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Community Service and Service Learning Experiences

4-H Club engagement in service is a valued part of the Illinois Extension 4-H experience for thousands of youth each year and teaches valuable lessons. There is a tremendous need for service to support the physical and mental health of our communities so we want to provide ways in which 4-H clubs and members can provide those services.

volunteers cleaning up

National Day of Service

Stay tuned for information on the 2024 National 4-H Day of Service. 

We hope you will join 4-H as we pledge our hands to larger service! We ask that all 4-H members, families, and clubs register all service outreach efforts they have conducted or plan to conduct that demonstrate their support of their communities. This registration form provides a spot to identify if planned service experiences were or will be conducted as a 4-H club, a 4-H family, or an individual 4-H member service project.

2 volunteers planting a tree

4-H True Leaders in Service

Every April, as part of True Leaders in Service and National Volunteer Appreciation Month, 4-H'ers are putting their pledge into action, "I pledge...my hands to larger service...".

We can't wait to share your impact! We ask that all 4-H members, families, and clubs report the service outreach efforts they have conducted that demonstrate their support of their communities. This registration form provides a spot to identify if planned service experiences were conducted as a 4-H club, a 4-H family, or an individual 4-H member service project. We know many club conduct multiple service outreach efforts and we encourage you to register and report on all of those efforts.

kids filling food distribution boxes

Implementing Effective Community Service Projects

“I pledge…my hands to larger service…” We should all be familiar with this phrase. Most likely, you hear it each month at your club/group meeting as it’s a part of the 4-H pledge that all members learn. 4-H members are encouraged to develop and practice skills to become helpful or useful in their club/group, community, country, and world.  Learn key elements to planning effective community service projects in your community.