Minors by Category
Monday through Thursday afternoon classes are called Minors; a chance to do something different each day with different students about topics that interest you.
When registering you will choose ten (10) Minors, ranked in order of preference. Consider your top choices before beginning the registration process.
Participants will be placed in classes with students of similar ages. Age limits may be adapted as enrollment progresses. Class sizes are limited in space and fill quickly. We encourage early registration.
Jump to: Art | Culture | Nature | Performance | Science | Survival Skills
Art
Ages 7+ (Will be assigned with kids of similar ages)
Unleash your creativity in this fun and artistic class exploring the world of body art! Campers will have the chance to try either henna or face painting, with options tailored to their age group. You'll learn simple designs, from swirling patterns to playful motifs, while discovering tips for applying them with ease. This hands-on session encourages self-expression and lets your imagination run wild. By the end of class, you'll walk away with your own unique creation or the skills to share your art with others!
Ages 7+ (Will be assigned with kids of similar ages)
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!
Ages 7-10
Julia Schwass
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!
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!
Ages 7+ (Will be assigned with kids of similar ages)
In this fun and creative class, kids will design and paint their own custom fabric bandanas! Using techniques like stenciling, freehand drawing, and sponge painting, they’ll create colorful, unique designs on the fabric. After sketching their ideas, they’ll bring their designs to life with vibrant fabric paints. The finished bandanas make great wearable accessories or gifts, and kids will love showing off their creative creations! Perfect for young artists who enjoy expressing themselves through art.
Ages 7-10
Leigh Klein
Students will create stamps using cardboard and styrofoam stickers. Then using their stamps will print on fabric to make patterns. They will learn about artists and cultures who use this type of printmaking. The ultimate goal being to create and have fun!
Ages 7+ (Will be assigned with kids of similar ages)
This class will be a shorter version of the Major class, we will work from both dry and wet natural history specimens preserved 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+
Jump to: Art | Culture | Nature | Performance | Science | Survival Skills
Culture
Ages 7+ (Will be assigned with kids of similar ages)
Unleash your creativity in this fun and artistic class exploring the world of body art! Campers will have the chance to try either henna or face painting, with options tailored to their age group. You'll learn simple designs, from swirling patterns to playful motifs, while discovering tips for applying them with ease. This hands-on session encourages self-expression and lets your imagination run wild. By the end of class, you'll walk away with your own unique creation or the skills to share your art with others!
Ages 7-10
Julia Schwass
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!
Ages 7-10
Leigh Klein
Students will create stamps using cardboard and styrofoam stickers. Then using their stamps will print on fabric to make patterns. They will learn about artists and cultures who use this type of printmaking. The ultimate goal being to create and have fun!
Ages 7-10
Shelley Fritz
We will use drums and hand percussion instruments from around the world to learn fun rhythm games and introductory drum techniques. We will create a drum circle that puts together the things we learn.
Jump to: Art | Culture | Nature | Performance | Science | Survival Skills
Nature
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.
Ages 8+ (Will be assigned with kids of similar ages)
Mark DuBois and Na’im Salahuddin
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
Ages 7+ (Will be assigned with students of similar ages)
Dr. Katy Everett & Janie Backs
Students will move, breathe, connect and create together in the forest and prairie. We will mindfully move through postures, games and crafts with an awareness of our breath. Students will practice fun yoga shapes and stretches, name and feel emotions, connect with the forest around them, learn breathing techniques for focus and relaxation, create collages with forest items around them, and build body awareness. Through this course, kiddos of any age will gain a more profound sense of self-awareness, social awareness, decision making, relationship skill, and the ability to recognize and manage emotions.
Ages 7-11
You will learn how the monarch transforms through its various stages. Using photos and (hopefully) real live caterpillars, butterflies and everything in between – you will see examples of all evolutions as they grow from a tiny egg to a beautiful butterfly. You’ll learn so many things like: - how to Identify milkweed plants (the ONLY things monarchs eat as caterpillars) – how to find and identify the eggs and tiny caterpillars – how to tell male from female butterflies – and why their tongue is a long curly straw. You will also learn how to draw them, which will reinforce and help you remember everything you learn about these amazing creatures.
Ages 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.
Ages 7+ (Will be assigned with kids of similar ages)
This class will be a shorter version of the Major class, we will work from both dry and wet natural history specimens preserved 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+
Ages 7+ (Will be assigned with students of similar ages)
Dr. Travis Wilcoxen
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+
Jump to: Art | Culture | Nature | Performance | Science | Survival Skills
Performance
Ages 7-10
Shelley Fritz
We will use drums and hand percussion instruments from around the world to learn fun rhythm games and introductory drum techniques. We will create a drum circle that puts together the things we learn.
Ages 10+
Students will spend the afternoon learning the basic skills of IMPROV! From creating strong characters to telling short stories, we will have fun doing exercises and playing games to help become strong improvisational performers.
Jump to: Art | Culture | Nature | Performance | Science | Survival Skills
Science
Ages 8+ (Will be assigned with kids of similar ages)
Mark DuBois and Na’im Salahuddin
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
Ages 7+ (Will be assigned with kids of similar ages)
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.
Ages 7-11
You will learn how the monarch transforms through its various stages. Using photos and (hopefully) real live caterpillars, butterflies and everything in between – you will see examples of all evolutions as they grow from a tiny egg to a beautiful butterfly. You’ll learn so many things like: - how to Identify milkweed plants (the ONLY things monarchs eat as caterpillars) – how to find and identify the eggs and tiny caterpillars – how to tell male from female butterflies – and why their tongue is a long curly straw. You will also learn how to draw them, which will reinforce and help you remember everything you learn about these amazing creatures.
Ages 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.
Ages 7+ (Will be assigned with students of similar ages)
Dr. Travis Wilcoxen
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+
Jump to: Art | Culture | Nature | Performance | Science | Survival Skills
Survival Skills
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.
Jump to: Art | Culture | Nature | Performance | Science | Survival Skills