Youth Programs

At a Glance

LLCC Community Education and College for Kids have fun learning opportunities for you!

Designed specifically for budding young chefs ages 8-18, these classes are the perfect opportunity for youth to explore their interests and build their culinary skills.

Colorful Pasta 

Making pasta from scratch is easy, and with a little color and creativity, you can make a tasty and colorful dish, perfect for spring.

  • Instructor: Lakesha Jackson 
  • Date: Sat., April 8 
  • Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Location: Workforce Careers Center, Room 1121 
  • Course Codes and Fees: YES 500-02, $59

Tacos and Salsa     

Tacos and salsa are a great go-to dinner that you can learn to make from scratch and impress your family and friends. 

  • Instructor: Lakesha Jackson 
  • Date: Sat., April 15 
  • Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Location: Workforce Careers Center, Room 1121 
  • Course Codes and Fees: YES 500-03, $59

Culinary Camps

Grades 5-8

At each hands-on, three-hour, multi-day camp experience, students get:

  • All new recipes, techniques and subject matter every week!
  • The art of cooking AND the science of baking
  • Basic and NEW culinary techniques, tips and tricks
  • Curriculum developed and tested by our LLCC team of professional chefs
  • Lessons that are created to encourage growth and development of culinary skills
  • Something for all skill levels from beginner to the experienced chef
  • Introduction to creative new foods and skills to make all of their favorite dishes

Let's Eat

Weekly menu: Monday – omelets, bacon and potato hash breakfast; Tuesday – soup, salad and sandwich lunch; Wednesday – Italian dinner; and Thursday – cupcakes, mousse and a dessert lasagna
Date: Mon-Thu, June 26-29
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Cost: $195
Code: YES-701-02

Let's Bake

Weekly menu: Monday – lemon meringue pie, Tuesday – sugar cookies, Wednesday – fair foods, including funnel cakes and shake-ups, and Thursday – gooey brownies
Date: Mon-Thu, June 26-29
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Cost: $195
Code: YES-701-03

Culinary Adventure

Weekly menu: Monday – pizza party, Tuesday – tacos, Wednesday – Italian dinner and Thursday – classic family comfort foods
Date: Mon-Thu, July 10-13
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Cost: $195
Code: YES-701-04

Pastry Arts

Weekly menu: Monday – cupcake decorating, Tuesday – macaron cookies, Wednesday – fudge and Thursday – mini cheesecakes
Mon-Thu, July 10-13, 9 a.m.-noon
Cost: $195
Code: YES-701-05

Around the World

Weekly menu: Monday – Chinese takeout, Tuesday – Mexican dishes, Wednesday – Japanese sushi and Thursday – Italian pasta
Date: Mon-Thu, July 17-20
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Cost: $195
Code: YES-701-06

Jr. Bakers

Weekly menu: Monday – yeast breads, Tuesday – county fair favorites, including corn dogs and funnel cake, Wednesday – cake pops and cookies, and Thursday – triple chocolate
Date: Mon-Thu, July 17-20
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Cost: $195
Code: YES-701-07

Let’s Go Out for ...

Weekly menu: Monday – pretzels from the mall, Tuesday – wings, Wednesday – Chinese takeout and Thursday – pizza
Date: Mon-Thu, July 24-27
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Cost: $195
Code: YES-701-08

Bites and Treats

Weekly menu: Monday – trifles, Tuesday – brownies, Wednesday – barks and Thursday – treats for the doggies
Date: Mon-Thu, July 24-27
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Cost: $195
Code: YES-701-09

Bake It Lab! High School

Weekly menu: Monday – focaccia art bread, Tuesday – pastry swans and eclairs, Wednesday – decorated mini pies and Thursday –salted chocolate caramel tart
Date: Mon-Thu, July 24-27
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Cost: $195
Code: YES-701-01

black rocket - launch your creativity

Black Rocket Technology Camps for Ages 8-14

Virtual camps available now!

LLCC’s College For Kids partners with a nationally known leader in tech-education to present virtual STEAM camps. Top Black Rocket instructors lead the whole class and small group sessions in real-time.

Registration

View more class details and register for virtual Black Rocket classes.

Please have payment ready as it will be required to complete your registration.

LLCC’s College for Kids offers a variety of fun, enrichment activities for youth. Classes are updated throughout the year. Check back often for current schedules!

