4-H members in Logan, Menard & Sangamon counties will join the 6 million youth across the country in celebrating National 4-H Week Oct. 4-10. 4-H youth development programs provide hands-on learning activities for youth in Illinois and throughout the country. 4-H youth programs focus on leadership, citizenship and life skills.

Every county in Illinois has a 4-H program which is operated through University of Illinois Extension. 4-H club membership is open to youth ages 8 to 18. Youth 5 to 7 years of age may join the 4-H Cloverbud program.

Youth may join 4-H clubs, coordinated by local screened adult volunteers. Each club decides how often it meets, the location of its meetings and the activities held during the meeting. Members may select from dozens of project areas to study while they build leadership, teamwork, cooperation, decision-making and communication skills. Clubs are currently accepting new members.

Illinois 4-H members prepare for their future by studying careers related to their 4-H project. “They choose from more than 100 projects to study,” said Carissa Davis, University of Illinois Extension Youth Development Educator. The topics range from rocketry, robotics, computer science, and public speaking to photography, animal science, nutrition, and more.

“4-H also instills a generous spirit in youth,” states Lisa Diaz, University of Illinois Extension assistant dean and state 4-H director. 4-H members are encouraged to help others in their communities through the hundreds of service projects conducted by Illinois 4-H clubs.

As part of this year’s 2020 National 4-H Week celebration 4-H members in Logan, Menard & Sangamon counties will be celebrating by participating in a service project collecting personal hygiene items.  Clubs are encouraged to collect items at their October meetings.  Items needed include full size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shower gel, toothpaste and toothbrushes which will be donated to local social service agencies.

To learn more about 4-H and enroll your child in a local club, one may contact Logan County 4-H at 217-732-8289, Menard County 4-H at 217-632-7491 and Sangamon County 4-H at 217-782-4617. To see additional ways Logan, Menard, and Sangamon 4-H are celebrating National 4-H Week visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LMS.4H