Here is your guide to Summer Fun at the Martens Center!
S.T.E.A.M. Programs
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.
SPREAD YOUR WINGS IN THE WORLD OF BIRDS
Ages 6-11
Explore the world of birds and all their special characteristics. We will have live chicken eggs incubating in the classroom and on the last day students will watch them hatch. Participants will also have the same opportunity to see live birds. Parents are welcome to stay.
SPRING INTO GARDENING TOGETHER | NEW!
3rd-5th graders (in Fall 2023)
Learn all about plants and how they grow! Get hands on experience planting, maintaining, and growing plants in a garden, as well as learning about their special characteristics.
THE ART OF STEAM | NEW!
3rd-7th graders (in Fall 2023)
Science + Technology + Engineering + Art + Mathematics = Creativity! This essential component of innovation will help kids develop the critical thinking skills to think outside the box.
3D PRINTING: CONCEPTS TO KEYCHAIN CREATIONS | JUNE 3RD
2nd-5th graders (in Fall 2023)
Join us for a fun day of 3D printing! Children will learn how 3D printing works and also design and print their very own keychain! Keychains will be ready for pickup 1 week after the scheduled program.
3D PRINTING: BRING YOUR IMAGINATION TO LIFE | NEW!
5th – 8th graders (in Fall 2023)
Watch your imagination come to life with 3D printing! Learn how 3D printers work, and then design, create, and print your very own 3D masterpiece! Show off your creation at the last class!
MAD SCIENTIST CLUB | NEW!
1st – 3rd Graders (in Fall 2023)
Find your inner Mad Scientist as we have fun with 3 different science topics.
SCIENCE CLUB JR | NEW!
Ages 3-5 with parent
Join us as we explore cool science topics by reading a storybook and doing hands-on (and a tad bit messy) experimentation. Each class focuses on a different topic. This is NOT a drop-off program.
CURIOSITY FUELS THE IMAGINATION | JUNE 10TH
All Ages
The Curiosity Cube® is a retrofitted shipping container that has been transformed into a mobile science lab. Inside the Curiosity Cube® visitors of all ages experience hands-on science experiments. In 2023, the Curiosity Cube® experiments will focus on contamination. We can’t wait to teach students about the various forms of contamination around us and how we can all contribute to protecting the planet. Visit thecuriositycube.com to learn more.
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.
Date: June 28, July 26, August 23
Day: Wednesday
Deadline: June 26
4th-6th Grade
Date: June 14, July 12, August 9
Day: Wednesday
Deadline: June 12
Time: 4:30-5:30p
Location: Martens Center
Fee (R/NR): $30/$45
Questions: katherine.hicks@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3973
NATIONAL URBAN BEEKEEPING DAY | JULY 19TH
3rd-7th graders (in Fall 2023)
Come celebrate National Urban Beekeeping Day with us! Learn all about the relationship between beekeepers and honey bees and their vital role in our community. Children will be doing hands-on activities to explore the world of honey bees and why beekeepers are their best friends.
STRUCTURALLY SOUND: AN INTRO TO ENGINEERING | NEW!
5th-8th graders (in Fall 2023)
In this interactive program, children will learn about engineering and how it is all around us. Participants will put their engineering skills to the test as they construct bridges and other sorts of inventions to see the importance of engineering in the construction of everyday structures.
Food & Fun
COOKING WITH UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION | NEW!
Ages 8-13; 13-18
Join the University of Illinois Extension for several classes on a variety of Food and Nutrition topics. Each class includes healthy cooking demonstrations as well as fun activities.
Fee (R/NR): FREE, but registration is required
FUN WITH FOOD: ADULT FOOD AND NUTRITION CLASS
Ages 18+
Join the University of Illinois Extension for a series of seven classes on a variety of Food and Nutrition topics. Each class will include a variety of healthy cooking demonstrations as well as some fun activities. This class is free but you must be a Martens Center member and register.
