Local Events, Workshops, and SPIN Clubs
Do you have an interest in the McHenry County 4-H Program?
Learn more about the 4-H program in McHenry County, SPIN Clubs, and the County Fair!
How to Enroll in 4-H Online
ZSuite 4-H enrollment is open for the 2025-2026 4-H year!
Fair Entry
Don't forget to register your 4-H projects in Fair Entry!
Check Out Our Social Media
Stay connected by following our social media accountsLivestock and Companion Animal Information
McHenry County 4-H Livestock Information and Resources
Information and resources for livestock projects in McHenry County
McHenry County 4-H Horse Project
Information and resources for the McHenry County 4-H Horse Project
Livestock Issues & Health Requirements
State and Federal laws dictate the production and exhibition of livestock. Know what's required of you as an Illinois 4-H livestock producer and exhibitor.
McHenry County 4-H Embryology Project
This interactive project through the University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H program is designed to give your students the opportunity to hatch chicks in their own classroom/learning environment.Fairs, Shows, and Judging
4-H Fair Information and Resources:
Show Dates 2025
4-H Judging Dates:
Dates subject to change
June 7: Dog Fun Show
June14: Dog Show
July 8-9: Archery -Demonstration Judging
July 10: Air Rifle -Demonstration Judging
July 18 AM: General Project Judging - Sewing, Shopping, Interior Design, Photography, Computer Technologies, Robotics, Video, Individual & Group Cloverbud Projects - Bldg D
July 18 AM: General Project Judging - Visual Arts - 4-H Bldg
July 18 PM: General Project Judging - Animal/Vet Science, Cat & Small Pet show Civic Engagement & Service Learning, College & Career Readiness, Ready4Life, Communications, Consumer Education, Leadership, Child Development, Family Heritage, Health, Intercultural, Theatre arts - 4-H Bldg
July 19 AM: General Project Judging - ALL Natural Res. & Environment Projects, Shooting Sports displays, ALL Engineering & Technologies: Aerospace, Woodworking, Tractor, Small Engines, Bicycle, Electricity, Welding, Maker - 4-H Bldg
July 20: Rabbit Show
July 28 AM: General Project Judging - Food & Nutrition: Cooking, Food Science, Sports Nutrition; Horticulture & Floriculture; Crops, Plants & Soils; Exploratory, Collections, County projects: Lego, model, reading, sports, conservation/environment
July 28 : Livestock check-in begins
July 29-Aug 3 – McHenry County Fair
July 29: Goat, Poultry, Swine Carcass Class
July 30: Dairy, Sheep, Swine Showmanship
July 31: Beef, Beef Carcass, Swine
July 31: 4-H Night
Aug 1: Horse show
Aug 2: Livestock Auction
Aug 3: Master Showman Competition
State Fair County Date: Aug 8 - See IL state website for more information
For full Show Resource: Show Resources
We encourage our judges and 4-H participants to watch this helpful video about the 4-H judging experience. You can watch some judging examples online to learn more.
4-H Communications- Public Speaking Contest:
- Public Presentation Descriptions
- IL 4-H State contest information and scoresheets
- IL 4-H Horse Speaking Contest Information and scoresheets
International Night Information and Resources:
Awards and Scholarships
Illinois State 4-H Awards: Experience, Excel and more
Illinois State 4-H Scholarships
Henry Marlowe Memorial I Dare You Award
Computer Science Technology Scholarship Award Application
Sponsored by: The R J Gallagher Family Technology Scholarship Fund This award is based on: Excellence in computer skills, character and community service. This application must be submitted or postmarked to the McHenry County Extension office for submission by JUNE 30th. Must be 15-18 years of age by September 1st of the 4-H year.
2021-22 McHenry County 4-H Foundation Scholarship Application
McHenry County 4-H Youth Foundation is offering Scholarships to current 4-H members who have completed High School or are in their last eligible year of 4-H Membership. (4-H age 17 -18 as of September 1, 2020) These scholarships are made available because of a combination of funds to include those raised at the Annual String Tie Affair fundraiser dinner/auction. Awards are based on involvement, achievement, leadership, and the impact that 4-H has had on your life. Hardcopy scholarship form HERE
For More Information
Michele Aavang
What is 4-H?
The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility, and life skills of youth through experiential learning programs and a positive youth development approach.
Typically thought of as an agriculturally focused organization as a result of its history, 4-H today focuses on citizenship, healthy living, science, engineering, and technology programs.
The 4-H Philosophy
Positive Youth Development
(PYD) is an intentional, pro-social approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances youths' strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.
What is so great about 4-H?
The 4-H Youth Development program is unique in the essence that it is specifically designed and facilitated by youth with the oversight of dynamic volunteer-leaders. The 4-H program is the ONLY youth development program that is specifically tailored to meet the needs and interest of participating youth. 4-H is whatever our youth want and/or needs it to be.
There are several ways youth may participate in the 4-H program:
Community Clubs:
- For youth ages 8-18
- Meet year-round and offer a variety of learning & social activities
- Youth-led meetings
- Youth use Parliamentary Procedure
- Youth work with screened Volunteers to plan club activities and business meetings
- Members work on Individual Projects independently outside of club meetings
4-H SPIN Clubs
- Members explore a SPecial INterest area
- Volunteers and youth share their expertise in a topic through learning activities, assisting members in developing new skills, and sharing ideas & what they learn with each other
- Meet a minimum of 6 sessions
- Current McHenry County 4-H SPIN Clubs are… Ambassadors, Robotics, Tech Team, Shooting Sports, Woodworking, Dogs, Horses, Rabbits, Beekeeping, Knitting
Cloverbud program
- For younger children ages 5-7
- Members work on age-appropriate projects as a group and/or individually
- Members are encouraged to try new things
- Cloverbuds can be an independent group, or they may meet at the same time as a 4-H Club