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A21 - Romp 'n Play - Join us in this special playroom which has been specially set up for the two to five year olds. Duplo, puppets, drawing materials, and many other toys and games are sure to hold your child's interest. Rough- housing is not permitted. A low child to care-taker ratio will be enforced. Parents must sign their children in and out. Space is limited. If you sign up for back-to-back workshops, there is no need to pick up your child between workshops. Older siblings may attend with younger children. This workshop is ongoing and available during each session.  Ages 2 - 5.

A22 - Toy Tech - Chris Gingrich - Staff from Kline Creek Farm, an 1890's living history farm, will help participants understand how changing technology has impacted everyday life by looking at and trying a variety of old-fashioned toys.  Children under five must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-7.

A23 - Animal Coverings - Brian Winters - A Forest Preserve Naturalist presents a collection of animal skins, specimens, shells and more.  Discover the wildlife of the forest preserves and learn how their animal coverings help them survive.  Ages 4-7.

A24 - Johanna Unpacks her Immigrant Trunk - Lydia Scheller - Johanna tells her story of immigration through artifacts from her trunk. Participants will also learn a Swedish folk dance and make a Swedish craft.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-7.

A25 - Hands-On Science - Melissa Bradford and Rob Puhl - This ongoing workshop will have fun-filled scientific exploration.  We'll have four stations:  the competition corner, Rube Goldberg creative play, a make-and-take project, and the Lego building area.  We will also have occasional demonstrations of scientific principles.  This session's make-and-take will be making a lightbulb, with a demonstration of a Van de Graaff Generator.  We will compete to see who can build the tallest paper tower.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

A26 - Galaxy of Art - Stacie Suhrbur - Join us for free exploration in the art room.  We have billions of cool materials for you to use to create your own masterpiece.  Stations will include painting, scratch art, sculpting material, yarn art and collage.  This session's unique art activity will be papier mache' bangles.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

A27 - Community and Fire Safety - Doug Hajek and Pete Ahlman - Meet Officer Hajek and Lt. Ahlman from Arlington Heights Police and Fire Departments.  Talk with them about stranger danger, dialing 911, dangerous item safety, and fire safety.   Learn about all the gear a firefighter wears when going into a fire.  If the vehicles are available,  you might also get a close-up look at the fire truck and prisoner transport vehicle.  Be sure to bring your coat to this session!  Ages 4-10.

A28 - Soccer:  All Ages - Mason and Phil Anders - Families, come and learn the fundamentals of soccer together.  Build teamwork skills and cooperation.  Learn the basic rules and skills while discovering the enjoyment of playing for the sake of the game.  Children under 10 must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-100.

A29 - JASC Tsukasa Taiko Drumming Ensemble - JASC Tsukasa Taiko - Japanese American Service Committee Tsukasa Taiko, Chicago's leading Japanese drumming ensemble, will offer an introduction to this exciting and dynamic drumming style.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 5-20.

A30 - Froebel Blocks - Jan Kieckhefer - American architect Frank Lloyd Wright played with Froebel blocks as a child and credited them with inspiring his innovative prairie style. Participants in a Froebel block workshop observe, create, reflect, think, and problem-solve while building and designing with geometric wooden blocks.  Ages 7-10.

A31 - Toys and Games of Times Past - Kim Shehorn-Martin - This program utilizes toys and games to illustrate how Native American and pioneer children lived 200 years ago. Participants will engage in hands-on activities to discover similarities between kids today and 200 years ago.  Ages 7-10.

A32 - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Alice Muciek and Kim Campbell - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry comes to the conference.  Young magical people will find that a place has been prepared for them.  Experience genuine Hogwarts classes.  This period will have an emphasis on Charms, Wand Making and more.  Ages 7-13.

A33 - Preteen Club - A great place to meet other homeschoolers your age.  Make new friends while enjoying activities such as board games, card games, hanging out, and crafts.  This session will also include a Nintendo DS/Game Boy Advanced linkup, so bring your hand-held games.  Ages 9-13.

A34 - Make a Tetrahedral Kite - Ivy Rio - They don't need much of a breeze, and they really do flyl!  Using string, straws, and tissue paper, make your own tetrahedral kite.  Ages 10-20.

A35 - Art Technique Bonanza - Diane Keen - Travel station to station to experiment using unusual art techniques.  Create a great reference guide so you can try these fun techniques again with friends. There are so many fun techniques, you will have a hard time deciding on a favorite!  Ages 10-100.

A36 - How Do Car Engines Work? - Sean O'Laughlin - Ever wonder what's under the hood of a car and what is going on in there?  Ever hear things like "3.0 Liter V-6" or "dual overhead cams" and wonder what those means?  Come learn the basic idea behind the engine and how all the pieces fit together.  Within small groups, you will even have a chance to build a model engine and really see it at work.  Ages 10-100.

A37 - Uglies and The Giver - Natasha Gordon -   "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld and "The Giver" by Louis Lowry are wonderful and engaging novels about human nature and community.  Please read them before the conference and come ready to discuss.  Once you start them, you won't be able to put them down!  Ages 12-20.

A38 - European Weave Chain Maille - Bethany Harvey - In this workshop you will learn the European 4 into 1 chain maille weave.  This weave is most commonly used for armor and clothing, and is the weave of chain maille that was worn by knights during the Renaissance and medieval time periods.  It can also be used to make jewelry, purses, and inlays.  Ages 12-20.

