Local 4-H members observe National 4-H Week celebration

[September 30, 2015]  LINCOLN - 4-H’ers in Logan County will join 6 million other youth currently in 4-H celebrating National 4-H Week Oct. 4-10. 4-H youth development programs provide hands-on learning activities for youth in Illinois and are assisted by more than 13,000 volunteer adult leaders. One out of every seven adults in the U.S. is a former 4-H member.

”4-H’ers learn by doing philosophy encourages youth to experiment, innovate, and think independently, said Carissa Akpore, University of Illinois Extension Youth Development Educator. “4-H grows confident kids who tackle issues that matter most in their communities.” Illinois 4-H members prepare for their future by studying careers related to their 4-H project. “They choose from more than 100 projects to study,” said Akpore. The topics range from rocketry, GPS, computer game design, and public speaking to photography, animal science, nutrition, and more.

Lexi Tibbs, an 18 year old 4-H member of the Hollanders 4-H club, states “My personal development through 4-H has helped me be able to express myself, grow through trying many different things, and not be afraid to create something.”

Sarah Irwin, a 17 year old 4-H member of the Chester 4-H club says “4-H has taught me more about leadership and community service and made me a better person.”

Emma Mammen, a 16 year old 4-H member of the Middletown 4-H’ers club says “4-H has helped me develop more confidence, learn responsibility and public speaking skills, and create wonderful friendships along the way.”

Clayton Skelton, a 15 year old 4-H member of the Middletown 4-H’ers club says “knowledge gained from my 4-H projects has helped me succeed in school, given me confidence to speak in group settings and learned to be very computer savvy including the ability to use my computer skills and help our elementary school win a $25,000 technology grant.”

4-H club membership is open to youth aged 8 – 18. Youth 5 to 7 years of age may join the 4-H Cloverbud program. To learn more about Logan County 4-H and enroll your child in a local club, contact the Logan County 4-H office at 732-8289.

About 4-H: Illinois 4-H strives to help youth learn skills for living. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois. Illinois 4-H aims to impact the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning clubs and groups and short-term programming.

[Patty Huffer, Logan County Extension/4-H]