Youth-Run Organization

4-H is a program for youth to learn life skills. We believe that 4-H'ers learn by doing. So, we teach youth how to run their own club, make their own decisions, follow through on responsibilities, and plan and carry out events.

4-H is a Family Affair

The true 4-H experience is a great one, especially if the whole family gets involved! Parents should go to the 4-H meetings, volunteer to help at the club level, and support their 4-H'er in the 4-H experience. Make 4-H a family adventure!

Involvement in 4-H

A 4-H'er and their family can be as involved in 4-H as they want to be. 4-H'ers and parents can be involved at the club level, county level, state level, and national level.

Clover Newsletter

The 4-H Clover Newsletter is a newsletter for 4-H families. The newsletter focuses mainly on 4-H events going on in the county and in the state. The newsletter includes important deadlines, event registration information, and details about upcoming events for 4-H'ers and their families. Not everything in the 4-H Clover pertains to every family, but if you read the headings and highlight the applicable items, it will be a great source of info for you!

Camp

Camper – 4-H'ers can attend a 5-day, 4-night residential camp in Adeline, Illinois at the end of June every year. 4-H'ers who attend Camp White Eagle 4-H Camp talk about it for years! This camp experience is for any 4-H'er age 8-14. Campers enjoy canoeing, rock climbing, rifelry, archery, swimming, nature walks, fun, friends, and more! And parents enjoy the break!

Counselor – 4-H'ers can serve as camp counselors once they reach the age of 15. This experience is a great one for high school age youth! Leadership, team building, responsibility, experience working with kids, life skills, and loads of fun are what our 4-H Camp Counselors experience at camp!

International Exchange Opportunities

The 4-H International Program offers summer outbound opportunities to places like Australia, Japan and Costa Rica. Information about these opportunities is available on our website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/members/international.cfm.

Federation

4-H Federation is a club for youth ages 13-18 from all of the different clubs in the county. 4-H Club members attend both their regular club meetings and the Federation meetings. Federation focuses on leadership and building life skills for the older members of 4-H. Federation is a great way to get a 4-H'er involved with other youth their age! Federation plans events for youth in the county, recreational events, educational events, fund-raisers, and more! Contact the Extension Office for more information at (815) 986-4357.