State Horse Show
June 2-6, 2026
This is an opportunity for 4-H’ers to exhibit their horses and skills and receive input on their accomplishments. Classes are offered in five divisions: Stock Seat (Western), Ranch (Western), Hunt Seat (English), Saddle Seat/Gaited (English), Contest Events (Running). If you don’t have a horse, there are educational contests available as well!
Your horse must be owned or leased by March 1st
Intent to Show forms are due by March 10th
For more information go to the Georgia 4-H State Horse Show and Educational Contest webpage or email uge1191@uga.edu.
Judging Teams
4th – 12th Grades
Hippology Judging Team
The 4-H Hippology Contest is a comprehensive, skills-based competition in which participants demonstrate the extent of their knowledge and understanding of the equine science and husbandry. 4-H’ers with an interest in horses can learn about many aspects of horses and the industry such as nutrition, anatomy, breeds, tack, management, health and much more. Participating in 4-H judging teams offers many benefits. Competitors learn teamwork, self-confidence, effective communication skills and decision making.
The state contest will take place on June 2, 2026 at the Georgia National Fair Grounds.
The first practice will take place on March 18, 2026. They take place at the Madison County 4-H office on Wednesday afternoons.
Poultry Judging Team
Poultry Judging is a competition where youth learn standards used in poultry and egg production and marketing and apply those standards in realistic decision making situations. Participating in 4-H judging teams offers many benefits. Competitors learn teamwork, self-confidence, effective communication skills and decision making.
The area competition will be April 24, 2026 at the Oglethorpe County Extension Office.
All practices will be held at the Madison County 4-H office on Tuesday afternoons.
Wildlife Judging Team
Wildlife Judging is a 4-H contest that challenges youth in grades 4-12 to learn about Georgia wildlife species and habitat management practices for conservation success. Youth participating in the Georgia 4-H Wildlife Judging contest will be able to identify and describe characteristics of common wildlife species of Georgia and select best management practices for given scenarios and sites. Georgia is one of the most biologically rich states in the nation, ranking 2nd in amphibian species, 3rd in freshwater fish species, and 7th in reptile species.
The area competition will be April 17, 2026 at Wahsega 4-H Center.
All practices will be held at the Madison County 4-H office on Thursday afternoons.
For more information about judging teams, please email Ms. Michaela or Ms. Deborah. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!
District Project Achievement
6th-12th Grades
- WHEN: MARCH 6-8, 2026
- WHERE: ROCK EAGLE 4-H CENTER
- FOR: 6-12 GRADES
If you submitted a DPA Portfolio, please contact Ms. Michaela or Ms. Deborah ASAP to schedule a meeting to work on and or practice your presentation.
Senior Conference
9th-12th Grades
- WHEN: APRIL 11-12, 2026
- WHERE: ROCK EAGLE 4-h CENTER
- FOR: 9-12 GRADES
- COST: $90 – deadline to sign up is March 20th
Senior Conference is a Spring event at Rock Eagle 4-H center. The weekend focuses on opportunities for higher education and employment, including a college and career fair and future-focused workshops. This event also focuses on peer connection and features a 4-H “prom.” Senior Conference is supported by Collegiate 4-H chapters from around the state.
If you wish to serve as a Teen Leader at Senior Conference, contact Ms. Michaela.
Service Clovers
4th – 12th Grades
Service Clovers is a project opportunity for Madison County 4-H’ers to give back to the community around them! We will meet every 3rd Wednesday of the month (unless otherwise noted) directly after school until 5:00.
- March 11
- April 15
- May 20
Please email Ms. Michaela to sign up for the day(s) you plan to attend. This will help us be more prepared.
Help Out + Hang Out
Spring Break Fun Day
- WHEN: APRIL 7
- WHERE: 4-H OFFICE
- FOR: 4-12 GRADES
- COST: $20
If you haven’t already made plans for Spring Break, then make plans to come hang out with 4-H! We’ll use this day to have fun while helping out our community. The plan is to complete a few community service projects in the morning then have an afternoon filled with fun! Email Ms. Michaela, Ms. Deborah, or call the 4-H Office to get signed up! We only have 15 spots available!
