Enrichment
EASTERN ILLINOIS FOODBANK | FREE!
All Ages
Eastern Illinois Foodbank strives to increase access to healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, to those in situations of food insecurity. Produce Pop-Up was developed to bring fresh, regionally-sourced produce directly to underserved communities to help fill the widening gap caused by grocery inflation and rising transportation costs. EIF’s Produce Pop-Up will be distributing at Martens Center. Please call the Martens Center for times and dates
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
CARLE MOBILE CLINIC
All Ages
The Carle Mobile Health Clinic brings affordable, non-urgent medical services to neighborhoods near you. Our 40-foot, wheelchair-friendly mobile medical clinic offers infants, children and adults full-service medical care to make sure families stay healthy. Practitioners have experience in pediatrics, family medicine, and women’s health and pregnancy. Services provided include: chronic condition management and education, treatment of acute illness, physicals, wellness care and assessments, school and sports physicals and immunizations, lab testing, and referrals and applications for social services.
Date: Every 4th Monday of the month
Time: 9a – 4p
Location: Martens Center
Question: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
PROJECT READ AT PARKLAND COLLEGE
Families in Champaign-Urbana are invited to join Project READ’s FREE Parent Family Learning Lab (PFLL). The PFLL will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-7:30pm at Martens Center. For parents, the focus of the PFLL is to work with trained tutors to learn reading, math, or English language skills. For children, the focus of the PFLL is to work on literacy, wellness, and social-emotional skills (parents must be present for children to attend). The program also features parenting and family activities centered in literacy and the improvement of the parent-child relationship. Additionally, free books and library services are provided periodically through a partnership with the Champaign Public Library – Douglass Branch. A free meal is provided each night for all program participants.
No prior registration is required to attend the program; however, all interested participants must agree to complete an intake interview and pre-assessment. For questions, or to let us know you would like to attend, please contact Project READ at projectread@parkland.edu.
MINI HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS | FREE!
Drop-in for a fun time!
National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day Science Experiment
- Ages 5+
- Saturday, February 3 | 12-2p | Martens Center
- Kids of all ages get to make delicious ice cream.
Read Across America
- Ages 5+
- Saturday, March 2 | 12-3p | Martens Center
- Kids can read their own book or enjoy group readings at 12p, 1p, and 2p.
International Plant Appreciation Day
- Ages 5+
- Saturday, April 13 | 12-3p | Martens Center
- Make your own plant terrarium with us.
World Migratory Bird Day
- Ages 5+ with parent
- Saturday, May 11 | 12-3p | Martens Center
- Join us as we go birdwatching at Human Kinetics Park.
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
KIDS HOLIDAY COOKIE DECORATING
K-4th graders
The holidays are almost here! Join us for this fun, interactive holiday class. Each child will decorate freshly baked holiday cookies to take home. All supplies will be provided, as well as a cup of delicious hot cocoa.
Dates: December 9
Day: Saturday
Time: 1-2:15p
Fee (R/NR): $25/$37.50
Deadline: December 2
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
CARES4KIDS | NEW!
Ages 10+; participants under 18 must have a registered adult with them.
OSF HealthCare will be teaching children about improving mental health through exercise, healthy eating, and limiting time on electronic devices. The children can take part in an obstacle course and art activities, and are introduced to healthy drink options.
This is a great field trip opportunity for schools and home-schoolers.
- January 30 | Deadline: January 23
- February 27 | Deadline: February 20
- March 26 | Deadline: March 19
- April 23 | Deadline: April 16
Day: Tuesday
Fee (R/NR):Free, registration is required.
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
SEED PLANTING AND POT PAINTING | NEW!
Ages vary
Discover a new love of gardening or pick up an old hobby for the spring 2024 planting season by joining OSF for a basic gardening 101 class and seed planting event. Participants will plant various vegetable seeds in pots to take home for personal gardening and will learn how to care for simple garden plants that will provide a bounty of vegetables to use for cooking and snacking at home.
