4-H Youth Program

The greatest good we can do for others is not just to share our riches with them, but to enable them to discover their own skills. By becoming an Extension volunteer, you can: Help the youth of today; Learn new skills and gain experiences; Meet new people; Accomplish something; Use your creativity; Share a fun time with your family; Learn and grow.

The following volunteer opportunities are available at the McHenry County Extension office.

• 4-H Club or Special Interest Group Leader: Organize and lead a group of youth (minimum of six meetings per year)
• 4-H Project Leader: Teach a group of youth a skill or hobby (set your own time – recommended three meetings per year)
• 4-H Communications Mini Fair Co-Coordinator: Coordinate Communications Mini-Fair with Extension Staff member (event is once per year – duties would include at least two planning meetings.)
• 4-H Officer Training Coordinator: Work with 4-H youth and an Extension Staff member to teach topics such as Parliamentary Procedure; Club office duties, Ages and Stages to 4-H Club officers from around the county (event is once per year – duties would include at least two planning meetings.)
• 4-H Learning Enrichment Co-Coordinator: Assist with publicity and meetings to increase knowledge of University curriculum (various appointment throughout the year – one to two planning/strategy meetings)
• 4-H State Fair Coordinator/Registrar: Register families for State Fair (Coordination/strategy meeting with Extension 4-H Youth staff and one week commitment during county fair time.)
• 4-H Fair Superintendent: Assist in establishing project guidelines, locate judges, actively present for judging at the county fair (fair book meeting in December or January, some hours for judge location and coordination in mid to late summer months, present at the county fair – especially during judging)
• 4-H Fair Set-up and Take-down Co-Coordinator: Work with Extension staff (and project superintendents) to coordinate setup and takedown of 4-H Fair building and displays (one to two meetings with Extension staff prior to county fair; present for set-up and take-down on judging days and county fair open and close.)
• 4-H International Night Coordinator: Coordinate, with Global Connections Team, International Night. Duties include assigning country choices to clubs, program planning, set-up coordination, presence at the event, take-down coordination, and media relations (two to three planning meetings between December and March in addition to background coordinating duties.)
• Expansion and Review Committee Member: Discuss current issues affecting the 4-H Youth Development program. Review current impact of 4-H and other youth programming. Make recommendations for Extension future impact. Creation of activities and events sponsored by this group (quarterly meetings and possible sub-committee meetings throughout the year.)
• Recognition Banquet Co-Coordinator: Assist Extension staff with coordination of the yearly recognition banquet and banquet activities (planning meetings approximately two to three times in late spring through early fall.)

Additional Volunteer Opportunities | 4-H and Youth