College for Kids
Summer 2025 Enrichment Classes
College for Kids provides fun, informative classes to students entering 3rd through 8th grades.
Renewable Energy and the Power Protectors STEM Challenge
Get ready for an epic engineering challenge. Design and build a renewable energy
power source, explore solar, wind and hydro power, learn about the energy people use
on a daily basis and the importance of using energy wisely. Join the Power Protectors
and discover “Watts” up, design a superhero hideout and engage in the Energy Island
Adventure board game. Supplies are included. (Ages 8-12)
Cost: $35
Instructor: Martha Ebbesmeyer, U of I Extension
Growing in the Greenhouse
Join us for fun growing plants and learning in the Sauk Valley Community College
Greenhouse Learning Lab. We will explore the world of plants and how they grow in
containers and through hydroponic systems. During the four sessions, we will learn
how to propagate plants and use those techniques to create plants that participants
will take home with them. Students are recommended to bring a box or canvas bag to
take home their project. Supplies are included. (Ages 9-13)
Cost: $25
SVCC Greenhouse | Instructor: Bruce Black, U of I Extension
DIY Bottle Terrarium
Explore the enclosed world of bottle terrariums, self-contained plant environments
within glass. Learn about terrariums, their needs and how to create a bottle version
of a terrarium to take home with you. If you would like to turn a specific bottle
into a terrarium, please bring it, otherwise one will be provided. Supplies are included. Students are recommended to bring a box or canvas bag to take home their project.
(Ages 9-13)
Cost: $30
SVCC Greenhouse | Instructor: Bruce Black, U of I Extension
Pokémon® Masters: Designers & 3D Makers Unite!
Calling all PokeMasters who want to be the designers of the future! Use your Pokémon imagination and bring your ideas to life. Begin by creating your own digital Pokémon-style custom-playing card game. Progress onto designing action figures, jewelry, and toys in professional-level modeling software. Learn how to prepare a model for 3D printing and create a design portfolio to showcase your work! No prior experience is necessary and 3D designs will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. (Ages 8-10) Cost: $129
Pokémon® Masters: Designers & 3D Makers Unite!
Calling all PokeMasters who want to be the designers of the future! Use your Pokémon imagination and bring your ideas to life. Begin by creating your own digital Pokémon-style custom-playing card game. Progress onto designing action figures, jewelry, and toys in professional-level modeling software. Learn how to prepare a model for 3D printing and create a design portfolio to showcase your work! No prior experience is necessary and 3D designs will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. (Ages 11-14) Cost: $129
ROBLOX® Makers
Unlock the power of ROBLOX® Studio, the world creation tool used by real-world
ROBLOX® developers! Learn how to build 3D models and create an adventure in your ROBLOX®
world. Bring characters to life with unique animations you design. Student-created
projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with
friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
(Ages 8-10)
Cost: $129
ROBLOX® Makers
Unlock the power of ROBLOX® Studio, the world creation tool used by real-world
ROBLOX® developers! Learn how to build 3D models and create an adventure in your ROBLOX®
world. Bring characters to life with unique animations you design. Student-created
projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with
friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.
(Ages 11-14)
Cost: $129
YouTube® Content Creators
Find your voice and leave your mark on the world! Whether you are six or sixteen,
it’s time to start a career as the next YouTube star. Explore the variety of content
and personalities that exist on YouTube and how to find your own niche. Learn the
Dos and Don’ts of the platform and how to practice good digital citizenship. Develop
your on-camera presence, your own channel branding, and professional editing skills.
Take home a plan for launching your own channel with the content created in class!
Student projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to
share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the
program. (Ages 8-10)
Cost: $139
YouTube® Content Creators
Find your voice and leave your mark on the world! Whether you are six or sixteen,
it’s time to start a career as the next YouTube star. Explore the variety of content
and personalities that exist on YouTube and how to find your own niche. Learn the
Dos and Don’ts of the platform and how to practice good digital citizenship. Develop
your on-camera presence, your own channel branding, and professional editing skills.