Easy Vehicle Driveway Checkup 

You don’t have to be afraid or intimidated by your vehicle. Brian Earley, auto tech instructor, will demonstrate simple preventative vehicle checks to be done monthly and/or before you head out on a road trip that will keep your vehicle operating safely and running smoothly. Detailed, hands-on examples cover lights, wipers, horn, tires, fluid levels and jump-starting. You will have the opportunity to pull your vehicle into the auto tech lab and practice these skills on your own ride! Youth must be accompanied by a licensed driver.

  • Instructor: Brian Earley
  • Date: Sat., March 25
  • Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Location: Workforce Career Center, Room 1179
  • Ages: 15-18
  • Cost: $65
  • Course code: Ages: 15-18, YES 112-02

Summer College for Kids

College for Kids

Grades 1-6

College for Kids is a hands-on, three-hour, multi-day camp experience for academically curious students to discover new talents and expand their knowledge under the guidance of experienced educators. New this year: there will be a supervised lunch hour for all-day students.

Session 1: June 12-15

Grades 1-3
The Artist in You – 2D Art

Come explore your artistic side with a professional artist. Learn to express your feelings through art including markers, paint, pastels and more.

  • Time: 9 a.m.-noon
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-01  
Figure It Out – STEM Camp

Do you like to learn how things work? Do you like to try out your own ideas to solve a problem? This is the camp for you! Full of hands-on experiments and projects in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

  • Time: 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-02    
Grades 4-6
Drumtastic – Percussion

Students will experience the power of music, rhythm, movement and drumming. This high-energy class combines traditional aerobic movement with the powerful beat and rhythms of the drums. Students will explore rhythms by using stability balls on stands and drumsticks, and also have opportunities for creative movement exploration. Designed for enthusiastic students of all skill levels the camp is full of performing, learning and listening opportunities.

  • Time: 9 a.m.-noon
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-07    
The Artist in You – 2D Art

Come explore your artistic side with a professional artist. Learn to express yourself through art including markers, paint, pastels and more. 

  • Time: 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-08

Session 2: June 19-22

Grades 1-3
Camp Read-a-Lot (featuring books by Dav Pilkey)

Love Captain Underpants? Dogman? Have you read every Dav Pilkey book? Several times? Learn all about Dav Pilkey, his work and his process for creating your favorite characters. Students will complete several projects with his characters in mind and figure out what makes his books so good!

  • Time: 9 a.m.-noon
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-03
Music Tells a Story

Every song tells a story. Learn about the ways that music allows a composer to share a story using instrument, melody and rhythm. We'll experiment with creating our own stories using instruments.

  • Time: 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-04    
Grades 4-6
Great Graphic Novels – Reading and Writing Them

Calling graphic novel fans! Do you have a favorite series? Do you have an idea for your own? In this camp, we will look at several popular graphic novels and learn to create one of your own. Process includes brainstorming your plot, developing characters, drawing your art and editing your work.

  • Time: 9 a.m.-noon
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-09
Protecting Our Environment

You have an important role to play in preserving our environment. If you love spending time outdoors and science is your favorite subject, come earn how you can make a difference and enrich your understanding of the natural world. There will be indoor and outdoor activities.

  • Time: 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-10

Session 3: June 26-29

Grades 1-3
3D Dynamics – Art in Three Dimensions

Three-dimensional art uses the dimensions of height, width and depth. It occupies physical space and can be viewed and interpreted from all sides and angles. Use various materials to create objects, characters and/or scenes.

  • Time: 9 a.m.-noon
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-05
Writing Isn't Just for School

From creative writing to comedy to screenwriting there are so many ways to workshop is designed to foster creativity, self-expression and excitement about writing.

  • Time: 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-06   
Grades 4-6
Figure it Out – STEM Camp

Do you like to learn how things work? Do you like to try out your own ideas to solve a problem? This is the camp for you! Full of hands-on experiments and projects in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

  • Time: 9 a.m.-noon
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-11
3D Dynamics – Art in Three Dimensions

Three-dimensional art uses the dimensions of height, width and depth. It occupies physical space and can be viewed and interpreted from all sides and angles. Use various materials to create objects, characters and/or scenes.

  • Time: 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-12

Middle and high school (2023-2024 academic year) — ages 13-16

Teen Learning Labs are hands-on, three-hour, multi-day camp experiences for academically curious students to discover new talents and expand their knowledge under the guidance of experienced educators.

