Kane County 4-H Fun night welcomes interested families

Submitted by Kane County 4-H

Kane County 4-H will host its annual 4-H Fun Night Thursday, Oct. 11, to celebrate National 4-H Week and the start of a new 4-H year.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 11, join local 4-H Clubs for games and activities at the Kane County Fairgrounds Prairie Events Center in St. Charles.

This year, 4-H Club stations will feature an obstacle course, bean bag toss, sensory box, photo booth and more.

The event also provides an excellent chance for interested families, and individuals seeking volunteer opportunities, to learn about the 4-H program.

"Come have fun and experience a little of what 4-H has to offer here in Kane County," said 4-H Program Coordinator Doris Braddock. "Our Fun Night event will include several clubs from around the county, and visitors can meet youth and current volunteers, as well as ask questions about 4-H."

National 4-H Week is Oct. 7 to 13 this year. 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 aged 8 to 18, and the Cloverbud program is geared for ages 5 to 7.

"4-H Youth Development programs provide hands-on learning, and focus on building leadership, citizenship and life skills," said Braddock. "Through 4-H, youth can explore many areas of study, including culinary arts, visual arts, horticulture, technology, science and more than 100 others."

4-H youth development programs provide opportunities for youth to feel a sense of belonging, develop independence, practice generosity, and experience mastery. A 2018 survey of local 4-H members found that as a result of their 4-H experience:

• 94 percent report having a plan for reaching their goals

• 95 percent say they learned things to make a difference in their community

• 96 percent say they can listen well to others

• 97 percent say they are willing to consider ideas of others, even if they are not the same

• 97 percent feel comfortable making their own decisions

• 95 percent say they can explain their decisions to others

• 98 percent feel they have talents to share with others

• 85 percent feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions with others

• 96 percent say they can resolve differences with others in positive ways

• 84 percent have gained leadership responsibilities

• 83 percent say they are confident speaking in front of others

• 95 percent feel connected to a caring adult who is not their parent

The Kane County 4-H Fun Night event will be conducted at the Prairie Events Center on the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any program, call the office at (630) 584-6166.

To learn more about 4-H in your county, visit go.illinois.edu/info4Hdkk.