4-H to host annual International Nights in St. Charles, Wheaton
Would you like to explore multiple countries without ever leaving Illinois? At the annual 4-H International Nights in St. Charles and Wheaton, visitors can discover the geography, culture and food of many nations, all while staying close to home.
"International Night is a rewarding experience for both 4-H youth and our communities," said Deanna Roby, University of Illinois Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development. "Through the 4-H Passport to the World project, youth not only learn about another country and its cultures, but they gain skills in presenting that information both visually and verbally to the community."
4-H Community Clubs of DuPage and Kane Counties spend months studying a specific country and then create a booth displaying the geographical and cultural aspects of the nation.
All prepare craft stations or foods to reflect their study country, and in the DuPage County event, some even perform a skit or song.
On Friday, Feb. 17 in St. Charles and on Friday, Feb. 24 in Wheaton, visitors will "travel" to the different countries by visiting the 4-H club booths, earning punches on a passport each time they answer a trivia question correctly for a country.
This year's events feature a wide array of countries, representing multiple continents.
• Kane County 4-H'ers will present Australia, France, Latvia, Italy and Scotland in St. Charles.
• DuPage County 4-H'ers will present Brazil, China, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Finland, Germany, Haiti, Italy, Japan, North Korea/South Korea, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and even the U.S.A.
"Fun, hands-on activities like these nurture a passion for learning, as well as encourage youth to become good local and global citizens," Roby said. "International Night is just one of several 4-H opportunities that help youth raise awareness and understand the world around them."
The Kane County 4-H event will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at the Prairie Events Center on the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road in St. Charles.
The DuPage County 4-H event will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road in Wheaton. Guests can enter from Manchester Road, with the event in Building 1.
All ages welcome to attend.
At each event, a suggested donation for admission is $1 per person.
If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate, contact the office at (630) 584-6166 two weeks prior to the event.
For more about University of Illinois Extension programs in your county, visit web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/.
University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs and research-based information to help Illinois residents improve their quality of life, develop skills and solve problems.