-H Congress, Key Award)
  • April 25, 2024 – INTERVIEWS (Summer Academy, Nat. 4-H Conference, Nat. 4-H Congress, Key Award)

Application Suggestions and Guidelines (PDF)

2024 Member Experience Opportunities:

Category I (Green)

Space Camp (6th-8th grade)
Registration: Nov. 15- Dec. 15, 2023        Cost: $1,000          Dates: April 18-22, 2024
Youth take a bus down to Huntsville, Alabama, for a 4 day journey. These campers get the opportunity to venture away from home to meet new friends, develop leadership and teamwork skills, and learn all about space. This experience is where youth learn and experience life as an astronaut, working at NASA, and exploring places beyond Earth! Wisconsin 4-H Space Camp Experience participates the Pathfinder Program. 
Summer Academy (7th-10th grade)
Registration: March 2024        Est. Cost: $450          Dates: Jun. 24-27, 2024
Join us on the UW Madison Campus for the new Summer Academy June 24-27, 2024. This Positive Youth Development program will help you discover pathways to your future. Learn what it takes to have a career, or a hobby in several SPARK areas including agriculture, STEM, service, leadership, arts, trades, and many more. There will be fun opportunities to build networks and friendships with peers from all over Wisconsin. 
Member Educational Experience Applications: Category I Green Application (Word) Category I Green Application (PDF)

Category II (Pink)

American Spirit East (8th-10th grade)
Registration: Oct. 1-Nov. 15, 2023          Est. Cost: $2,000          Dates: June 14-23 or June 21-30 or July 5-14, 2024
American Spirit East is the opportunity for youth to experience history and heritage through a 10-day bus trip to the East Coast! Participants will increase knowledge of American history while seeing where it occurred. Encounter dynamic exposure to diverse cultural experiences and perspectives about the foundation of our nation.
(CWF) Citizenship Washington Focus (10th-12th grade)
Registration: Dec. 1-31         Est. Cost: $2,000         Dates: Jun. 2024
CWF is the premier week long 4-H citizenship and leadership experience! It brings 4-H delegations from all over the country to stay in our Nation’s Capitol, Washington D.C.! Experiences include: Gettysburg, Mount Vernon, National Museum of African American History and Culture, meetings with Wisconsin State Senators, Capitol Hill, National Mall Tour, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and workshops with 4-H members from all across the U.S. 
Member Educational Experience Applications: Category II Pink Application (Word) Category II Pink Application (PDF)

Category III (Yellow)

National 4-H Congress (10th-12th grade)
Applications due: July  (exact date TBA )       Cost: ~$1,500           Date: Nov. 24-28, 2023
National 4-H Congress is a five-day Educational Experience held in Atlanta, GA. Congress is the premiere nationwide event for 4-Hers to network with others from around the country, Canada, and Puerto Rico. While at Congress, 4-Hers engage in leadership, citizenship, global awareness, and inclusion. 
National 4-H Conference (10th-12th grade)
Registration: Dec (exact date TBA)         Est. Cost: $2000         Date: Apr. 19-24, 2024
National 4-H Conference brings 4-H youth and adults from around the nation to work towards strengthening and expanding the 4-H at the local, state, and national levels. National 4-H Conference is the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s premier youth development opportunity to engaging youth. This opportunity requires an application and selection process through the State.
Member Educational Experience Applications: Category III Yellow Application (Word) Category III Yellow Application (PDF)

4-H Youth Key Award
(Category III – Yellow)

2023 WI 4-H Key Award ApplicationApplications Due: APRIL 8, 2024 Interviews: APRIL 25, 2024

The Wisconsin Key Award is one of the most prestigious honors awarded to 4-H members across Wisconsin. This is your opportunity to highlight what you have accomplished through 4-H. The Wisconsin 4-H Key Award Program recognizes a select group of 4-H participants who’ve demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied leadership skills, and actively participated in the functions of their 4-H club and community. Candidates must have passed their 14th birthday on January 1 and must have completed at least three years of 4-H and one year of youth leadership.   Selection is based on an evaluation of the candidate’s total 4-H record, which consists of membership, projects, activities, leadership, personal development and county 4-H and community involvement.  Each Key Award recipient receives a certificate, a Key Award pin and notable recognition.

Questions please call UW Extension Dodge County at 920-386-3790


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