4-H began in the early 1900's as Corn Clubs for boys and Canning Clubs for girls. Although the program has changed a lot through the years, it has always been a program designed to help children become productive members of their communities.
4-H is a national organization delivered by Cooperative Extension–a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. Youth complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and citizenship, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4-H in every county and parish in the country.
Nebraska 4-H prepares young people for successful futures. Educational programs place a strong emphasis on life skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, social skills, communication, responsibility, citizenship, and leadership.
2025 Custer County 4-H Council
District I: Kyla Olson and JD Keefe
District II: Holly Bumgarner and Luke Smith
District III: Jen Schmidt and Chad Coleman
District IV: Christy Berghorst and Matt Peterson
District V: Dan Longfellow and Sarah Bartak
District VI: Holly Remund and Peter Pelster
District VII: Kory Ostrand and Michelle Nelson
District VIII: Jake Rosentreader and Sally Harris
District IX: Lana Phelps and Jeff Witthuhn
Youth Candidates: Alex Berghorst and Mace Beran
Youth Candidates: Emma Larsen and Caleb Wiiest



4-H Month


BIg Red Camps June 8-13, 2025
Registration for Big Red Camps is now open! Please share the following message with your families, schools, and communities. We’re looking forward to another great year of Big Red Camps!
Registration for Big Red Camps is now open! Big Red Camps are residential career exploration camps for incoming 9th through 12th grade students which provide the opportunity to live on and explore the Nebraska campus, meet people from across the country, spend time investigating an interest or potential career, and have a lot of fun! Participants will work with our university faculty to explore the topic of their particular camp, like animation, fashion entrepreneurship, or engineering. After spending several fun-filled days on campus, participants' families are invited to attend a special capstone event where youth showcase their achievements.
Big Red Summer Academic Camps are open to youth going into grades 9-12 during the 2025-2026 school year. All housing and food are provided for participants throughout the camp. Space is limited, and camps will fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please see Big Red Camp Sessions for a list of camps offered this year, descriptions, participant limits, costs, and scholarship opportunities.

A summer job that makes a difference!
The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is hiring staff and program assistants for the 2025 season. Travel across the state as we bring everything that makes 4-H Camp great to Chadron and Burwell! State 4-H Camp staff will participate in a week of training to help develop the necessary skills for a successful summer. Staff will learn how to teach environmental education lessons, lead games and activities, and how to incorporate Positive Youth Development in their daily work at camp. Not to mention, this is all done in a fun summer camp environment leading and playing large group games, tubing the river, and spending time around the campfire.
Visit go.unl.edu/campjob to learn more about each position and to apply.