A39 - LAN Party - George Carpenter - Come and join a LAN Party!  Four X-Boxes will be networked together so we can play games such as Halo 2, or equivalent mature or teen rated games as a 16-person party.  Experience with X-Box helpful, but not required.  WARNING:  This session will use Halo 2 which is rated Mature for violence and blood.  Do not sign up if you will find this objectionable.  Ages 13-20.

A40 - Women, Wardrobe and WWII - Debbie Fandrei - Did short skirts help with WWII?  Find out!  This fun program looks at the fashion changes caused by WWII.  Students will see examples of 1940's advertising, vintage clothing and WWII artifacts from the collection of the Raupp Museum as the museum educator speaks about the government's clothing regulations during the war and what effect they had on women and fashion.  Ages 13-20.

A41 - Teen Hangout - Kick back and relax with other homeschooled teens while enjoying a variety of board games, card games, crafts, and other activities.  Video games will be available.  Ages 13-20.

A42 - Art Round Robin - Karen Wiebe - Collaborate with other artists in an unusual shared art experience.  Participants will start an art project, and after a few minutes, will pass their work to their neighbors, who will add their own creative touches.  The round robin continues until everyone has contributed to each piece of work. The originator of each piece gets to keep that piece of art work.  Ages 13 - 20.

B21 - Romp 'n Play - See A21 for description.

B22 - Animal Talk and Animal Tongues - Karen Ritter- Learn different ways in which animals communicate.  Explore how animals use their tongues through a unique and fun way of comparison and experimentation.  Ages 4-7.

B23 - Birds of Prey - Brian Winters - A Forest Preserve Naturalist presents a collection of preserved hawks, owls and other raptors.  Learn about the raptors of the Forest Preserves and discover how these hunters of the sky are adapted to survive in the habitats of Illinois.  Ages 4-7.

B24 - Galaxy of Art - Stacie Suhrbur - Join us for free exploration in the art room.  We have billions of cool materials for you to use to create your own masterpiece.  Stations will include painting, scratch art, sculpting material, yarn art and collage.   This session's unique art activity will be papier mache' bangles.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

B25 - Hands-On Science - Nancy Carpenter - This ongoing workshop will have fun-filled scientific exploration.  We'll have four stations:  the competition corner, Rube Goldberg creative play, a make-and-take project, and the Lego building area.  We will also have occasional demonstrations of scientific principles.  The make-and-take will be constellation cards and a pocket sundial.  Learn how and why the night sky changes through the seasons, and how to identify different constellations.  We will compete to make the most buoyant paper boat.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

B26 - Felted Necklace - Nicolette Downs - Come learn how you can transform shapeless wool fibers into colorful felt beads! Then string the beads together to make a beautiful necklace.  Ages 4-13.

B27 - Native Americans of the Eastern Woodlands - Penny Berlet - The Curator of Education, from Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, will be sharing the history of tribes that lived in Illinois. Through artifacts, games, and a craft, we will learn about people who lived in the Eastern Woodlands including the Chicago area.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 5-8.

B28 - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Alice Muciek and Kim Campbell - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry comes to the conference.  Young magical people will find that a place has been prepared for them.  Experience genuine Hogwarts classes.  This period will have an emphasis on Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, and more.  Ages 7-13.

B29 - Creative Dramatics, Mime & Juggling - Chris Fascione - A hands-on, participatory exploration of beginning drama techniques, as well as an introduction to pantomime and juggling.  Ages 7-13.

B30 - Walk In My Shoes - Maureen Statland - Learn about the 4-H "Walk In My Shoes" materials, involving how to ask questions to write the stories of your family history. Come meet some wonderful older adults that will help you learn these techniques.  Ages 7-10.

B31 - Forces in Motion - Anne Heavey and Tom Meyer - Speed, motion, momentum, gravity, forces - these realities control our world, but sometimes we don't understand the differences.  Fermilab scientists share activities and demonstrations to help students develop a deeper understanding of the concepts of force and motion.  Ages 7-10.

B32 - Packing for Pioneer Life - Debbie Fandrei - This program covers Buffalo Grove's history from settlement to the 1850's.  Explore a pioneer trunk filled with reproduction artifacts and participate in a hands-on packing activity.  Ages 7-10.

B33 - A-maize-ing Things About Corn - Sandy Brubaker - Graue Mill and Museum staff will help children learn about the early uses of corn, how it was used in the mid-19th century and how we use it today.   Make a pioneer corn husk doll to take home.  Ages 7-10.

B34 - Preteen Club - A great place to meet other homeschoolers your age.  Make new friends while enjoying activities such as board games, card games, hanging out, and crafts.  This session will also include  Yu-Gi-Oh dueling and trading.  Ages 9-13.

B35 - Foam Swords - Basic - Nicholas Huff - Learn the basics of foam sword battling, how to construct a warlord sword, and how to battle with it.  Also, learn basic moves and techniques.  Ages 10-20.

B36 - Testing the Waters - Museum of Science and Industry - Become an environmental scientist and analyze the health of a Chicago-area water source! Students will work in teams using environmental science methods to determine the quality of a water sample. Is the water source safe for plants and animals? Find out!  Students may bring their own water samples to test, but the Museum will provide water as well. A lagoon, pond, stream or other body of water in your community would be a great place to collect a water sample. The amount of water to bring is 10-12 oz., about the amount of liquid in a coke can or small water bottle.  Ages 10-13.

