JR ROBOT CAMP
July 17-18, 2025
9:30- 11:30AM
Dakota County extension Office
$20 per child
Jr Robot Camp - Attention students going into 1str, 2nd, and 3rd grades! Are you up for something new and exciting to do the summer with Legos? How about learning about WeDo 2.0 Lego kits? You will learn to build simple machines and program them.
Register for the camp by July 14th, 2025
ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAMP
Across the region, kids are starting up their own business's and making money from home. Experience making and selling a product while learning what it takes to develop your own ideas for a business. This will be an exciting five day camp experience. Youth will be selling their products during Chamber Coffee at the Dakota~Thurston County Fair on August 1st, 2025.
July 21st - 25th, 2025
1:00PM-4:00PM
Dakota County Extension Office
3rd grade to 8th grade
$40 per child
Flyer
Young Professionals Leadership Camp
At our Fall Regional Connections, we heard a strong desire for leadership development training tailored to high school and college-age afterschool staff. In response, Beyond School Bells is excited to host the Young Professionals Leadership Camp—a dynamic and immersive experience designed to inspire the next generation of leaders.
Young Professionals Leadership Camp will take place August 6-8, 2025 at Camp Comeca, near Cozad, Nebraska.
This unique event offers a true camp experience, complete with bunk-style lodging, lake swimming, and marshmallow roasting around the campfire.
As a team-building opportunity, attendees (high school and college-age staff) should be accompanied by an adult in a leadership role, such as a site coordinator or program director. This ensures that program leaders and their teams grow together through this hands-on, impactful training.
For details on lodging, cost, transportation, and registration, check out our website at https://beyondschoolbells.org/resources/young-professionals-leadership-camp.html. A flyer and schedules (whole camp schedule and detailed Thursday schedule) are attached to this email. Registration closes Tuesday July 15.
4-H Workshops
Communication & Expressive Arts
If your interest area is public speaking, relationships, understanding other cultures, photography or visual arts, workshops with this subject matter will interest you.
Consumer & Family Science
Environmental Education & Earth Sciences
You love the outdoors and want to take care of the planet, trees or bugs are your thing. What about shooting sports?
Healthy Living
You love to cook, want to learn more about preserving food or just improve your lifestyle and your safety.
Leadership, Citizenship & Personal Development
Do you have what it takes to be a good citizen? What about your leadership skills or becoming an entrepreneur?
NDA OPENS APPLICATION PROCESS FOR 2025 NEBRASKA AG YOUTH INSTITUTE
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has opened the application process for high school juniors and seniors interested in attending the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI). NAYI is one of Nebraska’s biggest agriculture youth outreach events. The five-day program brings together students to network with ag leaders, learn more about the industry, and discover careers available in agriculture. NDA helps sponsor and coordinate NAYI every year. This year’s theme is “Agriculture: It's in our Genes.”
Plant Science
You have a green thumb or want to, you love your veggies and flowers! How about field crops, or grasslands?
GRO Big Red Virtual Learning Series, hosted by Nebraska Extension HLES Team. https://hles.unl.edu/lawn-garden/gro-big-red/
Innovative Youth Corn Challenge for 4-H and FFA Members - We are delighted to announce the Innovative Youth Corn Challenge, a prestigious contest open to 4-H members (aged 8 and older as of January 1st) and FFA members (in-school members). This competition is designed to guide participants through a comprehensive exploration of all facets of corn production, including aspects related to agricultural careers associated with corn production.
For detailed guidelines and participation information, please refer to the https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge webpage or contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.
Science, Engineering & Technology
You geek out over, science. You love rockets, computers, electricity, GPS, robotics, welding or woodworking
Young Nebraska Scientists Camps - Young Nebraska Scientists, conducted by Nebraska EPSCoR with funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, offers camps for middle and high school students throughout the state. The program focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math topics and is a great way for teens to sample a career or campus, meet friends and mentors, and find their future.
Camp fees include meals and lodging, except day camps. National Science Foundation funding helps keep camp fees low, plus need-based scholarships are readily available. Faculty from Nebraska colleges and universities are camp session leaders, and camp staff include university students. Learn more and apply now online. Email yns@nebraska.edu with any questions.
More details at: https://yns.nebraska.edu/camps
Raikes School 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. As someone connected to young people in Nebraska and beyond, we wanted to share this opportunity with you to pass on to any student you think may be interested.
The Raikes School is hosting its ninth year of “Innovate: The Raikes School Way,” led by Executive Director of the Raikes School, Dr. Steve Cooper. The summer camp was highlighted by Forbes in 2019 and continues to provide high-quality computer science education to interested students! Interested students can find more details and complete the application at https://raikes.unl.edu/summer-camp.
If you have any questions about the camp, contact Theresa Arneal at tluensmann2@unl.edu.
