In 4-H, you get to decide what topics and projects interest you most. You make 4-H what you want it to be. Work on many projects or focus on one or two. Choose what events sound fun to you, and do them. In 4-H, you have an important role in making your community a better place to live, but you don’t have to do it alone. As a club, you’ll figure out what’s needed most in your neighborhood and find ways to help.
In 4-H, you’re part of a family working together. At club meetings, you’ll learn how to get along with others as you build your skills and help your community. In 4-H, you’ll meet adults who care about you and want to help you succeed. 4-H matches you with mentors who will coach you in areas like problem solving, communicating, and teamwork. 4-H introduces you to potential careers and then gives you the training to get the career you want.
The 4-H program is organized into clubs throughout the county, based on where members live or specific interests. SPIN (SPecial INterest) Clubs such as Shooting Sports and Robotics offer youth the opportunity to focus on a specific theme. Volunteer adult leaders help to lead the clubs and provide organization and adult supervision for the various club activities. They also help to advise the youth about educational opportunities, leadership, and citizenship development.
All youth ages 8 through 18 may enroll in a 4-H club. This age is determined by how old youth are on or before September 1 of the current year. Youth 5 through 7 years of age on or before September 1 of the current year may enroll in 4-H Cloverbud groups.
McLean County 4-H will again be waiving enrollment fees for the 2023-2024 4-H year! Enrollment will be on the same platform as last year, 4h.zsuite.org. If you already had an account, you will not need to create a new one this year. Below you can find resources to help you with the enrollment process.
Volunteers must be enrolled and approved in ZSuite before you are able to host club meetings. Please only add adult profiles on ZSuite for adults that are planning on being volunteers.
Click the accordion below to view the information about the McLean County General Projects Open Show.
In 2024, McLean County will be hosting a General Projects Open Show for individuals 18 years old and older that are not currently enrolled in 4-H. This show will run from Thursday, July 25 through Sunday, July 28, at the McLean County Fairgrounds.
To register, go to FairEntry.com, create an account, and add your exhibits under the "General Projects Open Show" department. Project areas include; Florals/Gardening, Fiber Arts, Photography, Art, and Crops. You can view a full list of exhibit classes, rules, and exhibit requirements at go.illinois.edu/McLeanGeneralOpenShow.
Rules:
Project books can be ordered on the Illinois Virtual Pop Up Shop on shop4-H.org. The Pop Up Shop is linked here!
Want to review the Spark Sheets instead? View them here!
What Project Books Do I Need?
The 4-H Project Book Selection Guide lists all of the 4-H projects that require a project book for completion, the project book name, and a link to access or purchase your needed project book.
View the 2024 McLean County Fair & 4-H Show Book
View the 2024 McLean County 4-H Show Schedule
Projects need to be entered in FairEntry by June 15
Families must create a new FairEntry account this year due to the switch to ZSuite. Instructions on how to create a new account can be found in the Family Login for FairEntry Document.
Need Help selecting your projects? Click here!
If you are interested in sponsoring awards at the McLean County 4-H Show, you can fill out the Sponsorship form here and return it to the McLean County Extension Office at 1615 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704.
Contact Myla Munro
Beef
Horse
Lamb and Goat
Swine
New Family Resources:
Click here to view timelines, application links, and responsibilities for leaders and youth for records and award applications!
McLean County Project Records: Due to the office after being reviewed by the club leader on September 13.
McLean County Livestock Records
Leader of the Year Nomination: Applications-due Oct 18
View our annual Recognition of Excellence tabloid, where we get to show appreciation to our members and volunteers for all of their hard work and dedication to McLean 4-H throughout the year!
Additional Member and Leader Resources:
Wisconsin 4-H has created a series of Cloverbud learning activities that can be used in a variety of settings, including 4-H club meetings, Cloverbud project meetings, day camps and afterschool programs!
You can access the Cloverbud Leader Resources and Activities here.
Each activity features a different 4-H project area and targets the development of age-appropriate life skills. While each of the activities could be used as stand-alone, they are grouped together for a year-long sequence of Cloverbud activities.