B37 - Building Soccer Skills for the Experienced Player - Mason and Phil Anders - This session is for the experienced player.  Step beyond the basic skills and fine tune your abilities while learning the finer points of the game.  Ages 10-20.

B38 - Boom Whackers - Sharon and Shara and Cassie Welter - Come learn about these colored tubes that can actually make music.   You'll learn about their origins and how they are made.  After that we will play several songs and play fun games.  Ages 10-20.

B39 - Teen Hangout - Kick back and hang out with other homeschooled teens while enjoying a variety of board games, card games, crafts, and other activities.  Video games will be available.  Ages 13-20.

B40 - LAN Party - Patrick Gocek - Come and join a LAN Party!  Four X-Boxes will be networked together so we can play games such as Halo 2, or equivalent mature or teen rated games as a 16-person party.  Experience with X-Box helpful, but not required.  WARNING:  This session will use Halo 2 which is rated Mature for violence and blood.  Do not sign up if you may find this offensive.  Ages 13-20.

B41 - Manga Drawing - Nina Perez - As manga, or Japanese comics, become increasingly popular, more and more artists want to learn the manga-style of drawing.  Come set your inner samurai free by joining us for this fun class.  Ages 13-20.

B42 - Grow Your Brain with Brain Gym® - Barbara Bednarz - Grow your brain with Brain Gym®, simple movements which make learning easier and faster. As a side-effect, become more focused, organized and relaxed.  Ages 13-20.

C21 - Romp 'n Play - See A21 for description.

C22 - Creative Dramatics, Mime & Juggling - Chris Fascione - A hands-on, participatory exploration of beginning drama techniques, as well as an introduction to pantomime and juggling.  Ages 4-7.

C23 - Fascinating Fish - Karen Ritter - Listen to fish tales as secrets are revealed about how they survive in their natural habitat.  Ages 4-7.

C24 - Singing in Rounds - Nancy Carpenter - Learn a variety of 2-, 3-, and 4-part rounds and canons.  Music-reading ability and singing experience are NOT necessary!  Ages 4-100.

C25 - Hands-On Science - Ivy Rio - This ongoing workshop will have fun-filled scientific exploration.  We'll have four stations:  the competition corner, Rube Goldberg creative play, a make-and-take project, and the Lego building area.  We will also have occasional demonstrations of scientific principles.   The make-and-take will focus on Oil:  the Kitchen Slicker!  We will make a wave maker and a lava bottle.  There will be a competition to make the strongest spaghetti structure.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

C26 - Galaxy of Art - Stacie Suhrbur - Join us for free exploration in the art room.  We have billions of cool materials for you to use to create your own masterpiece.  Stations will include painting, scratch art, sculpting material, yarn art and collage.   This session's unique art activity will be mosaics.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

C27 - From Wool to Wow! - Debbie Fandrei - Learn how a sheep becomes a shawl in this fun hands-on program.  Participants will be able to touch different types of wool, learn how to make yarn using a drop spindle and experiment with using natural materials to dye yarn.  Finally, everyone will put their knowledge to work on a weaving project.  Ages 4-7.

C28 - Rube Goldberg Machines - Ruben Areyzaga - A Rube Goldberg machine is an exceedingly complex chain reaction device that performs a simple task in a convoluted way, like the game "Mouse Trap."  Come make your own Rube Goldberg machine out of dominoes, string, car track, marbles and other assorted materials.  Ages 7-13.

C29 - Golden Rule School Days - Jan Wilt - Travel back in time and discover what it was like to be a student learning in a one room schoolhouse in 1910. How were students expected to behave? How were students disciplined if they did not obey the rules? What other subjects were taught besides reading, writing and arithmetic? Each participant will play the role of a student who attended a one-room school in Elk Grove Village.  Ages 7-10.

C30 - Native American Life - Kim Shehorn-Martin - Two hundred years ago the Potawatomi lived in what eventually became the southwest suburbs. How did they live? How did they communicate with each other? In this session, students will engage in hands-on activites to learn the answers to these questions and more.  Ages 7-10.

C31 - A-maize-ing Things About Corn - Sandy Brubaker - Graue Mill and Museum staff will help children learn about the early uses of corn, how it was used in the mid-19th century and how we use it today.   Make a pioneer corn husk doll to take home.  Ages 7-10.

C32 - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Alice Muciek and Kim Campbell - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry comes to the conference.  Young magical people will find that a place has been prepared for them.  Experience genuine Hogwarts classes.  This period will have an emphasis on Potions and more.  Ages 7-13.

C33 - Introduction to Soccer - Phil and Autumn Anders - Learn the basics of soccer in a fun and exciting way.  Dribbling, passing and shooting will be covered.  Ages 7-10.

C34 - Preteen Club - A great place to meet other homeschoolers your age.  Make new friends while enjoying activities such as board games, card games, hanging out, and crafts.  This session will also include Yu-Gi-Oh dueling and card trading.  Ages 9-13.

C35 - Forces in Motion - Anne Heavey and Tom Meyer - Speed, motion, momentum, gravity, forces - these realities control our world, but sometimes we don't understand the differences.  Fermilab scientists share activities and demonstrations to help students develop a deeper understanding of the concepts of force and motion.  Ages 10-13.

C36 - Theatre Games - Natasha Gordon - Join the improv class, where actors (aka students) will perform spontaneously, without a script. We will be playing a few theater games, and props will be provided. Just come ready to act.  Ages 10-13.

