UW–Madison Extension Douglas County: Strengthening Families, Youth and Community
UW–Madison Division of Extension Douglas County is a true community asset — connecting youth, families and local organizations with high-quality educational opportunities that support personal growth and strengthen our region as a whole. Through programs in youth development, family well-being, aging and community engagement, Extension staff work every day to create positive, lasting impacts across the county.
Growing Leaders Through 4-H
and Youth Development
The Douglas County 4-H Program is part of Wisconsin’s statewide 4-H network, which engages thousands of young people each year in hands-on learning designed to build leadership, communication and life skills. Guided by the four core pillars — Head, Heart, Hands and Health — 4-H helps young people discover their interests while being supported by caring adult mentors.
In Wisconsin, more than 69,000 youth participate in Extension youth programs, supported by 8,500 trained volunteers. Locally, more than 200 Douglas County youth are involved in 4-H each year, with guidance from 20 dedicated volunteers. The program is led by 4-H Program Educator Katie Stenroos, herself a proud Douglas County 4-H alum.
“Growing up as a Douglas County 4-H member gave me the opportunity to learn new skills and make friends outside of school,” Stenroos shared. “One of the best parts of giving back is watching kids grow in confidence through the opportunities we provide.”
Douglas County is home to six community-based 4-H clubs, all open to youth in grades K–12. The newest club, Superior Clovers, meets monthly at the Superior Public Library. Stenroos also coordinates After School 4-H Clubs at Four Corners Elementary and Solon Springs School — free, welcoming options that allow new members to join anytime.
4-H members take part in a wide range of projects, from art and photography to woodworking, nutrition and livestock. Each summer, youth showcase their learning at the Head of the Lakes Fair, where they exhibit projects, receive feedback and celebrate their accomplishments with the community.
Summer learning also extends to the outdoors. Youth ages 8–11 can attend a traditional overnight 4-H summer camp, complete with nature exploration, outdoor skills and team-building activities. Older youth ages 12–19 can join 4-H Outpost Camp, a rustic adventure where campers sleep in treehouse cabins and prepare meals over a campfire — an experience designed to build independence and confidence.
Douglas County youth also participate in statewide and national experiences, including Summer Academy at UW–Madison, the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, and Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.
This year, a group of 23 Douglas County high school students attended Superior Days in Madison, where they met with state legislators and agencies to discuss issues important to northwest Wisconsin — an invaluable opportunity to learn about civic engagement and advocacy.
Tracy Henegar teaches a parenting class at a local elementary school.
Supporting Families Through
Parenting and Relationship Education
Extension’s Family and Relationships Educator, Tracy Henegar, provides a wide range of programs designed to strengthen families, support caregivers and promote healthy relationships across the lifespan.
Parenting Support
Parenting is rewarding — but also challenging. Extension offers accessible, research-based classes to help parents feel confident and supported. Many are offered virtually and at flexible times.
Key programs include:
Triple P: Positive Parenting Program for parents of young children, teens and children experiencing anxiety or adjusting to family transitions such as divorce.
Trauma-Informed Caregiving, a six-week virtual workshop helping caregivers understand and support children affected by trauma.
Resilient Co-Parenting and Raising Wisconsin’s Children classes.
Just in Time Parenting newsletters, tailored to a child’s age.
Circle of Security Parenting, which helps caregivers understand and respond to children’s emotional needs.
One recent participant reflected, “This is helping me have more conversations with my children about traumas we haven’t addressed. It’s given me tools to give my kids the space to do that.”
Self-paced online learning options are also available for families needing flexible scheduling.
Strengthening Couple Relationships
For couples in any stage of life, the Strong Couples Program offers online learning modules and coaching sessions to help partners strengthen communication, problem-solving and connection. The program is designed to support both relationship health and individual well-being.
Aging Well
Extension also provides resources that help older adults plan for the future and make the most of their later years. The in-person Aging Mastery Program and virtual Planning AHEAD series focus on health, finances, and preparing for end-of-life decisions.
As one participant shared, “Sometimes it’s good to get a little nudge in the right direction. This program emphasized that it’s never too early to plan ahead.”
Behavioral Health and Well-Being
Henegar also teaches programs that help individuals and communities recognize and respond to behavioral health concerns:
Mental Health First Aid empowers adults to identify signs of mental health or substance use challenges.
Teen Mental Health First Aid equips high schoolers with tools to support friends in need.
QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) teaches three simple steps that can help save a life during a suicidal crisis.
WeCOPE, a six-week series, builds personal resilience using strategies from positive psychology.
A recent WeCOPE participant commented, “Last year was tough for many reasons. WeCOPE was a lifeline in a rough sea.”
Learn More and Get Involved
The staff at UW–Madison Extension Douglas County invite community members to explore their programs, resources, and upcoming events. Whether you’re a parent, youth, caregiver, educator or simply interested in learning something new, Extension is here to help.
Visit douglas.extension.wisc.edu or call 715-395-1363 to get started.
Additional statewide resources include:
Ask a Gardening Question: hort.extension.wisc.edu/ask-a-gardening-question
Ask an Agriculture Question: extension.wisc.edu/agriculture/ask-an-agriculture-question
Wisconsin Answer Line for food safety and preservation: health.extension.wisc.edu/food-safety-and-preservation/answerline or 1-866-540-4636.
Ellen Chicka is Office/Media Associate; Tracy Henegar is Human Development/Relationships Educator; Mary Pardee is Area 1 Director; Katie Stenroos is 4-H and Youth Development Educator with UW Madison Extension Douglas County.