More details at: https://raikes.unl.edu/summer-camp
State 4-H Camps
The 2025 What’s the Buzz? season of the Nebraska State 4-H Camp will share the importance of pollinators in Nebraska- why they’re important, how they impact agriculture, and what youth can do in their own communities to support the various native pollinators we have in Nebraska. From bees and butterflies to hummingbirds and bats- it’s going to be a week full of learning and fun!
The Nebraska State 4-H Camp is returning to Chadron and Burwell for summer camp 2025! Youth new to camping can attend a shorter camp session designed to let them experience all the best parts of summer camp in a 3 day/2 night session. Choose from one of two 5 day/4 night sessions for youth 10-14 years old and returning this year is the Leaders in Training camp for high school youth 15-17 years old! Campers will focus on developing leadership skills with an opportunity to put those skills into practice by volunteering at one of our other camp sessions!
Registration is now OPEN! More information on sessions, dates, and the link to register can be found at 4h.unl.edu/camp
Small & Large Animal Workshops & Clinics
5/28 - Animal Science Discovery Days - NCTA, Curtis, NE - Register at https://cvent.me/5YwX7d
5/29 - Dawes Roundup - Livestock Judging Contest - Dawes County Fairgrounds - Chadron, NE
5/29 - South Central Livestock Judging - Webster County Fairgrounds - Bladen, NE
6/2 - Poultry Showmanship Clinic - Wayne County Fairgrounds, Kaden Schmale Arena - Wayne, NE
6/4-6/6 - Winners Unlimited UNL Livestock Judging Camp - Lincoln, NE - REGISTRATION DEADLINE 5-18-25
6/7 Small Animal Progress Show - Phelps County Fairgrounds - Holdrege, NE
6/10 - Platte County 4-HLivestock Judging, Clinic & Contest - Ag Park - Columbus, NE
6/13 - Nebraska Livestock Judging Classic (NLJC) - Buffalo County Fairgrounds, Kearney, NE
6/14 - Platte County 4-H Showmanship Clinic - Ag Park - Columbus, NE
6/14 - Panhandle Dog Show - Puppy Lover's 4-H Club - Mitchell, NE
6/14 - 4-H Beef Progress Show - Keith County Fairgrounds - Ogallala, NE
6/14 - Best in the West Show - Lincoln County Fairgrounds - North Platte
6/21 - Just Kidding Around 4-H Dairy Goat Showmanship Clinic - Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds - Mitchell, NE
6/21 - Arlington Progress Show - Washington County Fairgrounds - Arlington, NE
6/21 - 39th Annual Papio Valley Livestock Show - Sarpy County Fairgrounds - Springfield, NE
6/21-6/22 - Adams County Progress Show - Adams County Fairgrounds- Hastings, NE
7/25 - 2025 Sioux County 4-H Open Youth Livestock Show - Sioux County Fairgrounds - Harrison, NE
Livestock Information Series
The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Information Series is a resource for 4-H members, leaders, and parents to gain knowledge in various livestock-related topic areas. Each session, a new topic is covered with experts joining to share their experience and expertise. Extended learning opportunities and supporting documents are also available for each topic.
Livestock Achievement Program
The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects, including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition, by recognizing youth striving to improve their livestock project knowledge and leadership.
Camps and workshop are added as information is provided, check back regularly.
Horse Camps and Clinics
Need to complete your level testing? Try you skills with other riders? Camp and clinics are added as information is provided. Check back regularly.
Equine Camps & Workshops
SUPPORT THE NEBRASKA STATE 4-H EXPO
As you know, the State 4-H Horse Expo would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors who believe in the power of youth and the future of the horse program. To assist with sponsorship efforts, view the tri-fold flyer that can be used to help solicit funds and increase awareness of the program. Flyer
ONLINE EQUINE COURSES
Hippology Academy
Hippology Academy is back for 2025 with new topics including: first aid and vital signs, pre-purchase exams, viral diseases, equine behavior, metabolic issues, and forage selection. Each topic includes practice tests, slides and digital learning stations in addition to twice weekly lectures. Lessons begin February 9th. The link to register is included below.
Horse Judging Camp
Want to sharpen your horse judging skills? Horse Judging Camp is a great place to learn more about judging and also practice your skills! This online horse judging camp will include at-home assignments, oral reasons critique, 4 interactive virtual meetings (they will be recorded), quizzes and a certificate of completion. Experts from 3 universities will be online each session to discuss classes and interact with you. Topics this year include: Performance Halter, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, and Non-Stock Type Horses. Online sessions will occur from 6:00-7:30 pm CST on February 20 and 27 and March 6 and 13. The link to register is included below.
HALTER
A four part series for adult volunteers working with youth in the horse industry or anyone interested in learning more about horses! Content includes basic safety and handling of horses, basic in horse behavior, safely working with youth and horses, basic care of horses, and so much more! Learn more at the link below!
https://campus.extension.org/course/search.php?areaids=core_course-course&q=halter