Preparing youth to become tomorrow’s leaders is the focus of the University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H programs. From deciding what projects and topics interest you, 4-H members have an opportunity to gain skills and help their community in endless ways, says 4-H Youth Development Educator Shelby Carlson:
“We have young people who are practicing their leadership skills, but those are the skills that are coming naturally. When you are unlocking those passions, and I always when I talk to kids I ask what is something they are interested in they wish they could learn about in school, because there are projects for that. We have kids learning about aerospace and rocketry. Some are doing art projects and learning really cool techniques and with that, maybe they are getting a chance to visit with some of those older generations they haven’t before; learning about communities outside of their own. Maybe it is entomology and bugs or rocks. When I say the sky is the limit, the sky is not even the limit in 4-H with some of our projects.”
To find out more on how to become involved in your local county’s 4-H program, contact Shelby at 309-342-5108.
**Written by WMOI/WRAM Director of Communications Kelsey Crain**
