PETERSBURG, Ill. – 4-H members in Illinois will join the 6 million youth across the country in celebrating National 4-H Week Oct. 6-12. Throughout this week, clubs around Illinois will highlight the remarkable achievements of 4-H youth and showcase the unique experiences that 4-H provides young people.
Kicking off the local celebration, the West Menarders 4-H Club made their mark on the community by chalking the sidewalks of Petersburg with colorful 4-H-themed artwork. The chalk drawings, displayed around the town square, symbolized the spirit of creativity, teamwork, and community pride fostered through the 4-H program.
“Chalking the sidewalks is a fun and visible way to celebrate National 4-H Week,” said Stacie Skelton, Menard County 4-H Program Coordinator. “It’s a chance for our members to not only express their excitement for 4-H but also showcase their involvement to the broader community.”
The activity highlighted the local youth's enthusiasm for 4-H and served as an open invitation for other families to learn about and join the program.
Illinois 4-H is the premier youth program for the University of Illinois Extension and the largest out-of-school youth organization in Illinois. Menard County 4-H programs challenge youth to “learn by doing” through fun, hands-on activities where kids can learn, practice, and demonstrate new skills while exploring their personal interests.
In 4-H, young people come together in community clubs, led by caring adults, where they are welcomed as part of the larger 4-H family.
4-H members explore topics that interest them through a wide variety of projects, ranging from cooking and robotics to environmental stewardship. They can pursue these passions through 4-H experiences, such as community clubs, special interest groups, workshops, and more.
“4-H enrollment is now open, and we’re excited to start another great year!” added Skelton.
Illinois 4-H members range in age from 8 to 18. Youth who are 5 to 7 years of age may join 4-H as a Cloverbud member. The cost to join 4-H for the year is $20. To learn more about the opportunities available to local youth through the 4-H program, visit extension.illinois.edu/lms/4-h-youth-development.
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.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.