C37 - Foam Swords - Advanced - Nicholas Huff - Go beyond the basic foam sword.  Learn to make a warlord battle axe and how to battle with it.  Learn more advanced moves and techniques.  Previous experience with foam swords required.  Ages 10-20.

C38 - Bottle Cap Creations - Cassie Bradford - Learn this easy and fun craft using recycled materials.  Make fabulous magnets, key chains and jewelry out of bottle caps.  Ages 10-20.

C39 - Tamora Pierce Book Discussion - Barbara Hardin - Are you a huge Tamora Pierce fan? Come and share your thoughts and insights with others who love this author too. Focus will be on Lioness, Immortal, Protector of the Small and Trickster series.  Ages 11-20.

C40 - Geography Through Art: Part 1 - Sharon and John Jeffus - We begin by making a picture of the earth using chalk, we then discuss the art of mapmaking and create a map.  During our quick trip around the world, we will complete several projects from all corners.  Enjoy creating different forms of art including watercolors, paper, clay, and beads, from the Orient, to Europe, South America, and Africa. This is a double workshop, you must also register for the D40 session.   Ages 10-20.

C41 - In the Kitchen with Chef Dan - Dan Levato - What is a chef's job like, and how do you become one?  Sheraton chef Dan Levato will talk about that, as well as how he became interested in cooking, and the many opportunities in the field.  He will conduct a tour of the kitchen; explain the various positions on the kitchen crew, the tools and equipment used to prepare meals, how food is ordered and stored, and the health guidelines and safety features of the kitchen.  He’ll also discuss the new water resort, its special menu items, and the franchise outlets for A & W, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks.  Question and Answer session at the conclusion.  Ages 12-20.

C42 - Teen Hangout - Kick back and hang out with other homeschooled teens while enjoying a variety of board games, card games, crafts, and other activities.  Video games will be available.  Ages 13-20.

C43 - LAN Party - Patrick Gocek - Come and join a LAN Party!  Four X-Boxes will be networked together so we can play games such as Halo 2, or equivalent mature or teen rated games as a 16-person party.  Experience with X-Box helpful, but not required.  WARNING:  This session will use Halo 2 which is rated Mature for violence and blood.  Do not sign up if you may find this offensive.  Ages 13-20.

C44 - Socrates Cafe for Teens - Roy Underhill - As a teen, you probably spend lots of time talking to other teens, but how often do you discuss with your peers really important, compelling questions about religion, politics, morality, or even homeschooling? This seminar aims to provide a setting for that kind of discussion. No prior experience in philosophy is necessary; just bring an open mind and a desire to cooperatively examine whatever compelling questions interest you at the time. We will focus on improving our ability to articulate and clarify our thoughts about complex, important issues. Although the moderator will be an adult, the discussion will be entirely among the teens attending. Parents may attend to observe (with the permission of their participating teens, if any), but may not speak. Ages 13-20.

D21 - Romp 'n Play - See A21 for description. 

D22 - Africa's Beat - Andy Hershberger - Explore a variety of African instruments and create your own African percussion ensemble, complete with self- made instruments and traditional rhythms.  Ages 4-7.

D23 - A to Z Art in 2D - Diane Keen - Discover new ways to have fun creating 2D art while using artist-quality supplies. Experiment with fun materials while learning techniques that you can use over and over again with any subject matter. By the time this workshop is over, you will have tons of great ideas to try at home.  Ages 4-7.

D24 - Galaxy of Art - Stacie Suhrbur - Join us for free exploration in the art room.  We have billions of cool materials for you to use to create your own masterpiece.  Stations will include painting, scratch art, sculpting materials, yarn art and collage.   This session's unique art activity will be crayons turned to oils via warming trays.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

D25 - Hands-On Science - This ongoing workshop will have fun-filled scientific exploration.  We'll have four stations:  the competition corner, Rube Goldberg creative play, a make-and-take project, and the Lego building area.  We will also have occasional demonstrations of scientific principles.  We will have an astronomy observing session for beginners and compete to build a variety of egg towers.  Ages 4-13.

D26 - Understanding Our Families - Jillian Snider - Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization whose goal is to educate and inspire young people to succeed in the global economy.  During this interactive workshop students will better understand how families differ and how they work together to make where they live a good place.  Using a colorful community poster, the students will read a short story and use stickers to find family members helping each other in the community.  The students will also identify the difference between a need and a want.  Using flashcards, the students will become aware that all families must have food, clothing, and shelter to live.  Ages 4-7.

D27 - Bead Bracelet - Bonnie Gullak - Come and learn about beginning beading with Bonnie. Meet other kids who also are interested in beading. Make a daisy chain seed bead bracelet for yourself or as a gift.  Ages 6-10.

D28 - Storytelling Outside the Box - Carol Johnson - Carol Johnson, professional storyteller, has the great ability to bring stories alive.  Come and listen, as Carol tells stories with group participation and laughter guaranteed!  Ages 7-10.

D29 - Creative Decoupage - Portia O'Laughlin - Let your imagination run free with this project.  Use paint and decoupage techniques to personalize a few ordinary flower pots and saucers into a decorative object of many uses.  It could be a miniature zen garden, a jewelry catchall, a decorative bird fountain, or anything else that you can dream up.  Bring decorative scrapbook papers or wrapping paper if you like but there will be plenty to choose from.  Ages 7-20.

D30 - Paper Airplanes - Erik and Jake Wachlin and Dan and William Magner - Children will learn the basics of flight and also learn to fold and adjust their own paper airplanes for maximum distance and flight time.  Ages 7-10.

