Did you know the University of Illinois Extension 4-H program reaches nearly 100,000 youth between the ages of 5-18? 4-H empowers young people and creates a pathway of experiences for youth to explore topics that spark their interest whether that be in agriculture, STEM, community service, or...
Imagine celebrating the moments of a fun summer celebration - without your smartphone. Now, I am not suggesting you miss the great photo ops - by all means, take time to capture the memories to share later. The challenge arises when we disengage from the present moment to update our social media...
Summer days are filled with fun outdoor activities that include biking! I remember riding my bicycle to visit friends, go to softball practice, and head to the local swimming pool. My bike was not only transportation for me – it made me happy.
Physical activity, like bike riding, is...
You may ask what is the 4-H Teen Teacher program?
The University of Illinois Extension offers a 4-H Teen Teachers program for High School youth across Illinois. In this program, 4-H Teen Teachers develop leadership and teaching skills as they train, plan, and implement hands-on learning...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Did you know that 7 in 10 teens struggle with feelings of overwhelm, stress, anxiety, and depression? One way to help manage these difficult emotions is to practice self-care. Self-care is simply taking time to do something every day to help you relax, manage...
4-H Clubs looking for a service project during the Month of April might want to explore doing something for the military families living in their communities. 4-H clubs looking for a service project this spring should explore ways to support military local families during April which is the Month...
Spring breaks have come to a close and summer breaks are on the horizon. While undeniably a time for fun and relaxation, spring break can also bring challenges to people struggling with food insecurity. The absence of school lunches, coupled with the impossible task for some parents of taking time...
“I’ve got 23 members going today,” was the text message I woke up to just the other day. It was from one of my volunteer livestock judging coaches and he was referring to the first livestock judging contest of the season for our 4-H members. That contest fell on a Friday, a Friday when school was...
As the holiday season comes to a close, it is important to remember the ongoing needs of people struggling with Food Insecurity. Cold weather is a growing strain on families, making it even harder than normal to keep everyone fed.
In the spirit of continued giving, consider donating to local...
The New Year is frequently a time when adults do some personal goal setting through resolutions of all sorts. This time of year also presents a great opportunity to teach kids this important skill. Setting and working towards goals helps kids to develop self-control, persistence and responsibility...
