PAWNEE, Ill. – A new Cloverbud 4-H club, open to youth ages 5 to 7 (as of September 1, 2023), is starting in Pawnee. A kickoff meeting for interested families will be held Saturday, April 27, 10-11 AM, at the Pawnee Public Library.
Cloverbud 4-H clubs focus on having fun and making friends while learning new things through hands-on group activities on topics including nature, art, STEM, healthy living and more. Clubs are led by caring adults who have been screened through University of Illinois Extension and receive resources and training from local 4-H staff.
”4-H’s ‘learn by doing’ philosophy encourages youth to experiment, innovate and think independently,” said Carissa Davis, Illinois Extension Youth Development Educator in Sangamon County. “Through Cloverbud clubs, youth can explore new things through fun activities that are designed specifically for their age group.”
The new Pawnee Cloverbud 4-H club will meet once a month on the fourth Saturday at the Pawnee Public Library. The cost to join 4-H is $20 per member per year. For more information, families can email club leader Tasha Kuchar at pawnee4hclub@gmail.com or call the Sangamon Extension Office at 217-782-4617.
For many families, Cloverbuds is an introduction to the traditional 4-H club experience, which serves youth ages 8-18. Information about local 4-H clubs for older members can be found at https://extension.illinois.edu/lms/find-club.
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.
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. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.