Ages | Date | Day | Time
Seniors | April 2 | Tu | 10-11:30a
Family/Kids | April 4 | Th | 4-5:30p
Deadline: March 27
Fee (R/NR):Free, registration is required.
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
S.T.E.A.M. Programs
ROCKET LAUNCHES
All Ages
The Central Illinois Aerospace Model Rocket Club schedules launches twice a month, generally on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Most of these are held at Dodds Park, through occasionally we will fly at other locations. If you have a model rocket, bring it and fly with us or just come out to watch. For further information call 217-359-8225 or go to www.ciarocketry.org.
Location: Dodds Park
Questions: sean.hurst@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3901
C.U.A.S. FAMILY SKYWATCH
Ages 5+
Join members of the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society, Inc. on select Saturdays for an evening under the stars. See the stars and planets through the largest public telescope in East Central Illinois. All skywatch sessions are cancelled in the event of cloudy weather (visit cuas.org.).No registration required.
- March 16
- April 13
- May 11
Time: Sunset
Location: CUAS Observatory, 926 County Road 700E, Champaign
Questions: sean.hurst@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3901
MONTHLY LEGO CLUB
1st-3rd & 4th-6th graders
Do you enjoy creating, building, and imagining with LEGO? Learn engineering and design skills through guided hands-on exploration. Create animals, buildings, simple machines, transportation, and build your own LEGO creations.
- January 10
- January 24
- February 14
- February 28
- March 13
- March 27
- April 10
- April 24
- May 8
- May 22
Day: Wednesday
Time: 5-6p
Location: Martens Center
Fee (R/NR): $30/$45
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
FULL S.T.EA.M. AHEAD
3rd – 7th Graders
Science. Technology. Engineering. Art. Mathematics. This is what makes up STEAM. Various science organizations from UIUC, in partnership with X-Time, are excited to introduce you to the wonderful world of STEAM and all that it entails. This is NOT a drop off event.
- December 7 | Deadline: November 30
- December 21 | Deadline: December 14
- January 4 | Deadline: December 28
- January 18 | Deadline: January 11
- February 1 | Deadline: January 25
- February 15 | Deadline: February 8
- March 7 | Deadline: February 29
- March 21 | Deadline: March 14
- April 4 | Deadline: March 28
- April 18 | Deadline: April 11
Day: Thursday
Time: 4:30-6p (5-6p after December 21)
Fee (R/NR): $5/$7.50
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
CENA Y CIENCIAS: SERVING UP SCIENCE ONE MEAL AT A TIME
Families with children ages Kindergarten – 5th grade
Grab your family and come learn about different sciences. This program is suitable for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Cena y Ciencias is a collaborative scientific outreach program in the bilingual community. Enjoy a free meal afterward. Everyone is welcome, but please note that this program is spoken completely in Spanish and is NOT a drop-off event.
Dates: December 4
Day: Monday
Time: 5-7p
Fee (R/NR): FREE
Location: Martens Center
HOW STUFF WORKS | NEW!
3rd-6th graders
Have you ever wondered how an airplane flies or how sounds travel to your ear? Learn, discover, and expand you knowledge of the world around you as we focus on the science behind common everyday things. This is a drop off event.
- December 4 | Deadline: November 27
- December 11 | Deadline: December 4
- December 18 | Deadline: December 11
Day: Monday
Time: 5-6p
Fee (R/NR): $15/$22.50
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
HEALTH CHAMPIONS | NEW!
Ages 7-14
Kids will learn about heart health, how to eat healthy, and why it’s important to be active. This is a drop off event.
Date | Topic | Deadline
- November 28 | Clean Eating | November 21
- December 5 | Put technology away and get out and play! | November 28
Day: Tuesday
Time: 5-6p
Fee (R/NR): $10/$15
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
HABITATS OF ILLINOIS | NEW!
Ages 5+
Learn about what makes a habitat, what types can be found in Illinois, and why conserving them is important for wildlife. We may even go outside to explore a local habitat! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Both adult and child must be registered.
