Four-H is a community. A community of young people learning by doing and adult volunteers helping them on their journey. Community is such an important part of who we are and our future. As parents, we want to provide the best environments for our children to feel safe, explore and grow.
Our local 4-H clubs provide those very things. I thought about how I could best share with you the impact of 4-H and why I believe that to be true. That’s when I remembered this past Illinois State Fair and the opportunity the state 4-H staff gave to all the 4-H members and families to express how 4-H impacts their lives.
I decided their quotes speak volumes, and I want to share some of them with you. They are perfect expressions of the 4-H community and why I invite you to contact me to learn more.
What 4-H Means to Me
“Four-H is my family, my life and my future. No matter where you are, be it a show ring or a project show, you always know you have people encouraging you and helping you along the way. I don’t know who I would be without 4-H.” — Justene, 18.
“Being free to be who you are and express yourself through your own talents. Learning to lead and not be afraid.” — Emma P., 13.
“Finding out what I want to be when I grow up! Explore!” — Hailey N., 17.
“It means FAMILY! People in your county become like your second family.” — Ashly, 16.
“To me 4-H means work, frustration, failure, trying multiple times to do something, but it also makes you feel great when you accomplish something. Failure is good. It gives you more practice. It takes time, work and frustration, to make greatness.” — Anonymous.
“Four-H is a place of community, friendship, support and challenge. Four-H helps create a better you by pushing your boundaries through cooperative competition and club activities. Go 4-H!” — Gwen, 17.
“A chance for my children to show courage and attempt new challenges.” — Rob, parent of a 4-H member.
“Being a part of something.”— Ross, 8.
“Place where I could fit in and meet other kids with common interests. Four-H was where I could learn to be a leader and take responsibility. Four-H helped me find out what I wanted to do with my life and where I wanted to go. It gave my curiosity fuel and room to grow.” — Elisha, 4-H alumni.
“To do my best in everything, and if you don’t get it, you try again.” — Sara, 11.
“Lessons that you’ll remember forever!” — Lydia, 11.
“Cool science.” — Oliver, 7.
“Four-H is being able to pass on knowledge that I have gained to the youth of tomorrow.” — Joshua, 19.
“My son is on the autism spectrum, and 4-H gave him the opportunity to be a leader to his club and community. We love 4-H!” — Lisa, parent of a 4-H member.
“When I do 4-H, I feel like it’s a way to express my thoughts and feelings in a project.” — Hannah, 12.
“It gives me responsibility and courage to do things in life. I learn things I didn’t know. It’s really fun to try out new projects and new things.” — Haylee, 13.
“As a leader, it is always great to hear from my members’ teachers that they can tell who are 4-H members and who is not in their classes. The 4-H members can express themselves verbally, are very passionate in what they do, and their leadership skills.” — Michelle, adult leader.
“A chance to experience before I choose my true goal in life.” — Morgan, 12.
To start your own 4-H journey, please contact: Sue Brooker, 4-H and youth development program coordinator; University of Illinois Extension; 850 Thompson St.; Princeton, Ill; 61356. Call at 815-875-2878. Email at sbrooker@illinois.edu.
Sue Brooker is the program coordinator for 4-H and youth development at the University of Illinois Extension — Bureau County.