JJC to Offer Summer Programs for Kids

This summer, Joliet Junior College’s Kids College is offering many fun and educational programs for children ages 3-17.

High school students have the opportunity to attend exploration days for future careers, a culinary arts camp, SAT/ACT test prep and learn about 3-D printing. Elementary and middle school students can gain knowledge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs, arts, learn the Spanish language, and more. 

High School Programs

On Tuesday, June 11, high school students can get hands-on experience at the Fire/EMS Career Exploration Day. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., students will explore JJC’s state-of-the-art facilities, meet with faculty and experience activities simulating actual career skills. Topics include wearing bunker gear, using fire tools, first aid, responding to mock emergency calls, and more. The cost is $20 to attend, which includes lunch and a t-shirt.

Also on Tuesday, June 11 is Nursing Exploration Day. From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., high school juniors and seniors can tour JJC’s state-of-the-art facilities, get feedback from current nursing students and experience activities simulating actual career skills. The cost is $20 to attend and includes lunch and a t-shirt. 

The Kids College is partnering with JJC’s nursing, health and public services departments to present both career exploration days.

Brenda Large, personal enrichment coordinator at JJC, organizes the Kids College programs. 

“Students really enjoy attending classes on a college campus and experiencing a variety of classroom settings. They have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art technology while being introduced to various career pathways,” said Large. 

Additionally, students 13-18 can participate in the 3-D Innovations Camp, which explores the world of 3-D printing. Students will be introduced to a simple 3-D printing software program, learn how to search for printable objects online and ultimately create their own project. This camp will take place in JJC’s MakerLab. There is no cost to participate in 3-D Innovations Camp, thanks to a grant from the Best Buy Foundation. Registration is required and can be done online.

The Culinary Camp for Teens is for high school students who want to learn how to prepare and present artful meals. It meets July 15-18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at JJC’s City Center Campus. Students will learn safe knife skills, how to roast, grill and braise meats as well as pastry techniques. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to receive world-class instruction from JJC's award-winning executive chefs: Certified Master Chef Tim Bucci & Executive Pastry Chef Andy Chlebana, who has won baking competitions on the Food Network. Cost is $299 and includes a chef coat. To register, visit www.jjc.edu/LLC or call 815-280-1555.

Middle School Programs

Sixth to eighth-grade students can take a three-day journey into the fascinating world of technology at Technology Camp. Instructors from the JJC Technical department will inspire young minds to explore the possibilities in the multifaceted field of technology. Hands-on experiences will include manufacturing, welding, automotive, 3-D printing, architecture, orthotics and prosthetics and more. 

At the Girls Leading the Charge camp, sixth through eighth-grade students will be part of an engineering team that will design and build a variety of solar powered models. This STEM-focused challenge will introduce students to concepts in solar/photovoltaic (PV) cells, gear drive and pulley drive systems, along with design and troubleshooting techniques used by engineers. Lunch will be provided. There is no cost to participate in this camp, thanks to an E2 Energy to Educate grant from Constellation, an Exelon Company. Registration is required and can be done online.

JJC offers many programs in the growing field of STEM for all ages.

“Many of our programs focus on STEM-related topics and provide unique experiences for students to apply and make connections to information they are learning in the classroom,” said Large. 

Kindergarten and Elementary School Programs

Technology educational opportunities are also available to young children. Code Explorers camp is a fun way for curious young minds to take the first steps into the world of programming. Student explorers will use their creativity to solve a series of web-based coding challenges.

If your child has a love of dinosaurs, they’ll enjoy building dinosaur replicas and experiencing an archaeological dig during the Dinosaur Discovery camp. 

“JJC has been providing enrichment opportunities for area youth in the community for generations. We have several students enrolled in our programs with parents who also participated in the program when they were children,” said Large. 

You can visit the Kids College website or call 815-280-1555 for additional program information or to register for any of the above programs.

For media inquiries, contact Communications and Media Coordinator Scott Harvey at 815-280-2844 or sharvey@jjc.edu.