Date: December 14
Day: Thursday
Time: 5:30-6:30p
Fee (R/NR): $5/$7.50
Location: Martens Center
Deadline: December 9
Instructor: Jennifer Wick
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
PLANET SUPERHEROES | NEW!
Ages 7-14
Be a planet superhero! Kids will learn to live a life that keeps our planet clean. This is a drop off event.
Date | Topic | Deadline
- December 19 | Recycling | December 12
- January 2 | Composting | December 26
- January 16 | Reduce and Reuse | January 9
Day: Tuesday
Time: 5-6p
Fee (R/NR): $10/$15
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
SCIENCE JR.
Ages 4+
Join us as we explore cool science topics by reading a storybook and doing hands-on (and a tad bit messy) experimentation. Each class we will explore a different topic.
- January 2 | Deadline: December 26
- January 9 | Deadline: January 2
- January 23 | Deadline: January 16
- January 30 | Deadline: January 23
- February 6 | Deadline: January 30
- February 13 | Deadline: February 6
- February 20 | Deadline: February 13
- February 27 | Deadline: February 20
- March 5 | Deadline: February 27
- March 12 | Deadline: March 5
- March 19 | Deadline: March 12
Day: Tuesday
Time: 5-6p
Fee (R/NR): $5/$7.50
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
OPEN LEGO WORKSHOP | NEW!
All Ages
Come create and build with LEGOS creating whatever sparks your imagination! Open to people of all ages to build at your own pace. This is a great opportunity for families to work on a group LEGO project together, or your own project. This a standing open drop-in workshop.
- January 3
- January 17
- February 7
- February 21
- March 6
- March 20
- April 3
- April 17
- May 1
- May 15
Day: Wednesday
Time: 1-2p
Fee (R/NR): $5/$7.50 per workshop
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
WHAT’S UP WITH ILLINOIS!
Ages 5+
Join us as we learn something new about Illinois with the Champaign Country Forest Preserve District’s Museum and Education Department. Each session will focus on a different topic related to Illinois and will include engaging hands-on activities and more!
- All About Owls
- January 25
- Deadline: January 20
- Happy Birthday President Lincoln
- February 8
- Deadline: February 3
- Irish Illinois
- March 14
- Deadline: March 9
- Boinks, Peeps, and Twangs: Frogs and Toads of Illinois
- April 25
- Deadline: April 20
Day: Thursday
Time: 5:30-6:30p
Fee (R/NR): $5/$7.50 per session
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
3D PRINTING CLUB | NEW!
Ages 7-15
Watch your imagination come to life with 3D printing! During this club you will learn how a 3D printer works, and design, create, and print your own 3D masterpieces! Each month we will work on a new project.
- February 6
- February 20
- March 5
- March 19
- April 2
- April 16
- May 7
- May 21
Day: Tuesday
Time: 6:30-7:30p
Fee (R/NR): $10/$15
Deadline: January 30
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
EXPLORE UIUC SCIENCE | FREE!
Ages 6+
Kids will get hands-on experience learning about new research coming from some of UIUC’s biggest science research institutions and centers including Beckman, Cancer Center, Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE), National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), and Center for Social and Behavioral Sciences (CSBS). Come in and learn about the exciting new things being discovered on campus!
- February 7 | Deadline: January 31
- February 14 | Deadline: February 7
- February 21 | Deadline: February 14
- February 28 | Deadline: February 21
- March 6 | Deadline: February 28
- March 13 | Deadline: March 6
- March 20 | Deadline: March 13
- March 27 | Deadline: March 20
- April 3 | Deadline: March 27
- April 10 | Deadline: April 3
- April 17 | Deadline: April 10
- April 24 | Deadline: April 17
Day: Wednesday
Time: 12-1p
Fee (R/NR): FREE, but registration is required
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
INTRO TO 3D PRINTING | NEW!