Take home a plan for launching your own channel with the content created in class!
Student projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to
share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the
program. (Ages 11-14)
Cost: $139
Minecraft Modders
Customize your own Minecraft world and mod the classic game in this one-of-a-kind
class. Learn scripting and logic statements as you create your first mods. Students
will create a wide variety of new elements, gameplay mechanics, and world-generating
mods to change the way you play Minecraft. Projects will be available on a password-protected
Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students must have the Java
version of Minecraft to take this class. Tablet, phone, and game console versions
of Minecraft are not compatible. Returning students can create more advanced projects
that build on previous years. (Ages 8-10)
Cost: $139
Minecraft Modders
Customize your own Minecraft world and mod the classic game in this one-of-a-kind
class. Learn scripting and logic statements as you create your first mods. Students
will create a wide variety of new elements, gameplay mechanics, and world-generating
mods to change the way you play Minecraft. Projects will be available on a password-protected
Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students must have the Java
version of Minecraft to take this class. Tablet, phone, and game console versions
of Minecraft are not compatible. Returning students can create more advanced projects
that build on previous years. (Ages 11-14)
Cost: $139
Creative Chaos Crew
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the messiest, most magical art
adventures ever! In this wildly fun and hands-on class, young artists will explore
a new messy masterpiece each day; think shaving cream painting, bubble prints, cotton
ball clouds, toilet paper mâché, and even giant cardboard box creations! From chalk-and-water
murals to egg carton flowers, every project is designed to spark creativity, encourage
exploration, and embrace the joy of getting messy. Dress for the mess and bring your
imagination because in this class, the messier, the better! (Ages 8-13)
Cost: $50
Instructor: Rebecca Vaughan
Yoga & Movement for Kids
Stretch, move, and play your way to a strong, balanced body! This fun and engaging
class introduces kids to the basics of yoga, helping them build flexibility, strength,
and physical awareness through creative movement and collaborative games. Along the
way, students will explore stretching techniques, body alignment, and how to feel
confident and grounded in their own space. It’s the perfect blend of calm focus and
playful energy—no yoga experience needed! Students need to bring an exercise mat or
beach towel. (Ages 8-13)
Cost: $50
Instructor: Butch Merigoni
Mix-It-Up Art Lab
Get ready to dive into a colorful world of creativity! In this fun and exploratory
art class, young artists will experiment with drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture
to create imaginative mixed media masterpieces. This process-over-product studio is
all about trying new things, making bold choices, and discovering your own unique
artistic voice. This class is a space to dream big, get messy, and bring your fantastic
ideas to life! (Ages 8-13)
Cost: $80
Instructor: Butch Merigoni
Charcuterie Bouquet
Get ready to play with your food in the most beautiful way possible! In this fun
and hands-on class, kids will learn how to turn snacks into stunning edible bouquets.
Using kid-friendly ingredients like cheeses, fruits, veggies, crackers, and meats,
young chefs will create colorful arrangements that are almost too pretty to eat (but
totally delicious). No cooking experience needed. Supplies are included. (Ages 8-12)
Cost: $35
Instructor: Jennie Janssen
Scholarships available - contact Brenda Helms at brenda.helms@svcc.edu for more information.
Black Rocket Classes - Online
Meet our partner
Black Rocket Black Rocket provides unique enrichment and educational programs in partnership with schools across the country. Distinctive camps in the creative sciences, gaming and digital arts focus on the intersection of creativity and technology. Each camp emphasizes self-empowerment, cognitive reasoning, teamwork and divergent thinking through hands-on learning.
Please click here to register for Black Rocket classes.
College for Kids Instructors wanted at Sauk Valley Community College. Share your knowledge and enrich lives virtually or on campus.
Contact
Brenda Helms
Director of Business Training and Community Education
815-835-6212
brenda.helms@svcc.edu