Youth Development Blogs | Illinois Extension

Celebrating independence through 4-H youth development

July 21, 2026

The greatest gifts we can give youth in 4-H go beyond a champion banner, plaque, or even letterman jacket. Confidence in their own abilities is the real reward!As mentors, it's natural to want to step in and help. For project helpers, the desire is there for animals to look their best, projects to...

Finish this story

4-H Club Spotlight: Tazewell Country 4-H Club offers unique learning experiences

July 21, 2026

Extension Snapshots

4-H meetings are more than just a regular monthly meeting. Just ask the members of the Tazewell Country 4-H club. Located primarily in Hopedale, members of this club are engaged with their local community and build unique connections each year. The club continues a long-standing tradition of...

Finish this story

Peoria Afterschool Networking Group brings together community agencies to support local youth and families

June 16, 2026

Extension Snapshots

A strong network of youth-serving organizations can make a lasting difference for young people and families. In Peoria, the collaborative Peoria Afterschool Networking Group is doing just that by bringing together out-of-school-time agencies to connect, share ideas, and strengthen programming...

Finish this story

Kids standing around a table, each reading a piece of paper

4-H Livestock Day takes required certification to the next level of learning and engagement

March 24, 2025

Extension Snapshots

If you ask most working adults about their required, annual certification processes you may get an eye roll with their response. But if you ask local 4-H youth about their required, annual Youth for the Quality Care of Animals certification you will get an ear...

Finish this story

Elementary children posing together as a group

SNAP-Education youth cooking classes develop skills helpful beyond the kitchen

January 7, 2025

Extension Snapshots

Something special happens when people gather around the table to eat together. It is even more amazing when they gather around the table to learn to cook together. Local University of Illinois Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Education staff partner with after school programs to...

Finish this story

poster with words: wants needs strengths

Real Colors training provides insights into how to work together more effectively for both youth and adults

February 14, 2024

Extension Snapshots

Blue, green, gold, and orange represent more than just colors in the crayon box. In the Real Colors temperament program they signify distinct personality types that play a crucial role in understanding and appreciating individual differences in a person’s temperament. Locally, University of...

Finish this story

New 4-H Adventures in Nature challenged youth and adults to reap the benefits of spending more time outdoors

November 7, 2022

Extension Snapshots

It can be hard to pull yourself away from the computer or TV and get outside, but it is well worth it. University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development team in the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit created a new program...

Finish this story

New oak savannah planted at Sommer Farm in Peoria

May 24, 2022

Youth and adults from Peoria County worked together on a unique community service project that they and others will watch grow for many years and will benefit generations to come. Thanks to a 4-H Green Communities...

Finish this story

A senior citizen with a child in a garden

Local survey results demonstrate positive aspects of youth and adult relationships in 4-H

November 8, 2021

Take a moment and think about an adult who was influential in your life when you were young. What did they do that made a difference to you? Chances are, their actions constituted a developmental relationship,...

Finish this story

Lessons learned at Farm Safety Day left a lasting impression

July 8, 2021

Accidents can happen in a split second. It is never too young to start learning how to be situationally aware and safer. For the past 30 years, University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Farm Bureau have made...

Finish this story