Summer Camp
Mark your calendars, folks. Rapides 4-H is going to Camp Grant Walker! May 24th-27th for Members in Grades 4-6
Camp Fee: $265 (covers lodging, meals, & activities). Full payment due: March 31st.
Bed Deposit: $75 (non-refundable) due by February 1st. Do not wait until the deadline. Camp spots will be full.
Additional Cost: Camp Store, T-shirts, & photos are extra.
Transportation: Parents will be responsible for transportation to and from Camp Grant Walker.
Reminders: Make sure your registration is completed on v2.4honline if you want a spot for camp. Membership dues are $10 for parish and state. Clubs may assess an additional fee for supplies. (varies by school).
7th-8th we have not forgotten you! LOST Camp at Grant Walker will be July 29th-Aug 1st.
8th-12th 4-H University June 22-25th @ LSU, Baton Rouge
Spark Action Summit
Spark Action Change Summit is a 3-day leadership experience for 7th-8th Grade 4-H members interested in:
- Civic Engagement
- Community Service
- Personal Growth
Dates: February 18-20, 2027
Location: LSU Campus, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Registration Fee: $125 per participant. Transportation to and from Baton Rouge is not included. Registration includes lodging, meals, educational experiences
Holiday Workshop
Holiday Workshop will take place on Tuesday, November 24th at the Evacuation Shelter on Hwy 71. Youth participating will engage in holiday themed activities, gift & snack making! Register by November 10th through v2.4honline, EVENTS. Fee: $20
On the day of the workshop, participants arrive at 9am. Pick up is at 12 noon.
Fundraising
Support a Louisiana Farmer and our 4-H program!
Orders due November 6th. Pickup on November 23rd is just in time for Thanksgiving. 12:00-4:30 at the 4H office.
Order online with QR Code, or Make checks payable to Rapides 4-H. (Online orders will add .50 per item to cover processing fees)
Jr. Leader Meeting
Jr. Leader Meeting,
November 9th, 5p 4-H office Grades 7-12 If you are
not registered for the Jr. Leader Project Club but would like to join, come to the meeting. Dues
are $10 Register for Jr. Leaders through the EVENTS tab in
4-H online.
Livestock
IMPORTANT DATES:
Rapides Parish Livestock Show is Monday-Tuesday, February 1st-2nd at the Dewitt Livestock Facility.
Central District Livestock Show is Wednesday-Saturday, February 3rd-6th at the Dewitt Livestock Facility. Registration information & Show Schedules will be shared soon.
Interested in showing livestock? New to the livestock project? Experienced and want to share your knowledge? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Central Region Showmanship Clinic is open to you. This is a free event to learn the basics of showing livestock. Lunch is provided.
For more information about the livestock project, contact the 4-H office.
YQCA is required for all exhibitors registering for the District or State Livestock Show. An in-person course will be offered at 1pm at the Show Clinic. Prior registration through YQCA-Youth for the Quality Care of Animals. The fee is $3 and should be paid online when registering w/YQCA
Validation Information
Validation opportunity for Market & Commercial Animals: November 3rd, 3-6p at the Dewitt barn. Validation Deadlines are non-negotiable. If you cannot attend, contact the 4-H office. Validation fee: $7
(only market and commercial animals).
State Livestock Show
2027 LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show Possession Dates
November 9, 2026: Beef, Sheep, Goat, Dairy Breeding, and Exhibition Poultry.
November 16, 2026: Miniature Cattle
December 1, 2026: Market Hogs and Swine Breeding
December 18, 2026: Exhibition Rabbits
**DNA envelopes are only required for market and commercial animals**
STEM Opportunities in 4-H
Invention Convention is open to youth in grades K-12. Projects can be worked on independently or with a club, camp, or school. The state contest date is Saturday, February 27, 2026. Details TBA. For more information go to the website.
LSUAgCenter.com/Invention Education
SeaPerch Challenge
SeaPerch Challenge is an underwater robotics project and competition for Middle & High School Students. Teams of 2-5 members design, build, & pilot an ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) through underwater challenges. The contest also consists of an interview & engineering design report. There are 2 opportunities to compete.
Friday, February 26th at Peabody Magnet High School, Alexandria LA or Saturday, March 13th in Baton Rouge. Winning teams will receive an invitation to the Internation SeaPerch Competition at the University of Maryland. 4-H Teams that receive an invitation will be awarded funds to attend.
4-H Robotics (Vex V5) 4-H University offers a Robotics Competition for members in Grades 8-12. Members interested in robotics should contact the 4-H office. 7th grade members are welcome to join the robotics club but will not be eligible to compete. Interested? Email your agent: [email protected] More information will be announced soon.
Esports
Who: 4-H Members, Grades 4-12
What: Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Rocket League, Just Dance
When: February 27, 2027
Where: Avoyelles 4-H Office, Mansura
How: Contact your agent to register. You must know your teammates’ names.
Cost: $5 per player & $5 per title: Junior Division (Grades 4-7)/Senior Division (Grades 8-12)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Team of 4)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Team of 3)
Rocket League (Team of 3)
Just Dance (team requirements TBA)
Connect With Us
Find us on Facebook at : Facebook.com/Rapides4H
Join Rapides Parish Remind to get updates via text, text: rapides4-h to 81010
Join Rapides Livestock Remind, text: 4hshowkids to 81010
Join Shooting Sports Remind, text: rapides4hs to 81010
