New 4-H Family Orientation
University of Illinois Extension
Kane County Unit
535 S. Randall Road
St. Charles, IL 60174
630/584-6166
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/kane4h/
What is 4-H?
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Voluntary, informal education program for boys and girls who
are ages 8 to 18, or in the third grade by September 1 of the
current program year.
Open to everyone.
Clubs are volunteer led. Purpose is education involving
dedicated volunteers as teachers and mentors. Family
involvement in the program is important.
Members are expected to be active in their club and complete
their project responsibilities at least for the year they enroll.
Parents are expected to support that commitment through
example, assistance, and enforcement.
What is 4-H? (continued)
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To encourage a well-rounded 4-H experience, youth
must participate in a minimum of four 4-H meetings,
tours, workshops, and/or other 4-H activities in Kane
County (or representing Kane County) to be
considered a 4-H member in Kane County. Two of
those activities must be club meetings; the other two
are at the member choosing. Those who do not meet
this requirement will not be eligible to take part in 4-H
exhibitions, receive 4-H premiums or other 4-H awards
and recognition that are available to 4-H members.
What methods does 4-H use?
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Meetings – democratic process where youth
experience being officers, serving on committees
and conducting business
Projects & Clinics – tools to create interest and
develop skills
Field Trips & Tours – expand project experience
and explore careers
Public Presentations – develop skills to speak
comfortably in front of others
What methods does 4-H use?
(continued)
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Community Service – develops community
citizenship
County Fair Judging/Exhibits – expands project
learning and provides recognition for project
achievement
Recognition – certificates, year pins, project medals,
ribbons, awards, trips, scholarships, and
memorabilia to provide motivation and
encouragement
Who is responsible for administering the 4-H
program?
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University of Illinois Extension
U of I Extension receives financial support from
the federal, state, and county governments, as
well as private donors.
We provide informal education to the citizens
of Kane County – 4-H youth development,
consumer & family, horticulture, nutrition &
wellness, agriculture.
Staff Introductions
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Deanna Roby, Extension Educator,
4-H and Youth Development
Donna Nuger, Extension Educator,
4-H and Youth Development (Metro
Communities)
Doris Braddock, Program
Coordinator, 4-H and Youth
Development
Sandra Davis, County Director
Julie Jarmusz, Office Support
Associate
Melanie Lund, Office Support
Assistant
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Laura Barr, Extension Educator,
Health and Wellness
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Richard Hentschel, Extension
Educator Horticulture
Sarah Fellerer, Program Coordinator,
Master Gardeners
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Jessica Gadomski, Extension
Educator, SNAP-Ed
Maria Trejo, SNAP-Ed
Olivia Melgoza, SNAP-Ed
Lorena Reyes, SNAP-Ed
Program
What are some 4-H basics?
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Pledge: “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my
heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service,
and my health to better living, for my club, my
community, my country, and my world.”
Motto: “To Make The Best Better”
Colors: green and white
What are some 4-H basics?
(continued)
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Emblem: The 4-H emblem is the four-leaf clover
with the letter “H” on each leaf, standing for head,
heart, hands, and health. It is copyrighted and
can only be used by authorized representatives for
specific purposes.
What is a 4-H club?
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A group of boys and girls organized with officers
and with one or more adult volunteer leaders.
Clubs can organize within a neighborhood, a school,
a church, or social unit.
The size of the club should be suitable to the age of
the members, meeting place, and leadership
available. To start a club, there must be at least five
youth and a screened adult volunteer.
What is a 4-H club? (continued)
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Most clubs hold monthly or bi-monthly meetings,
normally the same day of the week and time each
month. Clubs must meet at least 6 times during the
program year.
Youth can also be members of special interest
groups, short-term groups, and school enrichment
programs.
Who organizes and guides local
4-H clubs?
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Adult volunteers with support, training and guidance
from the local Extension Office.
Adults serve as volunteers. Volunteer leaders have
three basic roles:
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Organizational – this leader organizes meeting location,
enrollment, club program, and serves as the club’s contact
with the Extension Office
Project – this leader provides direction and support for
member’s project work
Activity – this leader coordinates club wide activities
outside of project work
Who organizes and guides local
4-H clubs? (continued)
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Clubs are always in need of volunteers.
Parents can assist the club by helping in a
variety of ways.
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Adult volunteers must complete the volunteer
screening process.
What is the volunteer screening
process?
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Volunteer Application
Department of Children & Family Services Child
Abuse & Neglect Tracking System check
Illinois State Police Background Check
Registered Sex Offenders Website Check through
Illinois State Police
References (relative, work, personal)
Interview (as needed basis)
Abused, Neglected Child Reporting Act
(ANCRA)training
What about 4-H club meetings?
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Purposes – acquire new information, learn creative use
of leisure time, develop social skills, acquire leadership
skills and citizenship traits.
Opportunity to learn and practice group decision
making.
Important to attend meetings regularly.
Parents encouraged to attend; but youth should be
making decisions.
What about 4-H club meetings?
(continued)
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Most clubs meet monthly.
Clubs have to meet at least 6 times during
year.
Club meeting should be balanced between
business, educational programs, and
recreation.
Youth should have the opportunity to give at
least one talk or demonstration during the year.
