Local 4-H offers 'Passport to the World' with annual International Nights

This April, explore multiple countries without ever leaving the suburbs with 4-H International Nights in Wheaton and Yorkville. Visitors can discover the geography, cultures, traditions, and foods of many nations, just miles from home.

"International Night is a rewarding experience for both 4-H youth and our communities," said Deanna Roby-Vorgias, director of University of Illinois Extension of DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties. "Through the 4-H Passport to the World project, youth not only learn about another country and its cultures, but they also learn about being a good global citizen and gain valuable life skills in presenting their research to the community."

4-H members spend weeks studying a specific country and then work together with their club to create a booth displaying many aspects of the nation.

During the events, visitors will "travel" to the different countries by stopping at the 4-H club booths and earning stamps for a passport each time they answer a trivia question correctly for a country.

"Fun, hands-on activities like this event nurture a passion for learning, encourage cultural awareness, and help youth better understand the world around them," Roby said. "This is just one of example of how 4-H opportunities help youth build life skills for now and the future."

• DuPage County 4-H International Night will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 15 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Enter from Manchester Road, and look for the main Expo Building. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with food service beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Countries featured include Chile, China, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, Poland, and South Korea. For questions, contact 4-H Program Coordinator Nancy Reppe at nslep2@illinois.edu or (630) 955-1123, ext. 18.

• Kendall County 4-H International Night will be 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 16, at the Kendall County Fairgrounds, 10826 Route 71, Yorkville. Doors open at 3 p.m. Countries featured include Australia, Egypt, Greece, Jamaica, Japan, Netherlands, Philippines, Sweden, and Thailand. For questions, contact 4-H Program Coordinator Kim Eisnaugle at keisnaug@illinois.edu or (630) 553-5823.

For both events, all ages are welcome to attend. A suggested donation for admission is $1 per person for ages 6 and older. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the local event organizer. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

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

Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. Independent research confirms the impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.