ST. CHARLES, Ill. – Each fall, Illinois 4-H kicks off a new year, and local 4-H programs host open house events to celebrate in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties.
4-H Youth Development programs focus on building leadership, citizenship, and life skills. In the coming weeks, join our University of Illinois Extension team and 4-H clubs from each community for hands-on activities and the opportunity to meet volunteers and staff.
“In 4-H, youth are brought together in clubs, led by caring adults, who welcome them as a part of the larger 4-H family,” said Leilah Siegel, 4-H Youth Development Educator with University of Illinois Extension. “We welcome interested families to check out what 4-H is all about and meet staff as well as volunteer leaders, who are the backbone of our program.”
Events in the tri-county area will be held at the three local fairgrounds:
- DuPage County: Sept. 30, 4 to 7 p.m., 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton.
- Kane County: October 4, 5 to 7 p.m., 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.
- Kendall County: October 7, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 10826 IL Route 71, Yorkville.
There is no need to register for these open houses. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact 630-584-6166 or uie-dkk@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs. For more information, fill out an interest survey at go.illinois.edu/info4Hdkk.
4-H programs provide opportunities for youth to feel a sense of belonging, develop independence, practice generosity, and experience mastery. Every county in Illinois has a 4-H program, which is part of University of Illinois Extension. 4-H club membership is open to youth aged 8 to 18, and the Cloverbud program is designed for ages 5 to 7. Through 4-H, youth can explore many areas of study, including animal sciences, creative arts, environmental sciences, health and nutrition, college and career readiness, global awareness, and STEM.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
About Extension: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.