4-H (Menard & Sangamon County)

4-H is the largest out-of-school youth program in the country, helping youth ages 5-18 explore their interests and gain new skills through 4-H projects.  Although 4-H got its start in rural communities, today 4-H can be found in cities, suburbs, and towns of all sizes.  4-H has continuously expanded the range of projects members can take, now offering science/technology/engineering/math, career and leadership development, global civic engagement, and creative arts, as well as environmental sciences, healthy living and nutrition, and animal science.

Illinois 4-H Mission: Provide an environment in which all youth feel welcomed and have an equal opportunity to learn and grow.

Illinois 4-H Vision: All Illinois youth are empowered and prepared for success. In ten years, Illinois 4-H will reflect the population demographics, diverse needs and social conditions of the state.

The 4-H Pledge: I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking, my HEART to greater loyalty, my HANDS to larger service, and my HEALTH to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

Most people experience 4-H through clubs, which are run by volunteer leaders.

• Community Clubs are traditional 4-H clubs. During club meetings (usually once a month), members develop leadership, communication, and life skills while serving their community and making new friends.  Members work on projects independently, choosing what interests them from among nearly 50 project categories.  Members also have opportunities to participate in events at the county, state, national, and international levels.
• Cloverbud Clubs are for children ages 5-7 as of September 1. During club meetings, members work on a project as a group.  Most Cloverbud Clubs are associated with a Community Club and meet at the same time.
• A SPIN (SPecial INterest) Club focuses on one specific project area, and club meetings are spent developing new skills in that area.

The local 4-H program is administered by the University of Illinois Extension Office.