Leadership in Action
7th-12th Grades
The Leadership in Action (LIA) program is open to Junior (7th-8th grade) and Senior (9th-12th grade) 4-H’ers. The program recognizes youth who have identified a community, agricultural, or environmental need and worked to address it. Applications should reflect a 4-H’er’s work over the past year, from January 1 of the prior year through March 1 of the current year (January 2025-March 2026).
Please email Ms. Michaela to receive the application and for more information. The deadline to apply is April 13, 2026.
Poster Contest
Broad River Soil & Water Conservation District for 3rd-5th graders!
Education is a critical element of the conservation effort at the local, state, and national levels. Educating young people about the benefits of conservation helps to ensure the next generation will be wise stewards of America’s natural resources.
If you’re interested in submitting a poster to have a chance at winning, please email Ms. Michaela. Prizes are: 1st place at $200, 2nd place at $100, and 3rd place at $50.
THEME: “Soil, Where it all Begins.”
DEADLINE: April 17, 2026
Summer Camps
Registration opens on February 2, 2026 for summer camps with a $100 deposit due at time of registration. We do have limited spots for each camp so sign up as soon as you can!
Over 8,000 children ages 9 and up, accompanied by over 1,000 adult and teen leaders, travel annually to Georgia’s unique 4-H centers for a week of camp that will be remembered and cherished for years to come. Each camp offers adventure, friendship, and fun, and all seek to develop the camper’s Head, Heart, Hands and Health to make him or her a better person.
4th-6th Grade Camp
Cloverleaf Camp
- Dates: June 22-26
- Location: Wahsega 4-H Center
- Cost: $405
Cloverleaf Camp provides 4-H youth experiences in understanding and navigating group dynamics, self-discover, relationship building, practicing healthy personal habits, and appreciation of the environment. Activities include outdoor adventures like archery, high ropes, tubing, and more hands-on activities.
Sign up online by filling out the Cloverleaf Camp Sign Up 2026 form. Your $100 deposit will confirm registration.
6th-8th Grade Camps
Wilderness Challenge Camp
- Dates: June 8-12
- Location: Wahsega 4-H Center
- Cost: $450
Activities include whitewater rafting (must be 12 years old by the date of the rafting trip) and lots of fun outdoor activities.
Marine Exploration Camp
- Dates: June 15-19
- Location: Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island
- Cost: $450
Activities include a Savannah River dinner cruise, shopping on River Street, and shark dissection.
Adventure Quest Camp
- Dates: July 6-10
- Location: Rock Eagle 4-H Center
- Cost: $450
Activities include a trip to the Georgia Aquarium, dinner and drone show at Stone Mountain Park, and a trip to Spivey Splash Water Park.
Sign up online by filling out the Middle School Camp Sign Up 2026 form. You can choose which camp you’d like, one or many. Your $100 deposit will confirm registration.
9th-12th Grade Camps
Senior EXTREME Camp
- Dates: June 1-5 or June 8-12
- Location: Rock Eagle Pioneer Camp
- Cost: $450
This is a more primitive camping experience where you’ll be outdoors learning how to cook by the fire.
Senior Camp at Camp Jekyll
- Dates: June 29-July 3
- Cost $450
Activities include a trip to Summer Waves Water Park, a trawl boat tour, and visit to St. Simons Island.
Senior Camp at Wahsega
- Dates: July 6-10
- Cost: $450
Activities include whitewater rafting and dinner and shopping in downtown Dahlonega.
Sign up online by filling out the High School Camp Sign Up 2026 form. You can choose which camp you’d like, one or many. Your $100 deposit will confirm registration.
Natural Resources Exploration Camp
- Dates: July 6-10
- Location: Rock Eagle 4-H Center
- Cost $450
This camp aims to expose youth to various topics related to natural resources through hands-on learning opportunities led by UGA CAES and Warnell faculty and staff. Youth interested in wildlife, fisheries, forestry, water, etc., are encouraged to apply.
This camp is by application only as there are only 30 spots. Please reach out to us at 706-795-2281 to obtain the application. Deadline to apply is April 13, 2026.
Please reach out to our office by phone (706-795-2281) or email (uge1191@uga.edu) if you are interested in or have questions about our programs and activities.
University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Institution. If you need reasonable accommodation or language access services, contact the Madison County Extension Office at 706-795-2281 or at uge1191@uga.edu at least three weeks prior to the program date.