D31 - An Artist’s Journey: Chicago Painted & Mosaic Murals - Kiela Smith-Upton - Take a visual journey and be inspired while learning about collaborative mosaic and painted public murals with artist Kiela Smith-Upton. See lots of her artwork, created during the last 16+ years, including mosaic and concrete benches at Chicago's Navy Pier. Learn from, and have your questions answered by, a practicing artist.  Ages 7-20.

D32 - Tropical Fish Panorama - Karine Bauch - If you can draw ovals, then you can create this fish panorama.  Just add a little color and fishy elements like eyes, fins, and stripes.  Then practice highlighting to give them a great shine!  Ages 7-10.

D33 - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Alice Muciek and Kim Campbell - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry comes to the conference.  Young magical people will find that a place has been prepared for them.  Experience genuine Hogwarts classes.  This period will have an emphasis on Quidditch and more.  Ages 7-13.

D34 - Nighttime Observing Session - Nancy Carpenter - An astronomy observing session, primarily for beginners.  We'll identify stars, constellations, possibly planets, and maybe see the ISS (International Space Station) fly by.  Please dress for the weather, including a hat and warm gloves or mittens.  If the weather doesn't cooperate, we'll move indoors for an armchair and computer astronomy session, including a slide show of interstellar images from the Hubble Space Telescope, along with astronomical phenomena such as aurorae and eclipses.  Ages 7-13.

D35- Preteen Club - A great place to meet other homeschoolers your age.  Make new friends while enjoying activities such as board games, card games, hanging out, and crafts.  This session will also include a Nintendo DS/Game Boy Advanced linkup.  Bring your hand-held game.  Ages 9-13.

D36 - Build a Geodesic Clubhouse - Ruben Areyzaga - Geodesic domes are made of interlocking geometric shapes, often triangles.  Because loads are spread over many triangles, these domes are especially strong.  Now you can learn how to make a geodesic dome you can play in, using newspaper, a stapler, and tape.  Ages 10-20.

D37 - Foam Sword Play - Will Suhrbur - Boffing is the act of fighting with padded weapons.  Join in for one-on-one battles, with a posting of a final winner (one point per win).  Boffing is done purely for entertainment.  If you already have a foam sword(s), it would be helpful to bring it/them.  See the RealmsNet web site for information on game rules and sword making.  Ages 10-20.

D38 - Bird's Nest Basket - Georgia Kmetz - Weave a wild-looking, useful bowl or basket of natural, recycled, and found materials.  Anyone who can use a pair of scissors and follow simple weaving instructions will love this project.  Ages 10-20.

D39 - Begin to Knit - Nicolette Downs - This  workshop introduces the basics of knitting. Learn to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. If you own your own needles, please bring them. Handouts and materials will be supplied.  Ages 10-20.

D40 - Geography Through Art: Part 2 - John and Sharon Jeffus - We begin by making a picture of the earth using chalk, we then discuss the art of mapmaking and create a map.  During our quick trip around the world, we will complete several projects from all corners.  Enjoy creating different forms of art including watercolors, paper, clay, and beads, from the Orient, to Europe, South America, and Africa.  This is a double workshop, you must also register for Part 1, the C40 session.  Ages 10-20.

D41 - Teen Hangout - Kick back and hang out with other homeschooled teens while enjoying a variety of board games, card games, crafts, and other activities.  Video games will be available.  Ages 13-20.

D42 - LAN Party - Patrick Gocek - Come and join a LAN Party!  Four X-Boxes will be networked together so we can play games such as Halo 2, or equivalent mature or teen rated games as a 16-person party.  Experience with X-Box helpful, but not required.  WARNING:  This session will use Halo 2 which is rated Mature for violence and blood.  Do not sign up if you will find this objectionable.  Ages 13-20.

D43 - Improv Games - Jared and Cynthia de Seife - In this workshop we will do a variety of theatre games leading up to "Whose Line Is It Anyway" style improvisational comedy. Improv is very challenging but lots of fun.  Wear comfortable clothes, bring your sense of humor, and check your ego at the door!  Ages 13-20.

D44 - Art Round Robin - Karen Wiebe - Collaborate with other artists in an unusual shared art experience.  Participants will start an art project, and after a few minutes, will pass their work to their neighbors, who will add their own creative touches.  The round robin continues until everyone has contributed to each piece of work. The originator of each piece gets to keep that piece of artwork.  Ages 13-20.

D45 - CSI - Hilary Gordon - Come solve a crime that has been committed in this very hotel.  Something has been stolen and you as a rookie CSI cadet will need to help solve the case.   Use logic and track down statements from all those involved. You will be traveling around the hotel so please only sign up for this if you are responsible enough to walk around the hotel without an adult.  Ages 14-20.

E21 - Romp 'n Play – See A21 for description. 

E22 - Water Color Tiles - Linda Kraft - Come and learn how to make a stamp design on a ceramic tile. You will then decorate your design with chalk pastels. Keep your tile for a treasure or give as a special gift. Linda will tell you the designated area to pick up your Water Color Tile when it is completely dry.  Children who are 4 must be chaperoned to assist with the project.  Ages 4-7.

E23 - Wiggles & Giggles Storytelling - Carol Johnson - Carol Johnson, professional storyteller, has the great ability to bring stories alive.  Come and listen, as Carol tells stories, with group participation and laughter guaranteed!  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-7.

