DuPage, Kane and Kendall County youth can explore interests with 4-H virtual clubs and events
DuPage, Kane and Kendall County youth can discover the arts and sciences with 4-H interactive virtual meetings and hands-on activities to do at home.
In February and March, University of Illinois Extension is hosting a variety of short-term clubs and one-time special learning events, all available online, with something for ages 5 to 18.
"Our upcoming online experiences are designed to keep kids and teens engaged and involved this winter, all while exploring something that interests them," says Deanna Roby-Vorgias, County Director, University of Illinois Extension. "4-H may have roots in agriculture and animal science, but our opportunities branch into career and leadership development, civic engagement, creative arts, environment, food systems, healthy living, and STEM."
Open for registration now are three different short-term special interest clubs. They include: dog care and training, robotics, and exploring 4-H, which includes visual arts, foods, leadership, photography, woodworking, and intercultural studies.
In addition, 4-H will host two special online workshops. The first, "Caring Kids" is for a younger audience - kindergarten to second grade - and participants will learn a little about community service, which is an important part of 4-H. They also will create bookmarks to donate or give to loved ones. The second is for middle- and high-school students. "Listen. Think. Do." will be presented by Siebel Center for Design at University of Illinois, and will delve into the design thinking process.
Registration is required for all of these opportunities. Find more details at go.illinois.edu/4HdkkWinterSpring2021.
Special interest club
• Youth, age 10 or older, can learn to build robots and program them to complete tasks or avoid obstacles in the "Boogie Bots 4-H Robotics SPIN Club." The club meets for 10 weeks from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 11 to March 25. Check out a Lego EV3 kit from the Extension offices and join weekly online meetings in February and March, led by an experienced robotics coach. Work on your own design between sessions. Cost is $20 4-H enrollment fee per youth. Get details at go.illinois.edu/robotSPIN4Hdkk.
• Curious about 4-H or new to 4-H? Learn about six different project areas: visual arts, foods, leadership, photography, woodworking, and intercultural studies. Each week in "Explore 4-H Spin Club," the group will explore new skills and do an activity. They meet for six weeks from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 23 to March 30. Registration opened Jan. 21 and closes Feb. 22 (or when class meets capacity). Get details at go.illinois.edu/ExploreSPIN4Hdkk. For questions, contact 4-H Program Coordinator Andrea Farrier at (217) 300-1369 or farrier2@illinois.edu
• Interested in dog training? Youth, age 8 to 18, can find out about dog care, showing and obedience skills, fun tricks, and more in this six-week "Dog Training Spin Club." Meet from 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays, beginning Feb. 21 to March 28. Members join online meetings to learn and then practice skills at home. Youth can even upload videos of them working with their dogs to get helpful feedback. Cost is $20 4-H enrollment fee per youth. Get details at go.illinois.edu/dogSPIN4Hdkk.
One-day webinars
• On Monday, Feb. 22, sixth- to 12th-graders can experience the design thinking process and discover the merits of human-centered problem solving with Siebel Center for Design at University of Illinois. The "Listen. Think. Do. Design Thinking Webinar with 4-H" will be 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. Participants also will learn a little about the 4-H Teen Science Ambassador program in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties. 4-H Science Ambassadors learn and lead interactive, STEM-based lessons for youth and communities through 4-H. Registration closes Feb. 15. For questions, contact 4-H Program Coordinator Jo Ann Britton at jbritton@illinois.edu or (217) 300-8666. Learn more information and register at go.illinois.edu/DesignThinking4Hdkk.
• Each winter, the Extension hosts a workshop designed for younger students (kindergarten to second grade) This virtual "Caring Kids Webinar for Cloverbud Age Youth" will focus on caring for communities from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. They will talk about giving back and helping others. Participants also will create heart-themed bookmarks they can give to neighbors or family members, or even donate! They will learn new things, have fun, and practice skills. Cost is $5 for individual supply kit or $7 for family supply kit (2-plus youth participating). More details coming soon at go.illinois.edu/2021Cloverbuds4Hdkk. Registration closes Feb. 14. For questions, contact 4-H Program Coordinator Kim Eisnaugle at keisnaug@illinois.edu or (217) 300-9092.
If you need an accommodation in order to participate, please contact the program coordinator, email uie-dkk@illinois.edu, or call 630-584-6166. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
4-H positive youth development programs foster belonging, independence, generosity, and mastery, and 4-H clubs can provide one place for families to allow youth ages 8 to 18 to explore their own individual interests and goals. In addition, some clubs also have Cloverbud programs designed for ages 5 to 7.