OGLE COUNTY — 4-H youth development programs provide hands-on learning activities for youth in Illinois and throughout the country. 4-H youth programs focus on leadership, citizenship and life skills.
Every county in Illinois has a 4-H program which is operated through University of Illinois Extension. 4-H club membership is open to youth 8 to 18. Youth 5 to 7 years of age may join the 4-H Cloverbud program.
There are several ways to participate in 4-H. Youth may join 4-H clubs, coordinated by local screened adult volunteers. Each club decides how often it meets, the location of its meetings and the activities held during the meeting. Members may select from dozens of project areas to study while they build leadership, teamwork, cooperation, decision-making and communication skills.
Youth may also choose to focus on a very specific project area and join a club specifically related to that one project, said Jodi Baumgartner, University of Illinois Extension, Ogle County. Robotics, photography, gardening, visual arts, and nutrition, are just a few of the popular topics for special interest clubs.
One may also participate in 4-H through short term projects held during school or at after school youth organizations. Some of these popular groups teach youth about caring for the environment, preparing for a career, making healthy choices or other priority issues which build a person’s life skills.
Currently, there are 14 community-based clubs in Ogle County. All are looking forward to meeting prospective new 4-H families at upcoming meetings. To learn more about 4-H in your area, contact your local club leader. You can also learn more about 4-H by visiting the Ogle County site at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/bdo/.
Ogle County 4-H Clubs & Cloverbud programs include:
Byron
By-Y-Badgers 4-H Club
Next Meeting: Oct. 9, 7 p.m., United Church of Byron
For info, call Julie Carlson – 815-234-5640 or Carmon Conderman – 815-234-3089
Forreston
Summerhill Huskies 4-H Club
Next meeting: Oct. 9, 5 p.m., DeVries Farms
For info, call Tammy DeVries – 815-291-9943
Grand Detour

Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club
Next meeting: Oct.19, 7 p.m., Faith Assembly Church, Grand Detour
For info, call Terri Heller – 815-677-1329
Kings
Kings and Queens 4-H Club (Enrollment limited to youth living in district)
Next meeting: Nov. 8, 3:10 p.m., Kings School
Cloverbuds open to youth ages 5 – 7, 11:45 a.m., Kings School
For info, call Jeanette Mingus – 815-562-7191
Leaf River
Leaf River Busy Beavers 4-H Club
Next meeting: Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m., Bertolet Building, Leaf River. For info, call Melinda Charbonneau – 815-541-0016
Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club
Next meeting: Nov. 13, 6 p.m., River Valley Complex, Leaf River. For info, call Rene Wehler – 815-734-1374 or Kenlie Motszko – 815-821-3238
Monroe Center
Mighty Clovers 4-H Club
Next meeting: Oct. 12, 6:15 p.m., Monroe Center Community Church. For info, call Jenny Hagemann – 847-815-9182
Mount Morris
Circle M 4-H Club
Next meeting: Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m., Mt. Morris Church of the Brethren
For info, call Angela Reigle – 815-994-0128 or Deb Daleiden – 847-239-2330
Oregon
Blackhawk Crossings 4-H Club
Next meeting: Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m., Leaders home. Call for directions.
For info, call Lisa Hinrichs, 815-298-8009 or Tanya Koper-Bowers, 815-994-1334
Polo
Pine Creek Valley 4-H Club
Next meeting: Oct. 23, 7 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Polo. The club meets every fourth Monday. For info, call Tanya Bushman – 815-973-2748
Rochelle
Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H Club — Next meeting: Nov. 20, 6 p.m., Rochelle United Methodist Church, Rochelle. For info, call Trisha Vaughn – 815-561-6156 or Bethany Kennedy – 815-200-3904
Ogle County Clovers — Next meeting: Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m., Rochelle United Methodist Church, Rochelle. For info, call Becky or Carley Ackland – 815-751-2483
Ogle County 4-H Horse Drill Team — Seasonal activities. Practices at Diamond G Ranch & Western Wear, Rochelle. For info, call the Extension Office at 815-732-2191
4-H is an informal youth education program conducted by University of Illinois Extension. U of I Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in 4-H, contact the Ogle County Extension staff at 815-732-2191.