June 19-22

Introduction to Trades

Middle/High school

Explore the world of trades in this hands-on class taught by experienced workforce faculty. Students will get the inside scoop on HVAC, welding, auto and aviation careers.

  • Time: 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: TBD
  • Cost: $195
  • Course code: YES-700-15

June 26-29

Girls in Metal

Middle/High school

Explore metal-working careers in this hands-on class taught by experienced workforce faculty. Students will get the inside scoop on HVAC, welding, aviation careers. This class is specifically designed for girls.

  • Time: 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: TBD
  • Cost: $195
  • Course code: YES
Construction Careers

Middle/High school

Explore the world of construction in this hands-on class taught by experienced workforce faculty. Students will get the inside scoop on a variety of construction careers.

  • Time: 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: TBD
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-16  

July 10-13

The Beat

Middle/High school

Since the emergence of hip-hop in the 1970s, disc jockeys have played a central part of American musical culture. Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the genre by learning about the history of hip-hop and rap in the United States and creating your own stylized beats and musical creations. This beat making class will be an introductory exploration of various digital music platforms that can be easily accessed at home and at school. By the end of the week, students will be able to share their final creations with classmates, friends and families.

  • Time: 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: Logan 1139
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-18

July 24-27

Introduction to Book Binding

Ages 12-17

Learn to create several book structures in this hands-on and creative class. Students will begin by learning folding and sewing techniques as they construct various types of pamphlets, small notebooks or journals that they can easily make for themselves or share with friends. Building upon the accordion notebook structure, students will design and build a tunnel book, an interactive book structure built from layers of paper that produce three-dimensional spaces for both text and images. Students will also learn to sew together a full-sized book when they make a modern version of a long-stitch book. The long stitch method sews together multiple sections of paper and connects the pages directly to the spine of the book’s cover, serving as a decorative element. All paper and supplies are provided, and students are encouraged to take home and enjoy all their completed books structures.

  • Time: 1-4 p.m.
  • Location: Trutter
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-20

IL Symphony Youth Orchestra Camp

The Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestras College for Kids camp will introduce children to different string instruments including violin, viola, cello and bass, and will give them the opportunity to try out different string instruments throughout the week with skilled strings instructors. Campers will also learn about various music concepts such as rhythm and dynamics through fun games and activities. And they will be visited by professional musicians during the week! No previous experience with music or playing an instrument is required.

  • Date: Mon.-Thu., June 26-29
  • Time: 9 a.m.-noon
  • Location: Trutter Center
  • Grades: 3-6
  • Cost: $149
  • Course code: YES-700-14    

Girls on the Run Camp

Camp GOTR combines the best of Girls on the Run with all the fun of camp! During this session, incoming third to fifth grade girls will build friendships in a fun and inclusive setting that includes interactive games, being physically active and expressing creativity through art and crafts as well as storytelling. Led by caring and qualified Girls on the Run coaches, Camp GOTR provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for girls to develop self-confidence, learn life skills they can use now and as they grow, and have fun with friends. Registration is available at: https://www.gotrcentralillinois.org/camp-program-details.

  • Date: Mon.-Thu., June 26-29 
  • Time: 8 a.m.-12:15 p.m. 
  • Location: Trutter Center 
  • Grades: 4-6
  • Cost: $135

Online registration is not available at this time.  

Registration is available by telephone or in-person Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover are all accepted methods of payment. Payments must be made in full when registering. 

Register by telephone

217-786-2292 
Credit card only

Register in-person

LLCC Admission and Registration
Millennium Center, first floor
5250 Shepherd Rd.
Springfield, IL 62703
Cash/Check/Credit card

Registration and refund deadline

Registration will conclude and no refunds will be issued after seven business days prior to each week’s class.  

Registrations/payments are taken on a first-come, first served basis. 
Class sizes are limited, so register early.
 
Please only register your student for classes they wish to take. Classes with low enrollment will be canceled. 

For program questions call 217-786-2432 or email LLCC Community Education.

Program notes

Class size is limited to a maximum of 15-18 students, with a minimum requirement of six. 

If registering for both morning and afternoon youth classes during the same week, students must be registered for lunch supervision or picked up between sessions.

In the event that a class is full, you may request to be placed on a waiting list.

Once you have registered, please complete the waiver and information form.

Waiver and information form