PEKIN, Ill. - 4-H meetings are more than just a regular monthly meeting. Just ask the members of the Tazewell Country 4-H club.
Located primarily in Hopedale, members of this club are engaged with their local community and build unique connections each year. The club continues a long-standing tradition of seeking out unique learning opportunities. Past experiences include cleaning up Hopedale Park following the 4th of July holiday festivities, running a Lemon Shake-Up stand at the Corn Daze Festival in Minier, and many more. This spring’s highlights include visiting with local nursing home residents and exploring the Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area.
In late April, the club members assembled 50 May Baskets to deliver to residents of the Hopedale Commons West Assisted Living. The baskets included a few sweet treats and flowers to celebrate the change of seasons. In addition to delivering their baskets, 4-H members and residents had the opportunity to play games, assemble puzzles, visit, and a few 4-H members even shared their musical talents with the residents.
Then, in June, club members had visited the Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area. They were guided on a 1.5-mile hike by Illinois Department of Natural Resources staff and came face to face with some animal species that call the Mackinaw River home.
The brains behind all of these amazing opportunities is 4-H volunteer and club leader, Mary Springer. Mary has been leading the Tazewell Country 4-H club for twelve years. When asked about her role as a volunteer and club leader Mary responded, “I find it rewarding to see the growth of these youth from where they start in 4-H to where they finish. It is an honor to see how 4-H gives youth opportunities for leadership and communication and to see how community and friendships are created.”
Club meetings are a great opportunity to build lasting connections that span generations and create memories for years to come. Within a 4-H club, youth have the opportunity to learn far more than just parliamentary procedure. A sense of belonging, confidence, work ethic, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills are some of the most beneficial developments that happen in clubs like Tazewell Country Club.
Photo caption - Members of the Tazewell Country 4-H Club learn valuable lessons in their club activities. One of the club’s favorite service outings is with Hopedale Commons Assisted living. Over the years, the members have served alongside residents in a variety of ways.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.