Join 4-H in Glenview, Illinois: Cultivate Values Kids Can't Get in the Big City

The 4-H program has been around for over 100 years and has grown into one of the largest youth serving organizations. You can find 4-H in all 50 states and in more than 80 countries. It is open to ages 5-18, regardless of ethnicity, disability, econcomic or social background. Youth learn to develop skills and interact with other youth and adults across their state through 4-H projects and activities.

The 4-H group I'm going to write about in this article is one located near the city of Chicago in the suburb of Glenview, IL. They call themselves the Glenview Clovers. The projects and activities offered to the Glenview Clovers as well as any 4-H club in Illinois, are from the University of Illinois Extension. They enroll children ages 8-18 and charge a minimal 40 dollar a year fee to join. The club year runs from September 1 through August 31. Each 4-H club is a little different in size, types of activities they can offer in their area and the number of meetings and social gatherings they have a month. The Glenview Clovers are unique in the fact that they are in a metropolitan area and have a farm with cows, pigs, horses, sheep, chickens, rabbits etc. right in the middle of downtown Glenview. It is a strange sight indeed to see this rural setting on a busy city street but it allows city kids to learn and appreciate farm life. Most people in Glenview have never heard of 4-H, but if you ask a rural family about it, that has transplanted to Glenview, it is usually all they knew and was involved with as a child.