YORKVILLE, Ill. – Explore the great outdoors or the world of watercolor painting with upcoming sessions offered by Kendall County 4-H. Programs begin mid-September and registration is open now.
“Through our short-term, special interest clubs – also called SPIN clubs – kids and teens can get a sense of a new topic that interests them or focus on gaining greater skills in an area they already are passionate about,” said Kim Eisnaugle, a 4-H program coordinator with University of Illinois Extension. “This fall, we have two exciting opportunities led by knowledgeable, experienced, screened volunteers.”
In response to interest from the summer watercolor painting workshop, Kendall County 4-H has a new SPIN Club focused just on this medium and designed for students in grades 6 to 12.
Participants will learn to layer watercolors and use Gouache paint, and each will create three or more projects to take home during the six-week program. This club will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays starting Sept. 16 to Nov. 18 at the Kendall County Extension office, 7775B IL Route 47, Yorkville.
Cost is $40 per participant, which includes a $20 materials fee for this session and the one-time, annual $20 4-H enrollment cost, which is good for all community and SPIN clubs for the 2021-22 4-H year. Registration is required, and space may be limited. Learn more or register at go.illinois.edu/Watercolors4Hdkk
During the fall session of this popular group, youth will visit local forested areas and explore hands-on with topics such as fishing, safe fire-building, outdoor cooking, using a compass and map, planning for outdoor adventures, tying knots, respecting nature, and even basic first aid.
The first session meets 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15 at Harris Forest Preserve, 10460 Route 71, Yorkville. The group will create a plan for weekly meetings through November, weather permitting. Cost is $45 per participant, which includes a $25 materials fee for the session and the one-time, annual $20 4-H enrollment cost, which is good for all community and SPIN clubs for the 2021-22 4-H year. Registration is required, and space may be limited. Learn more or register at go.illinois.edu/2021OutdoorAdventures4Hdkk
Youth do not need to be current 4-H members to join these special interest clubs this fall. Appropriate safety measures like face coverings, physical distancing, and hand cleaning will be followed for in-person programs. If you have any questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact 630-553-5823 or keisnaug@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.
About Extension: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.