Local Youth Program Observes National 4–H Week
Offers a place where kids can belong, lead and learn

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[October 05, 2022] 

Illinois 4-H members are joining six million youth across the country in celebrating National 4-H Week October 2nd through 8th. Clubs around Illinois celebrate this week by highlighting the remarkable 4 H youth in their communities and showcasing the incredible experiences that 4 H offers young people.

Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth program for the University of Illinois Extension and the largest out-of-school youth organization in Illinois. 4-H youth development programs in Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties challenge youth to “learn by doing” with fun, hands-on activities. Kids can learn, practice, and demonstrate new skills while exploring the interests that are important to them.

In 4-H, youth are brought together in clubs, led by caring adults, who welcome them as a part of the larger 4-H family. Members learn about topics that interest them through projects. That could be anything from learning how to cook, build a robot or care for the environment. Members can explore these topics through 4-H experiences such as community clubs, special interest clubs, workshops and more.

”4-H’s ‘learn by doing’ philosophy encourages youth to experiment, innovate and think independently,” said Carissa Davis, 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 range in age from 8 to 18. Youth who are 5 to 7 years of age may join 4-H as a Cloverbud member. The cost to join 4-H for the year is $20.

New members can get more information by visiting go.illinois.edu/LMS4-H or contacting your local 4-H office:

  • Logan County: 217-732-8289

  • Menard County: 217-632-7491

  • Sangamon County: 217-782-4617

Community clubs offered in the Logan, Menard and Sangamon County Extension unit are as follows:


Logan County 4-H member Rose Catterson (Atlanta) presents an Oral Interpretation speech during the 2022 Logan/Menard/Sangamon 4-H Public Speaking Contest.

Logan County 4-H Clubs youth can join:

  • Atlanta Ag & Atlanta Ag Cloverbuds
    meets 3rd Sunday at 3 p.m. in Atlanta

  • Atlanta Town and Country
    meets 1st Monday at 7 p.m. in Atlanta

  • Beason Ag
    meets 2nd Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in Beason

  • Chester
    meets 3rd Sunday at 2 p.m. in Lincoln

  • Cloverdale
    meets 1st Thursday at 7 p.m. in Lincoln

  • Four Corner Clovers & Four Corner Cloverbuds
    meets 2nd Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Lincoln

  • Hollanders & Whiz Kids Cloverbuds
    meets 3rd Sunday at 1 p.m. in New Holland

  • Middletown 4-H’ers & Middletown Cloverbuds
    meets 1st Sunday in Middletown

  • Topper
    meets 1st Sunday at 2 p.m. in Mt. Pulaski

  • Wide-A-Wake
    meets 2nd Sunday at 3 p.m. in Lincoln

  • Wide-A-Wake Early Risers
    meets 2nd Sunday at 3:45 p.m. in Lincoln

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Menard County 4-H member William O’Brien (Petersburg) participates in the 2022 Menard County 4-H Beef Show.

Menard County 4-H Clubs youth can join:

  • Greenview Boosters & Greenview Boosters Cloverbuds
    meets 3rd Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in Greenview

  • West Menarders & West Menarders Cloverbuds – meets 1st Sunday at 5:30 p.m. in Petersburg


Sangamon County 4-H member Clark Cantrell (Chatham) demonstrates his catapult to volunteer judge Rebecca Jo Luke for his Junk Drawer Robotics project exhibit during the 2022 Sangamon/Menard 4-H General Projects Show.

Sangamon County 4-H Clubs youth can join:

  • Capital Clovers & Capital Cloverbuds
    meets 3rd Sunday at 3 p.m. in Springfield

  • Cooper Jets & Cooper Jets Cloverbuds
    meets 4th Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in Rochester

  • Illiopolis
    meets 3rd Sunday at 5 p.m. in Illiopolis

  • Island Grove & Island Grove Cloverbuds
    meets 3rd Sunday at 2 p.m. in New Berlin

  • Pleasant Plains Clovers
    meets 3rd Sunday at 2 p.m. in Pleasant Plains

  • Sugar Creek Pioneers
    meets 2nd Sunday at 2 p.m. in Chatham

  • Talkington
    meets 2nd Sunday at 5:30 p.m. in Waverly

  • Town and Country
    meets 1st Saturday at 1 p.m. in Auburn

  • Tri-City
    meets 3rd Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Buffalo

  • West Side & West Side Cloverbuds
    meets 2nd Wednesday at 7 p.m. in New Berlin

ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences.4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.

[WRITER: Amy Zepp, 4-H Program Coordinator, Sangamon County] 

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