Ellen Boomsma, Marcie Harris & Kathryn Graf at 4-H Legislative Connection.

When you see or hear 4-H, what mental picture do you have? 4-H challenges you to open your mind to think of the contemporary image of 4-H.

4-H today is career exploration, international travel, and citizenship. Youth ages 8 – 18 engage in projects in aerospace, electricity, meteorology, world culture, communications and much more. Citizenship is a very important part of 4-H and is highlighted in the 4-H Pledge through the words: "Hands to greater service" and "Health to better living for my club, my community, my country and my world".

Legislative Connection held March 27, 2007, demonstrated how 4-H connects young people to our state government. This year, State Fair Superior Award winners Ellen Boomsma, Kathryn Graf, Drew Hannay, Noelle Hannay, Thomas Pitkin and Legislative Ambassador Marcie Harris traveled to Springfield to learn more about our state government and met with our State Senators Deb Halvorsen and Gary Dahl as well as Representatives Careen Gordon and Lisa Dugan. The youth shared the highlights of their 4-H experiences and how important 4-H is in their lives. Kankakee County 4-H members had the honor of being introduced on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Coming this fall will be new "Explore" activities for high school-age youth. "Explore" will provide opportunities to join other youth in learning about special interests. "Explore" activities can be as diverse as skateboarding, river sports, dog agility training or technology topics. Any youth with a topic they are interested in investigating with others should contact Donna Nuger at dnuger@uiuc.edu.

Plans are being finalized for our summer enrichment camps. Once again, Camp Clover, Theater Camp and Ecology Camp will be offered. New this year is Science Camp which offers hands-on activities in physical science. These half day camps are offered in a variety of locations across the county. Check the list below and schedule a summer of fun. Use the University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County website to download an enrollment form and more information. Deadline for registration is 7 days before the first day of camp. All camps have a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25 participants, so sign up early to avoid disappointment.

Camp Clover includes Science You Can Eat, leadership and aerospace. (Free)

June 12-15 ~ 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ~ Kankakee Community Resource Center

July 16-19 ~ 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ~ Rehoboth Mennonite Church, Pembroke

August 6-9 ~ 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ~ Liseiux Center Kankakee

Theater Camp features puppets, original scripts, makeup, and staging. ($5)

June 18-22 ~ 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ~ Kankakee Community Resource Center

Wonderwise Sea Otter Biologist lets you be the scientist studying marine mammals, fish and birds of the Pacific. (Free)

July 10-13 ~ 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ~ Kankakee Community Resource Center

July 23-26 ~ 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ~ Rehoboth Mennonite Church, Pembroke

Science Camp includes aerospace, electricity, meteorology and GPS/GIS. ($10)

June 26-29 ~ 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ~ Kankakee Community Resource Center