What are 4-H projects?
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Challenging, but practical planned course of study with learning
experiences centered around a specific subject.
Designed for year long involvement.
Over 100 different projects to choose from in the Illinois Clover.
Youth must enroll in projects on a yearly basis; project enrollments
don’t carry over from year to year.
Project work can be done independently or as a group.
Youth must be enrolled in one project to participate in 4-H.
Generally, we ask for this project selection by December of the
current program year. In April of the current program year, all
project enrollments must be finalized. Projects added after the
final enrollment deadline in April may not be exhibited at the
county fair.
Some guidelines to selecting
projects . . . .
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Know what is expected in the project and also what
youth want to learn (refer to project manual, goal
sheets, fairbook).
Projects are selected each year.
Do not enroll in more projects than can be realistically
completed.
Each project has some general age guidelines. Pick
the project that best fits your abilities and age level.
Youth may not enroll in multiple levels of the same
project (i.e. Woodworking I, II and III).
Some factors to consider when
selecting projects . . . .
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Project costs are the responsibility of the member.
Meet the needs & interests of the member; be open to
new interests.
Project is in keeping with age & ability of member
How much time does the member have? How much
time does the project require? What season of the
year is the project work done in?
Is the project acceptable to parents? Does it fit with
family needs and abilities?
Some factors to consider when
selecting projects . . . .
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How much will the project cost?
Is there adequate space & equipment available to do
the project?
Is there an opportunity for ownership & management
responsibilities?
Are there project leaders in the club to help? Or are
the parents willing to help with the project? If parents
can’t help, do you know someone who can and is
willing?
How can projects be conducted?
(this varies from club to club)
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Project meetings at local club
Regular club meetings (demos, project talks)
Tours
Special workshops or clinics
Family support & assistance at home
Exhibit project at shows, fairs, etc.
Recordkeeping/project plan/goal sheets
What is the Kane County Fair?
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An opportunity for 4-H members to exhibit current
year’s project work.
Held in cooperation with the Kane County Fair
Association. U of I Extension and this group are two
separate entities.
U of I Extension deals with 4-H exhibit related issues
only.
The fairbook lists exhibit classes and requirements for
those classes. The fairbook is available online.
What is the Kane County Fair?
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Read the fairbook carefully – you don’t have to read
the whole thing, but read the section(s) that pertain to
your child’s 4-H projects and the general rules.
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Enrolling in projects is not enrolling in the fair. Projects
are what you do to complete exhibits for the fair; there
is a separate entry form for what you will actually be
exhibiting at the fair. Youth can only bring exhibits
related to projects they are enrolled in.
What is the Kane County Fair?
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Each youth will receive an individual fair enrollment
form. It is distributed at a club meeting. It is preprinted with classes they are eligible to exhibit in – this
is based on what projects youth are enrolled in.
Individuals are responsible for turning in their own fair
enrollment form by the deadline. Fair entry forms are
generally due the first part of June. After the form is
turned in you cannot make changes or additions.
What is the Kane County Fair?
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General Projects are checked in between 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. on
Monday of the fair week at the 4-H/Industrial Building on the
fairgrounds. Livestock projects check-in on Tuesday of fair week
beginning at noon.
All general project judging takes place from 2-6 p.m. on Monday of
the fair week – youth bring projects and are judged at that time.
Parents are asked to wait in the parent gallery during the judging.
Livestock shows are held at various times throughout fair week –
see fairbook for exact times.
Projects stay on display until 6 p.m. on the last Sunday of fair
week. Projects are not allowed to leave early.
Some project shows are held prior to fair week – dogs, cats, small
pets, and bicycles.
What is the Kane County Fair?
(continued)
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4-H utilizes conference judging – this is an opportunity
for 4-H members to talk to the judge about their 4-H
project. Generally, each child will have at least 5
minutes with the judge to discuss their project. This
varies somewhat in livestock projects.
Everyone is awarded an blue, red or white ribbon
based on their own individual merits. There is a 2nd
phase of judging which is more competitive.
In the 2nd (competitive) phase of judging, champion
exhibits and state fair delegates are selected, if
merited.
What is the Kane County Fair?
(continued)
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Season passes are given to any 4-H member that
exhibits at the fair. Youth are asked to pick them up on
the day they check their projects in (Monday of fair
week for general projects; Tuesday for livestock
projects). Members showing only before this day (i.e.
dog, small pets, cats, bicycles), still must get the pass
on the general projects check-in day. Any member not
showing until later in the week (livestock) will go to the
4-H Fair Office (on the fairgrounds) to get their pass.
Parents/Leaders can purchase season tickets at a
reduced rate prior to July 1.
Other Resources for You
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Extension Office/staff
What About 4-H brochure
4-H Calendar (yearly calendar of events &
activities)
4-H Newsletter (bi-monthly, sent to 4-H
families)
4-H Glossary
Other Resources for You
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Websites
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Kane County Extension
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http://web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/kane4h/
Illinois 4-H
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http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/
THANK YOU!
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Thank you for taking time to learn more about
4-H.
If you have questions, please contact Doris or
Deanna at the Extension Office.
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Doris, dbraddoc@uiuc.edu,
Deanna, roby@uiuc.edu,