DECATUR — Macon County 4-H members will join the 6 million youth across the country in celebrating National 4-H Week Oct. 6-12. The 2019 theme is Inspire Kids to Do, which highlights how 4-H encourages youth to take part in hands-on learning experiences in areas such as health, science, agriculture, civic engagement and more.

4-H got its start in rural America, but today’s 4-H members learn by doing from urban neighborhoods to farming communities. Every county in Illinois has a 4-H program which is operated through University of Illinois Extension. In Macon County, more than 700 youth and 500 volunteers are involved in 4-H. 4-H provides agriculture and STEAM education in Decatur Public Schools and surrounding school districts, nationally competitive robotics clubs and leadership opportunities for teenagers.

Community clubs led by screened adult volunteers are the backbone of 4-H programs. Youth learn leadership, teamwork, cooperation, decision-making and communication skills by participating in individual or group learning experiences related to more than 200 project topics that are then presented at the county-wide 4-H show with the chance to win ribbons and move on the Illinois State Fair.

Youth may also choose to join a club specifically related to one project area, said Jenna Ward, a Macon County 4-H program coordinator.

“Any adult can lead a 4-H club on almost any topic,” Ward said. “Robotics, photography, gardening, and food, are a few popular topics for special interest clubs, but the sky is the limit with 4-H clubs from yoga to dog training to online gaming. We even have a theatre club starting in October being hosted by Millikin University’s Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre.”

Why volunteer with 4-H? You don’t have to be a parent to lead a special interest 4-H club, only someone who wants to share your knowledge with the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs and problem solvers. Clubs only need to meet six times and Macon County Extension staff will help you recruit members, provide a meeting location as well as other resources. To get started or learn more about starting a special interest club, call Jenna Ward or Olivia Warren at (217) 877-6042.

4-H is the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization. In the United States, 110 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension in more than 3,000 local offices provide 4-H in every county and parish in the country.

Learn more about 4-H in Illinois at 4h.extension.illinois.edu or about Macon County 4-H on their Facebook page.

30-Second PSA ‒ What can 4-H do for your child? It can change their future. In 4-H, young people learn by doing. They experiment, innovate and think independently as they learn the skills needed to solve today’s problems. Youth learn leadership, citizenship and life skills as they choose from more than 100 4-H projects. From rocketry and robots to nutrition and nature, 4-H has something for everyone. Call (217) 877-6042 to begin your adventure with Macon County 4-H.

Contact

Jenna Ward
Program Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development
Macon Extension Office
3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd., Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 877-6042
jrward@illinois.edu