NEWS RELEASE – PREPARED BY Toni Pienta

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION, Bureau-LaSalle-Marshall-Putnam Unit

LaSalle County 4-H welcomes new members

Have you heard of 4-H? Maybe you know a friend who is in a 4-H Club.  University of Illinois LaSalle County Extension invites you to participate in the many opportunities of 4-H. 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Illinois. 4-H is the largest out-of-school youth program and is located in many countries around the world. The 4-H Program is over 100 years old and provides youth, ages 5-19, with many different and fun opportunities to explore their interests, learn new skills, meet new friends, and to consider and plan for their career.

4-H isn't something you do alone. Once you sign up as a 4-H member, you'll choose a local 4-H Club to join. All the magic happens in a local 4-H Club. There are more than 1,600 clubs across Illinois, so there is one close to where you live.

What is a 4-H Club?

A club is a group of five or more 4-H members. Each club has adult volunteer leaders who help members in their 4-H journey. Members meet together as a club at least six times during the year. During club meetings, 4-H members learn new skills, such as speaking in public, working together as a team, and making decisions. Members help out in their communities. Members lead activities while they practice the skills they'll need in school and careers.

What are some of the things you'll do in a Club?

That's really up to you, the members! Members vote on the things they do as a 4-H club. You may choose to plant flowers at a local park, or visit your local police headquarters. You may choose to have a robotics demonstration or tour an historic museum. You may choose to build rockets and launch them. Many clubs also go on social outings with the friends in their clubs. There's no way to list all the things you can do in your 4-H club because there's no limit to your imagination.

We welcome all young people.

Any youth, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, or disability may enroll as a 4-H member. A youth who enrolls in a 4-H club must attend at least one meeting, tour, workshop or other activity of that club to be called a 4-H member. And, 4-H members must be enrolled in at least one project. A young person can be a member of multiple 4-H clubs within a county in Illinois. Youth are expected to join the 4-H program in the county where they live.

 To learn more, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/blmp4H

If you would like more information about this program, contact the University of Illinois Extension, La Salle County Office at 815-433-0707.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate please contact us at 815-433-0707.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

The Mission of University of Illinois Extension is to provide practical education you can trust to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. Visit our website at https://extension.illinois.edu/blmp