Registration

4-H University of Illinois Campus Field Trip to Vet Med Open House

🌟 University of Illinois Vet Med Open House Field Trip 🌟

For Coles, Cumberland, Shelby, and Moultrie-Douglas 4-H Members Ages 5-18

All about the Vet Med Open House (shared by the Vet Med Department at the following link: https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/4814?eventId=33557943

Join us for a day of discovery and animal-filled fun as the 2026 Open House at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine transforms into Camp Vet Med.

Follow the trail to more than 40 booths and demonstrations staffed by current veterinary students and discover the animals, science, and people behind veterinary medicine. This free event happens Sunday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the state’s only veterinary college, with free parking at 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, Ill. Registration is not required.

Inspired by the spirit of summer camp, Camp Vet Med invites visitors to unplug from their routines and experience a day of learning with family and friends. Along the way, you'll meet lots of animals, get hands-on with crafts and activities, and find out how veterinarians protect both animal and human health.

Something for Everyone, from Kids to Aspiring Veterinarians

Camp Vet Med will highlight fields of veterinary medicine from anesthesiology to zoological medicine and veterinary student clubs devoted to business management, community medicine, and more. Young visitors will enjoy a scavenger hunt and crafts and facepainting at the Kids’ Tent. The Wildlife Medical Clinic, a student-run program that provides medical care for ill or injured wildlife, will introduce visitors to their ambassador animals. Other demonstrations include horseshoeing, rehabilitation for dogs and cats, and the Illini Service Dogs.

If you’re considering a veterinary career, make tracks to the presentation veterinary school admissions. You’ll have a chance to ask questions of a panel of current students.

When it’s time to refuel, visit the Production Medicine Club food booth that offers hamburgers, hot dogs, and more. Proceeds support extracurricular learning experiences for veterinary students interested in food animal practice.

Whether you’re a lifelong animal lover, a budding scientist, or simply looking for a memorable adventure, Camp Vet Med has something for you. No camping gear required—just bring your enthusiasm for a day of learning and adventure. For more information about Open House, visit vetmed.illinois.edu/openhouse/

Our Field Trip Details:

📅 Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
📍 Destination: University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine

🚌 Transportation Schedule:

8:00 AM – Bus departs from Shelby County Extension Office, Shelbyville
8:40 AM – Bus departs from Cross County Mall Rural King, Mattoon
9:10 AM – Bus departs from Kirby Foods Grocery Store, Tuscola

🎤 Event Schedule:

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Vet Med Open House in Groups
12:00 – 12:30 PM – Meet together to have lunch - bring a sack lunch / drink with you
12:30 – 2:30 PM – Continue Vet Med Open House in Groups

🚌 Drop-Off Schedule:

3:15 PM – Drop-off at Kirby Foods, Tuscola
4:15 PM – Drop-off at Shelby County 4-H Center
5:00 PM – Drop-off at Cross County Mall Rural King, Mattoon

✅ Registration Details:

Deadline: Monday, September 28, 2026
Cost: FREE
Parent Attendance: Parents/guardians are welcome to attend if it would make their child more comfortable. Please indicate on the registration form if a parent/guardian will be joining.
If you have a 5, 6, or 7 year old attending, a parent MUST be in attendance - please indicate on registration form who is attending with the child
All County 4-H Coordinators will be supervising the field trip. You can reach out to your County 4-H Coordinator if you have any questions!
- Rachel Stenger - Moultrie-Douglas Counties: rstenger@illinois.edu
- Yolanda Nation - Shelby County: nation2@illinois.edu
- Macey Maxey - Coles County: mvmaxey@illinois.edu
- Melaina McMechan - Cumberland County: melainak@illinois.edu

🧥 Preparation Tips:

Wear tennis shoes - We’ll be doing a lot of walking
Stay Hydrated: Bring a refillable water bottle or cash to grab a drink if needed. We will have a cooler of bottled water on the bus.
Bring a sack lunch!

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Optional: This will automatically fill in your contact details for a faster registration.

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Street Address 2

City

State

ZIP

Daytime Phone

Evening Phone

E-mail Address

First & Last Name of Youth Attending:

Grade of youth participating (please put pre-k, kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, ect):

Will your child need a parent/ guardian to go with them?

Yes, we plan to have a parent / guardian with the child - the child is 5, 6, or 7 years old and requires a parent.

Yes, my child is 8 years old or older, but it will be better to have a parent with them and we plan on having a parent attend.

No, my child is 8 years old, or older, and will be attending without a parent / guardian.

If parent/s are attending with child, please list name of parent/s (if parent is not attending/leave blank):

What county are you attending from/representing?

Coles

Cumberland

Moultrie-Douglas

Shelby

Which location will you be picked up / dropped off at? We have a school bus transporting us!

Shelby County Extension Office / bus leaving by 8am / returning by 4:15pm

Mattoon Cross County Mall Rural King Parking Lot / bus leaving by 8:40am / returning by 5pm

Tuscola Kirby Foods Grocery Store Parking Lot / bus leaving by 9:10 / returning by 3:15pm

We will be driving up / returning in our own vehicle / meet us at the Basic Sciences Building at 2001 S. Lincoln Ave. (where free parking is available) by 9:45am

Is it ok for your child's picture to be posted in 4-H promotional efforts post event?

Yes

Where do you live? (for post workshop reporting purposes)

Farm

Rural / Small Town Under 10,000

Does the participant need any accommodations to attend? (please indicate yes / no - if yes, provide details of needs)

Civil Rights Compliance - Participant Info

As part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities in our programming, University of Illinois Extension is required to collect and report overall statistics about the race, ethnicity, and gender of program participants. Your responses are voluntary and appreciated.

Gender

Ethnicity

Race

Illinois Extension

Registration

101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)

1301 W. Gregory Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

Phone: 217-333-5900