All Ages
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to use a 3D printer, now is your chance! Sign up for any one-day session and learn how to design, create, and print simple 3D creations.
- February 13 | Deadline: February 6
- February 27 | Deadline: February 20
- March 12 | Deadline: March 5
- March 26 | Deadline: March 19
- April 9 | Deadline: April 2
- April 23 | Deadline: April 15
Day: Tuesday
Time: 6:30-7:30p
Fee (R/NR): $5/$7.50
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
PALEOART CLUB | NEW!
Ages 8 -16
Learn about paleontology by drawing dinosaurs learning along the way about anatomy, skeletal functions and understanding deep time periods. Kids will draw, sculpt, and 3D print these amazing extinct creatures.
- March 5
- April 2
- May 7
Day: Tuesday
Time: 4:30-5:30p
Fee (R/NR): $10/$15
Deadline: February 27
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
Food Programs
OSF PRESENTS FOOD AND YOUR HEALTH | NEW!
Ages 18+
DEVELOPING MINDFUL EATING HABITS
December 13 | Deadline: December 6
Expand your mind, not your waistline! If you want to put healthier eating habits on the menu, mindfulness techniques may help you! They are not about dieting or restrictions, they are about eating when you are truly hungry, slowing down, and savoring the flavor.
Day: Wednesday
Time: 11a-12p
Fee (R/NR): FREE, registration is required
Location: Martens Center
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3971
“COOL”INARY CLASS FOR TEENS
Ages 13-18
Date | Deadline
January 9 – February 27* | January 2
April 9 – May 21 | April 2
No Class: January 23
Day: Tuesday
Time: 4-5:30p
Fee (R/NR): FREE, registration is required
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
FUN WITH FOOD: ADULT FOOD AND NUTRITION CLASS
Ages 18+
Date | Deadline
January 11 – February 22 | January 4
April 11 – May 23 | April 4
Day: Thursday
Time: 5-6p
Fee (R/NR): FREE, registration is required
Location: Martens Center
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
Safety & Childcare Education
HEARTSAVER FIRST AID, CPR/AED CLASSES BY VITAL EDUCATION & SUPPLY
Ages 9+
This course covers topics ranging from heart attacks and strokes to animal bites and allergic reactions. Also covered is CPR for the adult, child and infant victim, and AED use. A CPR certification card will be given after successful completion of class. In order to receive a refund, cancellation requests must be submitted at least two days prior to the class date.
- December 16 | Deadline: December 8
- January 20 | Deadline: January 13
- February 17 | Deadline: February 10
- March 16 | Deadline: March 9
- April 20 | Deadline: April 13
Day: Saturday
Time: 9a-3p
Fee (R/NR): $78/$117
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: sean.hurst@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3901
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF BABYSITTING
Ages 11-15
Become the babysitter that kids will beg their parents to have! This class will teach you the basics and give you the confidence to successfully take on any babysitting job. You will be trained by certified staff on skills to become a safe, fun, and nurturing sitter. Our program features basic first aid, safety, age-appropriate games, and discipline techniques.
The Champaign Park District is an accredited program site through Safe Sitter®, the only national, nonprofit organization exclusively devoted to babysitting. You must attend all sessions in order to complete the course and to be certified by Safe Sitter®.
Date: February 25 – March 25*
No Class: March 11
Time: 4-5:30p
Fee (R/NR): $60/$90
Deadline: February 19
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: michelle.horvat@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2376
HANDS-ONLY CPR
Ages 10+; participants under 18 must have a registered adult with them
OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois has partnered with Illinois Heart Rescue to offer a free bystander, hands-only CPR and AED education program to local students and families. Bystander CPR has been proven to double, even tripled, the chances of survival of someone in cardiac arrest, This FREE presentation takes one class period and consists of a short video, discussion and training on bystander CPR and AED use.
- March 19 | Deadline: March 12
- April 18 | Deadline: April 11
Time: 5:30-7p
Fee (R/NR): FREE, registration is required.
Location: Martens Center
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3971