No Class*: July 4
Martens Members ONLY: FREE, but registration is required
Group Fitness
TOTAL BODY SCULPT
Ages 15+
Total Body Sculpt is the perfect blend of cardio, strength training, flexibility, and stability. Come join us for a fun, low-impact class that will target muscles from your head to your toes! Please bring your own mat.
INTERVAL WALKING CLASS | NEW!
Ages 18+
This 45-minute class focuses on good walking technique, speed, strength, and FUN! Walking workouts can be as casual or vigorous as you want them to be. By adding speed intervals and muscle strengthening exercises to you walk, you can work up a good sweat and give your body a great workout!
BOOT CAMP
Ages 15+
Work at your own pace as your instructor takes you through a series of both strength training and cardio full body movements that’ll have you sweating and your muscles burning. Feel strong, powerful, and accomplished leaving Boot Camp class! Please bring your own mat.
ZUMBA GOLD | NEW!
Ages 18+
A dance party for beginners and seniors, Zumba Gold offers fun and easy moves to Latin and other international rhythms at a slightly slower pace than traditional Zumba.
BURN AND BLAST
Burn and Blast is a sweaty fun time. This class is filled with multiple interval sections that target your legs, arms, and core for a full-body burn! The intervals will vary between body weight/cardio moves and weight training. There are plenty of modifications to adapt to beginner/advanced, come as you are regardless of where you are on your fitness journey! Please bring your own mat.
POWER VINYASA YOGA
Ages 15+
Power Vinyasa Yoga helps improve strength, flexibility, balance, focus, and joy. The structure of this class is designed to include all bodies and levels with many modifications and variations. Notice the differences in your mind, body, breath. Bring a mat, 1 to 2 yoga blocks, and water.
| Date | Day | Time | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 28 - January 2 | Tuesday | 8-9a | November 21 |
| December 7 - January 11 | Thursday | 8-9a | November 30 |
Cultural Arts
POTTERY FUN-DAMENTALS | NEW!
Ages 6-10 & 11-15
Kids will learn ceramic handbuilding techniques to create a variety of popular projects such as gnome homes, monsters, ornaments, and functional pottery like mugs and vases. Kids will apply brightly colored ceramic underglazes and staff will finish all pottery in traditional glass glaze.
INTRO TO FUNCTIONAL POTTERY
Ages 16+
In this 4 week series, learn classic ceramic handbuilding techniques to create a variety of popular functional pottery like mugs, bowls, trays, and vases. After pottery is decorated with brightly colored ceramic underglazes, staff will apply traditional glass glaze. No experience needed! Finished pieces are food safe and can go in the microwave and dishwasher.
GROWN UP AND ME PAINT
Ages 7+, Adult & Child must both register
Bring out your creativity at the Martens Center, with the ladies from Unveiled Creations. They will guide you to create beautiful canvas creations to take home. Each parent and child participant will create a canvas that will combine to make a larger picture.
INDIVIDUAL DRUM LESSONS
Ages 8+
These one-on-one drum lessons are designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. All styles including rock, jazz, funk, Latin, and blues are taught. Lessons are 30 minutes in length and meet once per week. A drum set is available for the lessons, but a drum pad and sticks are recommended for students to purchase for practice. Students who wish to have a longer private lesson may register for more than one time slot.
Open Gym
Open gym is for members and non-members. Non-members may pay daily rate of $3/$5 (R/NR). There are designated open gym times for youth, families and adults.
Click below for the Open Gym schedule as well as additional information for youth ages 17 and under.
Sports
BITTY BALLERS CLINIC
Ages 3-6
This program is designed to help children learn basic dribbling, passing, and shooting skills using our mini basketball hoops and lowered rims.
SUMMER HOOPS BASKETBALL CLINIC | NEW!
3rd-6th graders (in Fall 2023)
Children can enhance their basketball skills and knowledge, and work on developing fundamentals of the game. Shooting, dribbling, passing, and defensive skills are emphasized. This program uses regular hoops.
Birthday Party Packages
Spend your birthday at Martens Center! Click below to learn more about our birthday party packages.
Human Kinetics Park
Visit Human Kinetics Park located directly next to Martens Center! Click the button below to view all of the parks features.
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