Majors: By Category | Alphabetically
Minors: By Category | Alphabetically
CLASS FULL
Ages 10+
Kids race through challenges in teams of two—challenges include the monkey bridge, zip line, alligator pit, jungle swing and mud mountain—and trying to beat their own best time. Students will get very dirty and must wear secure closed toed shoes.
Read MoreCLASS FULL
Ages 8+
Come and see why clay has been an honored art form for thousands of years! Students will have time for both group projects as well as free expression time. We will use special clay that will allow you to take your masterpieces home the same day you create them! Bring a box to transport your treasures!
Read MoreCLASS FULL
Ages 7+
You’ll find out what reptiles and amphibians live on the Sun Foundation property. You will be able to see and touch many of the animals. You’ll find out what they eat and where you might find them. This is an introduction to herpetology. If weather permits, we’ll head to a pond to see some animals in their natural environment. Please wear appropriate clothes.
Read MoreCLASS FULL
Ages 7-10
In this playful and creative class, younger crafters will learn the simple art of finger knitting. This is a fun, hands-on way to create colorful yarn projects using just their fingers! Perfect for beginners, this class introduces children to the basics of knitting without the need for needles. Through easy to follow steps, they’ll discover how to make long, stretchy chains of yarn that can be turned into bracelets, necklaces, keychains or even scarves. Along the way, kids will develop fine motor skills, enhance their hand-eye coordination, and spark their imaginations with endless possibilities for customization. With a focus on creativity, fun and a relaxed pace, this class encourages young learners to explore the joy of crafting while using recycled materials, helping them appreciate accomplishment, a beautiful handmade creation, and a love for the art of finger knitting!
Read MoreDan Fitzpatrick
Ages 11+
Learn fire starting methods and coal and ember transfer. Touch on cooking and enjoy a ceremonial fire.
Read MoreCLASS FULL
Ages 7 - 12
Joins us and special guest Brian “Fox” Ellis as we spend the afternoon fishing and learn some stories with Agassiz!
Read MoreCLASS FULL
Ages 8+
Spend the afternoon hiking in the creek bed to see what rock and fossil treasures you’ll find.
Read MoreAges 8+
Utilizing a discovery and inquiry-based approach to learning, this class reintroduces insects to students in a whole new light, inviting students to broaden and expand their perspective and understanding of these creatures, and build creative and critical thinking skills. We will examine many different habitats at the Sun Foundation to learn about the insects found in each.
Read MoreAges 7+
Rocketeers will assemble and launch rockets from ready-made kits. They will learn how careful assembly procedures and safety practices lead to successful rocket flights.
Read MoreCLASS FULL
Ages 10+
In this fun and engaging class, young learners will discover the exciting world of knitting! Perfect for beginners, this class introduces children to the basics of knitting, where they’ll learn to cast on, knit, and bind off using soft, colorful yarn and needles. Through hands-on instruction, they’ll create their very own small practice swatch, as well as receive instructions for other small projects such as cozy scarves, simple fingerless gloves, or playful patterns. As they learn, kids will develop important skills like patience, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor control, all while building confidence in their ability to create something beautiful from scratch. With a focus on creativity and fun, this class encourages children to explore their imagination and experience the satisfaction of making something by hand. By the end of the class, kids will leave with new knitting skills, a completed learning swatch, their own yarn and needles to keep, and a newfound love for the art of knitting—perfect for sparking their crafting journey!
Read MoreAges 7-11
In this class, you will learn all about the metamorphosis of the monarch from tiny egg to butterfly and what makes them so amazing. We will take a short hike where you will learn to identify the host plant (milkweed) and look for eggs and caterpillars. If we find caterpillars we will bring them back to our tent and put them into an enclosure with their favorite leaves. Over the week, you’ll be able to come back and check on them to see how quickly they grow. After our hunting excursion, Connie will show you how to make a hanging monarch butterfly of your own to take home.
Read MoreCLASS FULL
Ages 7-12
Join us for fun traditional Native American songs and games. Learn about echolocation during Bat & Moth, and a Native American song to call in deer efore we play Deer and Hunter, and many more fun nature based games!
Read MoreCLASS FULL
Ages 7-11
Discover the wild with Nature Ninjas! Spend the afternoon in the woods connecting with nature through activities in awareness, camouflage, stalking, and fun survival skill activities for younger campers. It’s an adventurous way to build skills and connect with nature.
Read MoreAges 8+
This class will be a fun-sized version of the proposed major class. Students will explore one of camp's habitats (prairie, creek, forest, etc) learning about the biology of the living things we encounter in the environment and then do creative writing prompts that use observation of the natural world as inspiration for poetry, a story, or more personal reflection. Plan to hike, examine, reflect, and have a great time!
Read MoreAges 7+
A few hundred years ago, Illinois was covered mostly in expansive grassland habitats known as prairies. In this class, we’ll immerse ourselves in the Sun Foundation’s prairie and explore it’s science through hiking, activities and an animal encounter or two.
Read MoreAges 13+
A few hundred years ago, Illinois was covered mostly in expansive grassland habitats known as prairies. In this class, we’ll immerse ourselves in the Sun Foundation’s prairie, and students will learn to identify prairie plants and create their own preserved plant specimens using a botanical press. (Be ready for a bit of hiking, and remember your sun protection!)
Read MoreAges 7 to Young adult - (students will be assigned different days according to their age groups.)
Positive body image begins with discussions and sharing. Using charcoal and pen, Elisa teaches the use of gestural line, body proportions, foreshortening and close observation. Students take turns at modeling, and watch their skills steadily grow. Laugher, and friendships follow.
Read MoreCLASS FULL
Ages 7+
This class will be a shorter version of the Major class, we will work from both dry and wet natural history specimens preserved wet in jars, such as frogs, fish, turtles, mud puppies, as well as dry, specimens, such as bones, skulls, dried plants, seeds, and marine collections such as starfish, shells and seahorses. In each session, we will begin with drawing, add watercolors to our drawings and the last hour will be working with self -hardening clay, making small sculptural forms inspired by our natural history collections. Ages 7+
Read MoreCLASS FULL
Ages 7+
Create splatter paintings like a master. This class requires no knowledge of painting or drawing - only a desire to make something awesome!
Read MoreCLASS FULL
Ages 7+
Many people are familiar with large fish that live in the Illinois River, but may not be as familiar with the many different kinds of small fish that make creeks and small streams their home. In this minor, we will use different types of nets and traps to survey sections of Crow Creek for small fish, such as shiners, darters and dace. Students will learn about the diet and behavior of each type of fish and how to identify them. Ages 7+
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