E24 - Spolin Theatre Games - Robin Hughes – Join us for theatre games and exercises which nurture your children's creative abilities.  They develop ensemble skills, discover how to take risks and expand character development.  Ages 4-7.

E25 - Galaxy of Art - Stacie Suhrbur - Join us for free exploration in the art room.  We have billions of cool materials for you to use to create your own masterpiece.  Stations will include painting, scratch art, sculpting material, yarn art and collage.  This session's unique art activity will be pop-up cards; suddenly a figure comes alive by leaping out at you.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

E26 - "The knee bone is connected to the ... " - Jen Pontoriero - ....and other games and exercises "connected" to the body. Have fun learning how your heart, muscles, and bones work!!!  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-10.

E27 - Hands-On Science  - This ongoing workshop will have fun-filled scientific exploration.  We'll have four stations:  the competition corner, Rube Goldberg creative play, a make-and-take project, and the Lego building area.  We will also have occasional demonstrations of scientific principles.  The make-and-take will be straw structures, and we will compete to make the best parachute.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

E28 - Signing Songs - Tamara Martinez - Come sing and begin learning sign language with us! Learning through songs helps with memorization and makes practicing easy. Parents welcome.  Ages 4-7.

E29 - Jacob's Ladders - Susan Golland - Join Des Plaines History Center to make your own wooden Jacob's Ladder and learn the history behind the toy.  Ages 7-10.

E30 - Cork Flingin' Catapults - Jim Mueller - The fling is the thing!  With nothing but popsicle sticks, tape, corks and a sense of purpose can you be the top flinger of the day?!  Do you have what it takes to make the best cork catapult?  Come join us as we "siege the day"!  Ages 7-10.

E31 - Lego Robotics - Meg Edwards - Learn how to build a robot using the Lego Mindstorms and program it to move around obstacles.  Ages 7-20.

E32 - Junior Master Gardener - Anne Gauchuhi - In this workshop, learn about plants and the environment, relating gardening to nature and healthy eating. Activities presented by Anne Gauchuhi will include paper towel gardening and plant people.  Ages 7-10.

E33 - Egypt Unwrapped - Andy Hershberger - Prepare a mummy for its journey to the afterlife.  You'll explore the traditions and beliefs of ancient Egypt as you recreate sacred objects and treasures of this ancient civilization.  Ages 7-10.

E34 - Pirate Party - Piratitude! - Portia O'Laughlin - Ahoy Matey!  It's time to set sail for a swashbuckling adventure.  Master your piratitude, talk like a pirate and look like one too.  Make yerself a jollyboat and build a mighty fine crew.  Ages 7-13.

E35 - Preteen Club - A great place to meet other homeschoolers your age.  Make new friends while enjoying activities such as board games, card games, hanging out, and crafts.  Video gaming will be available.  Ages 9-13.

E36 - LAN Party - George Carpenter - Come and join a LAN Party!  Four X-Boxes will be networked together so we can play games such as Stars Wars Battlefront 2, or equivalent teen rated games as a 16-person party.  Experience with X-Box helpful, but not required.  Ages 10-13.

E37 - Faerie Houses (are not for sissies!) - Georgia Kmetz and Annie Max - What is a faerie house?  A gentle way to make three-dimensional art that is beautiful, functional and kind to our planet.  Build a faerie house, faerie boat, faerie playground, faerie walking stick, faerie - well, you get the idea.  Rules for building, examples of techniques and materials provided.  We’ll get you started, but mostly it’s up to you, the creator of your unique faerie habitat.  Ages 10-13.

E38 - Magic: the Gathering - Jonathan Harper - Magic: the Gathering fanatics will find a home here.  Come ready to play.  Never played before?  Don't worry - instruction is available.  Ages 10-20.

E39 - Airbrushing T-Shirts - Rob Puhl - Have you ever wanted to try airbrushing?  Get hands-on experience while creating your own t-shirt.  Beginners welcome.  Just bring your enthusiasm.  Ages 10-20.

E40 - Herbal First Aid - Teri Heinichen Owens - Be prepared for all of your on-the-go adventures this summer. In this hands-on class you will make your own herbal first aid kit using four different traditional medicine-making methods. Create your own custom blends as you learn how to make salve, bug spray and more!  Ages 10-13.

E41 - Teen Hangout - Kick back and hang out with other homeschooled teens while enjoying a variety of board games, card games, crafts, and other activities.  Ages 13-20.

E42 - Glassblown Masterpieces: Chihuly Faux-Glass Bowls - Karolyn Kuehner - Artist Dale Chihuly, an American National Living Treasure, fashions himself a magician - not unlike Harry Houdini. He is recognized for his transformative large-scale environmental glass sculptures. Join us as we create our own faux-glass versions of a smaller form - the nested bowl.  Ages 13-20.

E43 - Favorite Fiction Book Discussion - Barbara Hardin - Come and talk with other reading enthusiasts about your favorite book. You will find others who have read some of your favorite books and will be able to compare notes. And, if you are looking for something new to read, you will hear about new and interesting books. We will put together a list of favorites.  Ages 13-20.

F21 - Romp 'n Play - See A21 for description. 

F22 - Laura Ingalls Wilder:  Crafts from the Prairie - Denise Graf and Laura Berger Gallagher - Join us for crafts from Laura's childhood.  Make a button string, play with paper dolls, make paper bonnets or straw hats and have a snack that Laura would have helped Ma make.  Ages 4-7.

