Lake County 4-H

What's it like in 4-H?

We are America’s largest Positive Youth Development organization – empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. and nearly 200,000 across Illinois with the skills to lead for a lifetime. We do this through clubs, camps, school enrichment, afterschool and special interest programs. 4-H uses research-informed practices that support positive youth development and help all youth thrive.

4-H is delivered by Cooperative Extension – a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. In the University of Illinois Extension 4-H program we have a network of 4-H staff, volunteers, alumni and partner organizations who serve youth in all 102 counties across the state.
4-H is a community – providing supportive relationships and opportunities for youth to serve and lead. 4-H youth have anchor experiences in their home community while also having opportunities to participate in state, national and international experiences. 4-H has grown globally and is now in over 70 countries around the world.

Local Events, Workshops, and SPIN Groups

4-H Afterschool Cooking Club October-May 2026

Learn basic cooking, food safety and health eating eating habits with hands on learning experiences. Register in ZSuite today!

Sheep Weigh in

Sheep Weigh-in for Market Lambs is May 5 from 3-7 p.m. - TUESDAY at the McHenry County Fairgrounds.

Aquatic Macro-Invertebrate Ponding

Join the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists for an exciting adventure into the world of aquatic macro-invertebrates. This hands-on program offers a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating creatures living in our local ponds.

Livestock and Companion Animal Information

4-H Illinois 2026 Dog Project

Information about the Illinois Dog Show, Dog Show Resources, Obedience and Showmanship Resources.

Lake County 4-H Livestock Information

Livestock Exhibition Information, YQCA & QEAC Certifications, and Lake County Showbook

2026 4-H Embryology: Lake & McHenry Counties

What’s more fascinating than watching a baby chick hatch from its egg? In just three weeks, a seemingly lifeless egg transforms into an active, living chick. Through the University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H program, your students can experience this incredible process firsthand by hatching chicks right in their classroom or learning environment. Register NOW!

Join 4-H and Follow us on Social Media

Invite your friends to Join 4-H

4-H empowers and prepares young people for success. The new 4-H year begins October 1. Sign up today!

Follow us on Instagram!

Fairs, Shows and Project Resources

Lake County 4-H Fair Information

2026 Lake County Fair Book- COMING MARCH 2026
2026 Lake County 4-H Fair Orientation Handbook

Illinois State Fair 4-H Information

2026 Illinois State Fair 4-H General Project Exhibit Guidelines : Mark your calendars for August 14-16, 2026- Lake County projects will be judged on August 15, 2026.

Daily Schedule at the Orr Building

8:00 – 9:00 AM Project Drop off at the Orr Building
9:00 – 3:30 PM Project Judging Interviews until 3:30 PM
3:30 PM Final Projects Release (and throughout the day through our app if they are available earlier)
4:30 PM All Projects Must Be Picked Up

Illinois State 4-H Competitions

State 4-H eSports Competition: Mark your calendars for May 3, 2026. Get ready to game, 4-H Illinois! Don’t miss your chance to participate in this high-energy, strategy-packed competition!
State 4-H Robotics Competition: Mark your calendars for May 2, 2026 . It’s one thing to program and build a robot; it’s another thing to do it as a team. This statewide event is an opportunity for youth enrolled in 4-H robotics to demonstrate their learning, celebrate their accomplishments, and interact with others who share an interest in robotics. Robotics clubs may compete as a team in the annual State 4-H Robotics Competition. The contest tests a club’s ability to work together creatively to solve a set of tasks.

Project Resources

Learn about all the different projects 4-H has to offer with the Illinois 4-H Project Selection Guide. Projects are organized into eight larger areas: animal sciences, career and leadership development, civic engagement, creative arts, environment, food systems, healthy living, and STEM.
If you can’t find the project you’re looking for, use this guide to help you pick your desired project in one of these eight sections.
Found a project that sounds interesting, but don't really know what it is? Get a better idea of what a project is about and find some quick hands-on activities to do at home using Illinois 4-H Spark Sheets.
Project learning is an important part of the 4-H Club experience. The Resource & Curriculum Guide for Illinois 4-H Projects will help you find the resource you need to support you on your journey.
Our 450+ Curriculum titles are perfect for 4-H club, school, enrichment, and homeschool settings. From project books to science experiments to skill-building activities, these learning resources are research-based, hands-on, and fun! Select the resource that best fits your individual or group setting and the appropriate level – whether it’s for grades K-12 or beyond.
Passport to the world Project Guide : By studying a specific country and carrying out activities related to that country, youth are able to experience some of the excitement and flavor of being there. Learn about the government, economics, and history while exploring the arts, food, and people that make different countries rich, unique cultures. When we learn about other countries and cultures, we also learn more about ourselves, and our club, community, country, and world!

State and County Awards

State Awards and Scholarships:

Illinois State 4-H Awards: 4-H Club recognition, Experience Award, Sustaining the Future, Electricity, and more! 2026 Deadline Coming Soon!
Illinois State 4-H Scholarships: Apply to receive $1,250 scholarship for your post high-school education. Categories include Animal Science, Civic Engagement, Performing Arts and Communication, Gardening, Leadership, and more! 2026 Deadline Coming Soon!

County Awards and Scholarships:

LCHCE Helen Johnson Volk Scholarship: Applications can be picked up at the Lake County Extension Office. One $500 Scholarship open for any current High School Senior that is a current Lake County 4-H member or has a parent or grandparent that is a current member of LCHCE. Deadline for application is March 15, 2026.