Youth Development

Events

Wee Nats

April 4, 2026

County

Stephenson

Babysitting Workshop

April 6, 2026

County

Piatt

Oak Tree Savanna Planting

April 6, 2026

County

Montgomery

Birds of Prey

April 6, 2026

County

Lake

More Events

Blog Posts

2025 Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports State Competitions - Making the best better

October 1, 2025

By any measure, the recent series of 4-H Shooting Sports events attended by the best 4-H shooting sports competitors in the State of Illinois brought...

Fence with signs on it that say Don't give up and You Matter.

This September: Start a conversation. Be the difference.

September 22, 2025

Each September is national Suicide Prevention Month. In 2023, 12.8 people seriously thought about suicide and 1.5 million people attempted it. Over...

colored pencils, crayons and paper clips

Back to school tips for parents and students

September 9, 2025

The beginning of school means changes from the “free flowing” days of summer to regular daily routines. Here are some tips from West Virginia...

Indoor and outdoor activities for kids and families

August 7, 2025

Summers at home can often feel like a full-time job of having to find constant entertainment for the kiddos. The good news? You don’t need an...

More Blogs

News Releases

The five 4-H youth winners of the public speaking contest.

April 2, 2026

Local 4-H Youth Advance to State Public Speaking Contest
Galesburg, IL — The University of Illinois Extension is proud to announce that several outstanding 4‑H members from Knox and McDonough counties have advanced to the Illinois 4‑H State Public Speaking Contest, taking place April 25, 2026, at...

April 1, 2026

Nature Explorers Camp invites youth to explore, create, and thrive outdoors this summer
SYCAMORE, Ill.—Youth ages 7–11 are invited to spend their summer exploring forests, discovering wildlife, and building lifelong skills at Nature Explorers Camp, a hands-on day camp led by University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development professionals and Natural Resources Education Center...

April 1, 2026

Ag and Natural Resources Scholarship Available
Individuals who are or will be studying agriculture, natural resources, or related programs with an emphasis in conservation are encouraged to apply for the R. C. Miller Scholarship. The Stephenson County 4-H and Extension Foundation is seeking individuals interested in applying for the...

Two women standing at a lectern with the presentation slide that says, "Welcome to the Real World".

March 31, 2026

Galesburg Area Eighth Graders Explore Careers and Real World Skills at Sandburg Event
Galesburg, IL — On March 27, 2026, nearly 350 eighth‑grade students from Knox and Warren counties participated in the Welcome to the Real World and Career Exploration event held at Carl Sandburg College’s Galesburg campus. University of Illinois...

More News

Videos

We are 'Beyond Ready' this 4-H week

4-H members are 'Beyond Ready' for life today

Illinois 4-H empowers youth to be 'Beyond Ready' for life today. Through hands-on learning, leadership opportunities, and real-world experiences, 4-H members sit in the driver's seat to find their spark and explore their interests. Whether it...

School and Community Gardens Learning Module

Bring the garden into the schoolyard with our online School and Community Gardens Self-Paced Learning Modules. A school garden can be many things, from a pollinator garden, to a sensory garden, or a bulb garden. Our online learning modules focus on vegetable gardening while we take you on a...