Lake County 4-H

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.

Check out these 4-H Clubs in Lake County

 

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!
4-H Sugar Skull Workshop November 1
Come learn about Sugar Skulls and make some Marshmallow Sugar Skulls with our friends. We'll also learn how to make paper flowers for the upcoming holiday. If time allows, we'll make a sugar skull mask.

State Events, Workshops and Grants

Illinois 4-H Building Bricks Challenge Series
Channel your creativity and construction skills by competing in our statewide virtual Building Brick Challenge Series each fall! Each month, from October to December, we’ll offer a new build challenge!
National 4-H Week is Oct. 5-11
Celebrate 120+ years of preparing youth to be Beyond Ready for life and careers! Check out the many ways you can participate and celebrate 4-H!
Picture Yourself in State Leadership
The Illinois Youth Ambassador Teams represent Illinois 4-H at various state and national events. These teams provides an invaluable “youth voice” to our University of Illinois Extension State 4-H program. There are teams for every interest!

Livestock and Companion Animal Information

Lake County 4-H Illinois 2025 Dog Show
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
Chicks hatching from eggs
Lake County Embryology Project
This interactive project through the University of Illinois Extension 4-H program is designed to give your students the opportunity to hatch chicks in their own learning/classroom environment. More information for 2026 coming soon!

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!
Follow us on Instagram to get the latest news about what is going on in Lake County 4-H!
Fairs, Shows and Project Resources

Fair and Show Resources 

Lake County 4-H Fair Information
Illinois State Fair 4-H Information
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!  Deadline to apply is       October 1, 2025.  Apply today to receive recognition for all your hard work!
  • 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! Deadline to apply is November 1, 2025. 
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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.

 

Leader and Member Resources

Cloverbud Resources:

4-H Cloverbud Clubs are for younger children age 5 to 7. During club meetings, youth work as a group on projects perfect for their age. Cloverbud clubs can be independent clubs or they may meet at the same time as a 4-H multi-project club. Most Cloverbud activities are leader guided and do not use member books. Enrollment is easy. Simply select “Cloverbud” as your project. Contact your local Extension office to connect with a Cloverbud experience near you!

Club Meeting Resources:

Enrollment Resources:

  • Use the  Family Enrollment Guide to create a new 4-H Online Account.
  • To register for 4-H Clubs and Events, please create a profile and sign in through Z-Suite.
  • 4-H youth and 4-H leaders/ volunteers need to sign a Lifetime Risk Form to participate in 4-H and Extension activities.  This is signed once a  4-H career.  For 4-H youth under 18 ;  the 4-H'er and the parent must sign and print their names on the form. 

Additional Waivers and Releases:

 

End of Year Resources

End of Year Resources:

Books

Documents

Please upload your end of year documents to Z-Suite.  If you are unfamiliar with how to create a PDF with your phone, you can learn more here. 

Financial Resources 

The purpose for club record keeping is to ensure IRS compliance for 4-H clubs and funding limits are being observed. For those who are new to this process—or returning staff needing a refresher —the club annual fiscal cycle closes with the August statement and begins with the September statement typically received in October.