Fifteen local youth spent their morning learning responsibility, safety, and business skills at the Babysitting Bootcamp hosted by Hancock County 4-H, Memorial Hospital, and Willow Grove Childcare & Learning Center. The event took place on April 21 at Memorial Hospital in Carthage and welcomed youth ages 9 to 15.
From 8:45 a.m. to noon, participants rotated through hands-on sessions led by professionals from Memorial Hospital and Willow Grove. Topics included basic first aid, recognizing and avoiding choking hazards, engaging activities for children, providing healthy snacks, general safety, and even tips on how to grow their own babysitting business. Each participant received their own first aid kit, binders with family profile sheets, and their own “Safe Sitters” bag to take with them on their future babysitting adventures.
Babysitting & Educating
“This was a great learning opportunity for youth in Hancock County!” said Madeline Davis, Hancock County 4-H Program Coordinator. “Illinois 4-H recently changed the ‘Child Development’ project area to ‘Babysitting’, so I’m excited to hear all about their babysitting experiences and how this workshop helped prepare them!”
Babysitting is now an official 4-H project area in Illinois, and events like the Babysitting Bootcamp aim to prepare youth for the real-world responsibilities of childcare. Organizers say they plan to host this workshop annually.
Up next, Hancock County 4-H and Memorial Hospital will offer Cooking 101 School for students entering 4th and 5th grade. This program runs June 2–6 from 9–11 a.m. and provides a fun and safe way for youth to gain hands-on experience in the kitchen.
For more information about 4-H in Hancock County or to sign up for upcoming programs, contact Madeline Davis at 217-357-2150 or [email protected]. For information about Memorial Hospital, contact Ashlyn Housewright, Executive Director Community Health & Wellness, at 217-357-6540.
About Extension
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state’s land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.
Photo Caption: Event participants Ava (left) & Brynlei (right) Shuman enjoyed creating a nutritious “snack craft” that can also be used as a fun activity when they babysit!
