For over 100 years, the 4-H Youth Development program has helped young people gain leadership skills and provided hands-on education. These days, teenagers can play a vital role in extending these efforts as 4-H Teen Teachers.

4-H is currently recruiting high school-aged students in Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell Counties to join the adventure to develop leadership skills, meet new friends, build confidence, and make a difference in the world! 4-H Teen Teachers will lead fun, hands-on activities for younger youth while gaining professional experience. Plus, it counts as community service hours and looks great on applications and resumés! Interactive, virtual training will take place on Zoom at the following times:

• Tuesday, March 9, 4-5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 16, 4-5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 20, 3-5 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 23, 4-5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 30, 4-5:30 p.m.

After completing the training, Teen Teachers have many opportunities to teach others about nutrition, STEM, the environment, and more! These activities will occur both virtually and in-person. The times and locations of these sessions will vary, and teens can select those they are able to attend.

Interested teens can learn more at extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/teens-teachers-program or complete an online application at go.illinois.edu/TeenTeach.

Youth-serving organizations interested in having 4-H Teen Teachers facilitate activities at their site can contact Emily Schoenfelder, 4-H Youth Development educator, at eschoe@illinois.edu. For more information about 4-H, in addition to other youth and adult programs offered through University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit, visit our website at extension.illinois.edu/fmpt.

About University of Illinois Extension: University of Illinois Extension is the flagship outreach effort of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, offering educational programs to residents of all of Illinois' 102 counties — and far beyond. Extension provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. U of I Extension offers educational programs in five broad areas: energy and environmental stewardship, food safety and security, economic development and workforce preparedness, family health, financial security, and wellness, and youth development.

About 4-H: Illinois 4-H strives to help youth learn skills for living. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois. Illinois 4-H aims to impact the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning clubs and groups and short-term programming.

Source: Emily Schoenfelder – 4-H Youth Development Educator, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit