4-H Youth Development
Why 4-H?
In 4-H, you learn by doing and you usually have a pretty great time while you're doing it! Want to know more about what your 4-H experience might look like?
- Create and build things. Whether you're inspired by robots and drones or photography and recipe cards, our programs give you the tools and the opportunities to create, imagine, and build.
- Travel and see the world around you. In 4-H, you can travel across the state and around the world if that's what you're in to. Dream big and discover the world through our programs.
- Explore careers that interest you. In 4-H, career exploration is more than just reading about possible jobs, it involves rolling up your sleeves and trying it on for size.
- Make new friends. From clubs to camps to field trips, in 4-H you'll meet new people and experience new social and cultural events. It's pretty easy to form lasting friendships when they're based on shared interests and experiences.
- Teach and inspire kids. 4-H helps prepare youth for roles as leaders in their classrooms, communities, and future careers. We'll help you develop the skills you need to work with youth in your community and help them launch their own 4-H journey.
- Help others. A core aspect of 4-H is learning to serve with and for those around us. 4-H clubs create opportunities for members to find meaningful ways to impact the people and neighborhoods they live in.
- Meet cool people and earn cool prizes. Who wouldn't love the chance to meet and learn from some of the best athletes, actors, scientists, and artists in their fields? Our network of professional contacts is deep and wide - you never know who might show up at a 4-H event!
4-H is a place where you can find where you belong. It's where you decide what matters to you and learn about things that interest you. And, it's the place where you serve in the community where you live.
4-H Quick Links

Volunteer Opportunities
We're going to need their ingenuity, compassion, determination, technical skills, leadership, problem-solving, organizational skills, determination, compassion, but today they need YOU!

Club Meeting Resources
4-H isn't something you do alone. Once you sign up as a 4-H member, you'll choose a local 4-H club to join. All the magic happens in a local 4-H Club. It's the glue that holds the 4-H family together. There are more than 1,600 clubs all across Illinois, so there is one close to where you live.

4-H Resource Library
Have a 4-H question? Visit the resource library to find information for members, clubs, volunteers and more!

Financial Support
The Illinois 4-H Foundation and its donors believe that more youth should have the benefit of a 4-H experience. We believe more youth of all backgrounds should have access to every learning pathway 4-H offers. We believe more youth, from farms and rural communities to cities and suburbs, should have experiences geared toward their community's culture. We believe 4-H volunteers should have more resources to use.

Enrollment Information
When you join 4-H, you are joining the largest out-of-school youth program in the country. There are 6 million kids just like you across the country in 4-H, and 200,000 of them live here in Illinois. 4-H is in every county in Illinois. Wherever you live 4-H is there. Depending on what your interests are, there’s a 4-H program where you belong and feel welcomed!
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Youth Development Signature Programs
Illinois produces the youth leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, stewards, and builders we need to solve world problems. Many programs can be tailored to meet the needs of youth in school classrooms, after-school programs, partner sites, military installations, community groups, and more. Contact your local Extension Office to find out what is available in your area.
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New Project Guide Available
4-H is the place you belong, lead, learn, and serve in the community where you live. Get ready for quizzes, info, and ideas ... everything teens and pre-teens need to know to help find their spark and explore their passion in 4-H!
Events and News

White County 4-Her selected as Healthy Living Ambassador
Three Illinois teens stand ready to take on new challenges as they begin their work on the 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador (HLA) team.

Local 4-Her participates in Legislative Connection
Illinois 4-H teens put their leadership skills to the test as they communicated the value and impact of Illinois 4-H with state legislators as a part of 4-H Legislative Connection on Feb.7 and 8.

2024 Livestock Quiz Bowl
Local 4-H members from southern Illinois recently competed at a Livestock Quiz Bowl. The event was filled with fun activities as youth identified various types of feed, species, equipment, and cuts of meat. This competition was a way to stimulate learning in various topics and prepare those that will go on to showcase livestock at the county fair.