Adventures Await! Illinois 4-H Invites New Members to join the program

The nation is invited to celebrate the largest out of school youth program in the United States during National 4-H Week October 6 – 12. It’s a time to highlight the benefits that being part of the 4-H positive youth development program brings to participants and to invite new youth ages 8 to 18 to join in the fun and learning.

In Illinois, the 4-H program is part of the University of Illinois Extension service and is managed in each county by 4-H educators and staff who oversee the local 4-H  clubs. In the Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Stark Counties Extension unit (HMRS) there are 31 active community clubs which are led by adult volunteers. Each 4-H club meets at different times and locations, but the goal is the same: to help youth develop their citizenship, leadership and life skills. By providing hands-on learning opportunities, 4-H members get to practice and develop their skills. At the heart of the program are 4-H projects youth select to work on –whether it’s science, agriculture, cooking, visual arts, photography, computers, or any of the more than 200 different areas, 4-H members grow in their skills as they learn responsibility and teamwork by completing their projects. They get to showcase their projects during conference judging – usually at their county fair – for the chance to get ribbons, trophies, premiums and to advance to state and national competitions. Through these experiences 4-H members also hone their communications and presentation skills. 4-H gives youth the opportunity to develop their own personal interests - whether they’re inspired by robots or drones, photography or cooking, 4-H gives youth the tools and the opportunities to create, imagine, and build in a positive environment where they can make new friends and give back to their community through service projects.

The cost to join 4-H for the year is $20. New members can get more information by filling out a 4-H interest form

In addition to the community clubs listed below, 4-H offers outreach to schools, military 4-H afterschool and summer programs at the Rock Island Arsenal, special 4-H events like the Holiday Extravaganza in December, the 4-H Academy in February and the Ag Careers Camp in March. They also have several special interest clubs like Dog Obedience, Fishing, and Sewing clubs. Youth can also join the 4-H Shooting Sports programs in Archery, Air Rifle, Air Pistol and Shotgun for beginner to advanced. Equipment is provided and youth will learn safety, responsibility, get to build their target shooting skills and can compete in state and national shooting sports competitions.

Teens ages 13 and older can participate in 4-H service clubs which offer a variety of opportunities to build skills while giving back to their community. Clubs include: 4-H Citizen Scientists, 4-H Digital Ambassadors, 4-H Teen Federation, and 4-H Teen Teachers. The first meeting of these clubs will be held on Tuesday, October 22 at 7 pm at the Rock Island County 4-H office, 321 W 2nd Ave. Milan. Call (309) 756-9978 to sign up or through the Facebook event

More details about 4-H can be found on our website at our 4-H program page

Or contact your local 4-H office for more information.

  • Rock Island County 4-H, 321  W 2nd Ave. Milan, IL (309) 756-9978
  • Mercer County 4-H, 910 13th St. Viola, IL (309) 871-5032
  • Henry and Stark County 4-H, 358 Front Street, Galva, IL (309) 932-3447

Here are the community clubs offered in the Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Stark Counties Extension unit:

Henry County 4-H Clubs youth can join:

  • Annawan: All Stars, 3rd Sunday @ 6:30 pm
  • Atkinson: Boosters, 3rd Wednesday 5:45 pm
  • Cambridge Champs,  2nd Sunday @ 5 pm 
  • Cambridge: Rough Riders, 3rd Tuesday, call for time 
  • Colona: Red Rangers, 3rd Monday, 7 pm &  6:30 pm for Cloverbuds (5-8 years old)
  • Galva: Burns Boosters, 3rd Sunday, call for time 
  • Geneseo: Jr Leaders, 2nd Thursday @ 6:30 pm
  • Kewanee: King Pins, 2nd Sunday, 5 pm 
  • Orion: Western Jr Farmers, 3rd Tuesday @ 6:30 pm
  • Woodhull: Lynox Loyals - 1st Sunday@ 4 pm

Mercer County 4-H Community Clubs youth can join:

  • Aledo: Kimel Club, 2nd Sunday @ 5 pm
  • Aledo: Peppy Partners, 2nd Saturday @ 9:30 am
  • Alexis: All Stars,3rd Sunday @ 7 pm
  • Eliza: Joy-Eliza Ag, 2nd Sunday @ 4 pm
  • Hamlet: Handy Helpers, 2nd Sunday @ 5pm
  • Sherrard 4-H Club, last Saturday @ 10 am
  • Viola: Country Kids, Last Monday @ 7 pm
  • Viola: Saddle Teens, 2nd Thursday @ 6:30 pm

Rock Island County 4-H Community Clubs youth can join:

  • Buffalo Prairie: Kountry Kids, 3rd Sunday @ 6 pm
  • East Moline: 4-H in the City, 3rd Friday @ 5:30 pm
  • Edgington: Go-Getters, 2nd Sunday @ 6 pm
  • Illinois City: Prairie Ramblers, 3rd Sunday @ 6 pm
  • Milan: Hayburners, One Sunday each month @ 2 pm
  • Moline: Magical Muggles, 3rd Monday @ 6 pm
  • Orion: Rural Go Getters, 3rd Wednesday @ 7 pm
  • Orion: Rural True Blues, 3rd Sunday @ 1:30 pm
  • Port Byron: Buccaneers, One Sunday a month (varies)
  • Port Byron: Zuma Zippers, Meeting times/locations vary
  • Taylor Ridge: Rockridge Royals, 3rd Sunday @ 6 pm
  • Sherrard: Trail Blazers,  3rd Sunday @ 4 pm

Stark County 4-H Club

  • Wyoming – 2nd Sunday @ 3:30 pm
Keywords
4-H