Several Lancaster County specialty 4‑H clubs are looking for new 4‑H members. Current 4‑H members and those interested in joining 4‑H are invited to join these clubs.
4‑H TEEN COUNCIL LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION
Youth in 7th–12th grade, do you want to have so much fun making new friends, doing community service projects and other activities that you won’t realize you are learning important leadership skills? Join 4‑H Teen Council! Guest presenters provide fun, hands‑on activities and teens help determine community service projects, like creating hygiene kits for people in need. Meetings are held the second Sunday of each month, September through April, at 3 p.m. at the Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County conference rooms, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln. Upcoming meetings will be Oct. 13 and Nov. 10. For more information, or to join, contact Tracy Anderson at tracy.anderson@unl.edu or 402-441-7180.
WONDER CATS 4‑H CLUB
Learn more about cats! Meetings focus on cat behaviors and how to care for and train your cat. Open to all youth ages 8–18. Build camaraderie with other cat lovers. There will also be community service projects, demos, crafts and other fun activities. Meetings will be held the last Thursday of every month at 4:45–5:45 p.m. Location will rotate and will be held virtually every other month to enable members to participate from home with their cat. For more information, contact club leader Kari Schepers at 308-882-8262.
4 ON THE FLOOR DOG CLUB
The 4 On the Floor dog 4‑H club, for youth ages 9–18, will restart on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 at the Sandhills Global Event Center – 4‑H office located by the South Hall. Meetings will be held every other Monday at 6:15 p.m. and last about an hour. Summer schedule (after May) to be determined.
The 4‑H dog project is fun and fulfilling. Training a dog is a lifelong skill! Youth should be able to maintain general control of their dog, and their dog should not show aggressive behaviors before joining this club. A training collar (also known as a choke chain) will be required, as well as a 6‑foot leather leash. All dogs must have updated vaccination records, and a copy must be provided to the club leader. The club will focus on obedience through May with a formal graduation ceremony at that time. In the summer months, obedience will be reinforced and reviewed with the addition of showmanship to prepare 4‑H’ers for the Lancaster County Super Fair and, potentially, State Fair. For more information or to RSVP, contact club leader John Croghan at 402-957-3651 by Dec. 25.
PET PALS
Want to learn more about your pet? Or get acquainted with new ones? Join the Pet Pals 4‑H club for youth ages 8–18 and their small animals! Hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, snakes, turtles, other reptiles, amphibians, fish, caged birds or any animals small enough to put in your pocket are invited. Meetings and events to be arranged. For more information, contact Sheri Ramirez at skr0701@windstream.net.
RABBITS R US CLUB
If you like rabbits, hop to it! Rabbits R Us 4‑H club focuses on rabbits, as well as a variety of other projects. Open to all youth ages 8–18. Rabbits R Us 4‑H club usually meets monthly. For more information, contact club leader Sarah Lanik‑Frain at 402-570-9994.
UNIFIED SHOWING CLUB FOR YOUTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Unified Showing is a 4‑H club which empowers youth with disabilities through learning about and showing lambs with the aid of youth buddies. The club will practice once a week throughout the summer and exhibit lambs in a special class at the 4‑H Sheep Show during the Lancaster County Super Fair. Youth with disabilities ages 8–18 and youth without disabilities ages 14–18 are encouraged to apply. Lambs are provided and kept at a local farm. For more information, contact the Lancaster County Extension office at 402-441-7180.
LINCOLN SHOOTING STARS
Come check out shooting sports with the Lincoln Shooting Stars 4‑H Club. Beginners can start with the BB gun or archery project. As members progress, additional opportunities for participation include air rifle, air pistol, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloader and/or hunting skills. Club meetings are Wednesday evenings 5:30–7 p.m. at the Nebraska Game & Parks Outdoor Education Center, 4703 N. 44th St., Lincoln. Open to all youth ages 8–18. Parents are requested to attend meetings with youth. For more information, email lincolnshootingstars4h@gmail.com or call club leader Rachel Carlson 402-560-1843.
CLOVER KIDS CLUB
Youth ages 5–7 are invited to join the Lancaster County Clover Kids 4‑H club, which helps families learn the ropes of the 4‑H program. Clover Kids learn about a variety of 4‑H projects using hands‑on activities, as well as develop public speaking skills during a modified club meeting format. Clover Kids may also participate in various aspects of the Lancaster County Super Fair.
The club meets once a month, October through July, on Mondays, 6–7:15 p.m. at the Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County conference rooms, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Suite A, Lincoln. The 2024–25 kick‑off meeting will be on Oct. 21. Subsequent meeting dates are Nov. 25, Dec. 9, Jan. 20, Feb. 3, Mar. 3, April 7, May 5, June 23 and July 7.
At least one parent/grandparent must attend with their Clover Kid(s) and, once a year, take a turn planning and leading the group activity. For more information or to join, contact club leader Kristin Geisert at kristin.geisert@unl.edu or 402-441-7180.