Dear 4-H Leaders,

In response to the countywide survey conducted in the spring regarding the 4-H Open House, 4 -Leaf 4-H has been working with UW-Waukesha (Continuing Education), the Waukesha County 4-H Executive Board and the Promotions Committee to develop an exciting new promotional event, tentatively called, RE Discover 4-H.

Currently we are proposing a single-day event that will have three very important emphases:

Recruit: RE Discover 4-H will be a countywide exposition of the various programs available to 4-H participants, from Camps to Trips to Robotics. Promoted to all of the elementary schools, Middle Schools and High Schools, interested students will learn that 4-H isn’t just about farming, but about developing life-long skills and interests through agricultural and non-agricultural projects and experiences.

Retain: RE Discover 4-H will provide a venue for current 4-Hers to build projects for fair, try out new crafts and explore new activities such as Robotics.

Reveal: RE Discover 4-H will provide a venue for current 4-Hers to perform demonstrations, declamations and music prepared for 4-H Showcase. Current 4-Hers who have never tried these great activities can see how they are done, get entertained and have their questions answered. We are hoping that outdoor activities such as Dog Training and Bicycle Rodeo will also take pace. Current 4-Hers can relearn all of the great programs that Waukesha 4-H has available to them, new 4-Hers can get plugged in right from the beginning.

The event is being organized in Project Workshop Sessions, Hands-On Exhibits and Performances format. Project Workshop Sessions will be held on a variety of interests (potential categories could be rocketry, wood-burning, jewelry making, glass etching, etc.) requiring participants to pre-register and pay any necessary fees. The Hands-On Exhibits would be an open area where tables would be set up, allowing booths to showcase many of the facets of Waukesha County 4-H. Such booths might include 4-H clubs; projects such as quilting, model trains, horses and dancing; as well as development and outreach such as camps, Council of Teens and trips. The Performances would show off a few of 4-H’s talented groups and/or individuals from drama, music, dance, declamations and demonstrations. For more detailed information, please see the attached document.  In order to continue planning the event we need your feedback no later than Monday, June 22, regarding your level of involvement in this program.

Pending program approval, RE Discover 4-H is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2009. This date will allow for your club members to have time to get settled in their school and club, and hopefully bring some of their school friends to the event. We know how difficult it can be for you to look that far into the future. What we are looking for now is a level of interest so we can assess the support, facilities required and the amount of funding that will be necessary to make this program successful in re-invigorating 4-H in Waukesha County. We need your feedback no later than Monday, June 22, so we can solidify the plans for the event in time to promote it at the County Fair. 

**How can you let us know about your participation in RE Discover 4-H? It’s easy! Click on the following link to take a simple eight-question survey: RE Discover 4-H. This quick survey will serve to indicate with which part(s) of the program you will be getting involved.

Please respond to the survey today. June 22 is fast approaching. We all want RE Discover 4-H to be a success, so the 4-H program in Waukesha County can continue to develop the leaders of tomorrow.