F23 - Buttermaking - Susan Golland - Children will participate in churning butter and then sample the final product.  Susan Golland from the Des Plaines History Center will also talk about other chores children have done throughout history.  Ages 4-7.

F24 - Stranger Danger - Dona Zeffery - An interactive and low-key approach to child safety geared to the younger child.  This is a non-threatening look at possible dangers and the young child's response to those threats. There will be role-playing scenarios and dialogue with children.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-7.

F25 - Hands-On Science - Ivy Rio - This ongoing workshop will have fun-filled scientific exploration.  We'll have four stations:  the competition corner, Rube Goldberg creative play, a make-and-take project, and the Lego building area.  We will also have occasional demonstrations of scientific principles.  The make-and-take will be ooey, gooey and slimy stuff.  We will use ingredients commonly found around the house to make a fantastic mess - silly putty, green goop, and purple slime.  We will compete to make egg vehicles.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

F26 - Galaxy of Art - Stacie Suhrbur - Join us for free exploration in the art room.  We have billions of cool materials for you to use to create your own masterpiece.  Stations will include painting, scratch- art, sculpting material, yarn art and collage.  This session's unique art activity will be a garden fence; sometimes what doesn’t print is the most important part of a picture.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

F27 - Spectacular Spiders - Spring Valley Nature Center - Learn the lifestyle of this remarkable creature by experiencing the spider sensation game, making your own spider web, piecing together a spider and playing bingo.  Ages 7-10.

F28 - W.S.I. -  Wildlife Scene Investigation - Kevin Luby - Come join Kevin Luby from the Willowbrook Wildlife Center and learn how to become a wildlife scene investigator. Using wildlife artifacts and clues, teams will work together to figure out and solve real wildlife mysteries!  Ages 7-10.

F29 - Lego Robotics - Meg Edwards - Learn how to build a robot using  Lego Mindstorms and program it to move around obstacles.  Ages 7-20.

F30 - Golden Rule School Days - Jan Wilt - Travel back in time and discover what it was like to be a student learning in a one room schoolhouse in 1910. How were students expected to behave? How were students disciplined if they did not obey the rules? What other subjects were taught besides reading, writing and arithmetic? Each participant will play the role of a student who attended a one room school in Elk Grove Village.  Ages 7-10.

F31 - Pirate Party - Overboard! - Nancy Connolly and Portia O'Laughlin - No Landlubbers here!  Come "Pass the Pirate Hat", but if yer caught with it, to the sharks you'll go.  Arr!  Ages 7-13.

F32 - Preteen Club - A great place to meet other homeschoolers your age.  Make new friends while enjoying activities such as board games, card games, hanging out, and crafts.  Video gaming will be available.  Ages 9-13.

F33 - Cork Flingin' Catapults - Jim Mueller - The fling is the thing!  With nothing but popsicle sticks, tape, corks and a sense of purpose can you be the top flinger of the day?!  Do you have what it takes to make the best cork catapult?  Come join us as we "siege the day"!  Ages 10-13.

F34 - Everything I Need to Know I Learned From Anime - Arwen Areyzaga - Join our circle for a humorous and "educational" look at Japanese animation and how it equips us to meet all of life's challenges.  Great for the newbie and seasoned otaku alike.  Ages 10-20.

F35 - LAN Party - Patrick Gocek - Come and join a LAN Party!  Four X-Boxes will be networked together so we can play games such as Stars Wars Battlefront 2, or equivalent teen rated games as a 16-person party.  Experience with X-Box helpful, but not required.  Ages 10-13.

F36 - Dodge Ball - Will Suhrbur - Come play this traditional American game, but you have to know the 5 D’s of dodgeball: dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge (Patches, A True Underdog Story).  Ages 10-20.

F37 - Airbrushing T-Shirts - Rob Puhl - Have you ever wanted to try airbrushing?  Get hands-on experience while creating your own t-shirt.  Beginners welcome.  Just bring your enthusiasm.  Ages 10-20.

F38 - Trivia Game Show - Natasha Gordon - How much useless trivia do you know? Well, come and put all of that trivia to work and see if you are the master of trivia.  Ages 10-20.

F39 - Hemp Jewelry - Alice Muciek - Using the basic square knot and spiral knot, we'll turn hemp twine and wooden beads into beautiful bracelets, key chains, ankle bracelets, or necklaces.   These make  really nice gifts for friends and family.  Ages 10-20.

F40 - Teen Hangout - Kick back and hang out with other homeschooled teens while enjoying a variety of board games, card games, crafts, and other activities.  Ages 13-20.

F41 - The Homeschool Filmmaker - A Crash Course in Moviemaking - Richard Stout - Are you a budding Steven Spielberg?  Movies are not just for Hollywood these days.  This workshop takes a look at the film process from script to screen for the novice.  Clips from movies that began as homeschool projects will be used to illustrate techniques including scripting, editing, makeup, stunts, and special effects.  Ages 13-20.

F42 - Jewels of the Gods - Karolyn Kuehner - Join us as we explore Hindu and Buddhist art. We¹ll briefly discuss these traditions, then create unique paper beads and fashion them into a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.  Ages 13-20.

F43 - F.A.T.E. - Jared De Seife - Fantastic Adventures in Tabletop Entertainment, or F.A.T.E., is an easy to learn, paper and dice role playing game. Come with 4 six-sided dice if you have them, paper, and pencil. We will learn how to play this awesome game and run through an adventure.  Ages 13-20.

G21 - Romp 'n Play – See A21 for description. 

