In 4-H, you get to be you! We welcome everyone from all backgrounds, with all interests, wherever you live. We'll help you learn more about the things you like to do. We'll provide opportunities for you to meet mentors and kids who share your interests. Travel to exciting new places. Check out careers. Explore the world around you while you build up the community where you live. All that and more awaits you in Illinois 4-H.
Your adventure begins today in 4-H.
- Create innovative projects
- Embrace your community
- Change the world
- Be part of a team
- Ignite your creativity
- Make good choices
- Build something today that lasts a lifetime
When you join 4-H, you are joining the largest out-of-school youth program in the country. There are 6 million kids just like you across the country in 4-H, and 200,000 of them live here in Illinois. 4-H is in every county in Illinois. Wherever you live 4-H is there. Depending on what your interests are, there’s a 4-H program where you belong and feel welcomed!
4-H offers so much for you to do. You find the path that makes sense for you! Join a club or after-school program, attend camp, sign up as a 4-H Teen Teacher, participate in a 4-H event, have fun, explore your interests, build leadership skills and make connections to new friends, mentors, and future employers.
Who We Serve
One in every 14 kids in Illinois is involved in 4-H.
The 4-H Year begins on September 1, and whatever your age is on that date determines how you join 4-H. Are you 5 to 7 years old? Then, you’ll join a Cloverbud Club which has activities that are just right for you. If you are 8 to 18 years old, your 4-H Club will include a variety of ages, and each one of you brings something important to the club experience. Some 4-H Clubs focus on a single topic, while others allow youth to choose from dozens of projects to learn about.
4-H may have gotten its start in rural America, but today, 4-H Clubs are in all cities, suburbs, towns and neighborhoods, too. Clubs are easy to start… all you need is an adult volunteer and five kids who agree to meet at least six times during the year.
The mission of Illinois 4-H is to provide an environment in which all youth feel welcomed and have an equal opportunity to learn and grow, and we remain committed to that mission. As a program of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois 4-H remains committed to provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for all of its participants, regardless of their sexual orientation including gender identity.
Ready to learn more?
Learn how to sign up/Renew in Zsuite
*Note if you previously had a profile in 4-H Online, you will need to create a new profile in Zsuite