G22 - Cooperative Games - Karen Rittle - Come play with us! Karen, Allie, Christopher and Sabrina Rittle want to share lots of fun games with you! Fun and excitement are the main ingredient of this workshop, and the best part is: everyone wins!  Ages 4-7.

G23 - Me, Myself & I - Denise Graf and DeLynn Zielinski - Come have a great time making a life-size version of yourself.  Trace your body and decorate it with lots of great collage materials!  Ages 4-7.

G24 - Shake, Rattle and Blow: All About Earthquakes and Volcanoes - Coleen Davison - How hot is lava?  How big is the biggest volcano?  How powerful is an earthquake?  Are there earthquakes where we live?  We'll answer all these questions and more.  Lots of fun, hands-on experiements in this workshop.  We'll even have "real" erupting volcanoes!  Ages 4-7.

G25 - Hands-On Science - Larry Lochner - This ongoing workshop will have fun-filled scientific exploration.  We'll have four stations:  the competition corner, Rube Goldberg creative play, a make-and-take project, and the Lego building area.  We will also have occasional demonstrations of scientific principles.  The make-and-take will be kaleidoscopes, and we will compete to make the fastest balloon car.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

G26 - Galaxy of Art - Stacie Suhrbur - Join us for free exploration in the art room.  We have billions of cool materials for you to use to create your own masterpiece.  Stations will include painting, scratch art, sculpting material, yarn art and collage.  This session's unique art activity will be go zig-zag, an abstract design made by repeating a simple shape.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

G27 - African Tie Dyeing - Kiela Smith-Upton - Spend this double session with an artist who has traveled to West Africa. Experiment with color, pattern and repetition in textiles as you tie-dye your own t-shirt.  Experience West African geography and culture through travel photos, authentic tie-dye fabrics, map observation and learning how to wrap fabric into clothing. A feast for the mind and senses!!!  This is a double session.  Please also sign up for H29.  Ages 7-20.

G28 - Self-Defense - Dona Zeffery - This workshop is a hands-on program to help children realize their options in a dangerous situation. Emphasis will be placed on how to stay out of bad situations and how to avoid confrontations. Participants will be encouraged to try various self-defense techniques on each other and/or the instructor. Any child that has any physical limitations should inform the instructor before the workshop begins.  Ages 7-13.

G29 - Lego Robotics - Meg Edwards - Learn how to build a robot using  Lego Mindstorms and program it to move around obstacles.  Ages 7-20.

G30 - W.S.I. -  Wildlife Scene Investigation - Kevin Luby - Come join Kevin Luby from the Willowbrook Wildlife Center and learn how to become a wildlife scene investigator. Using wildlife artifacts and clues, teams will work together to figure out and solve real wildlife mysteries!  Ages 7-10.

G31 - Pirate Party - Shipwrecked! - Portia O'Laughlin - Pieces of eight could be yer fate ... marooned on treasure island.  Make your team buff and more during this no-elimination survivor style treasure hunt challenge.  Ages 7-13.

G32 - Build a Better City - Jillian Snider - Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization whose goal is to educate and inspire young people to succeed in the global economy.  During this interactive workshop students will recognize that a city is a place where people live, work, play, and go to school.  They will use a colorful map and pictures to learn about different city zones.  Then, the students will have the opportunity to build their own city by constructing cardboard buildings and placing them in the correct city zones.  Ages 7-10.

G33 - Box-Making - Bonnie Gullak - Come and learn the art of box-making.  We will be using precise folding skills and colorful materials to create several small decorative boxes for giving gifts or keeping trinkets.  Ages 8-11.

G34 - Preteen Club - A great place to meet other homeschoolers your age.  Make new friends while enjoying activities such as board games, card games, hanging out, and crafts.  Video gaming will be available.  Ages 9-13.

G35 - LAN Party - Come and join a LAN Party!  Four X-Boxes will be networked together so we can play games such as Stars Wars Battlefront 2, or equivalent teen rated games as a 16-person party.  Experience with X-Box helpful, but not required.  Ages 10-13.

G36 - Not Your Grandmother's Embroidery - Karen Wiebe - We'll have fun embroidering some cool and kitschy designs.  No experience needed - come and learn.  Materials provided.  Ages 10-13.

G37 - Fashion Design Project - Karine Bauch - Do you love to draw clothing and models?  Here's your chance for a day in the life of a fashion designer as you create stylish ensembles from a template.  You will be able to design an outfit while considering season, formality, age group, price range and don't forget the accessories (hats, shoes, belts, scarves, and jewelry).  Take home a template and style sheet so you can continue to create an entire collection.  Ages 10-20

G38 - Tape-O-Rama 101 - Georgia Kmetz - Duct tape, mailing tape, electrical tape … just about anything can be fashioned out of this handy and inexpensive material.  Coin purses, masks, small sculptures, even clothing with pockets!  You may be the next master of stick and style.  Sound like fun?  Ages 10-20.

G39 - Boom Whackers - Sharon and Shara and Cassie Welter - Come learn about these colored tubes that can actually make music.   You'll learn about their origin and how they are made.  After that we will play several songs and play fun games.  Ages 10-20.

G40 - Teen Hangout - Kick back and hang out with other homeschooled teens while enjoying a variety of board games, card games, crafts, and other activities.  Ages 13-20.

G41 - Dungeons and Dragons Adventures - Jared De Seife - Dungeon Master, Jared de Seife, will be running a 3rd edition D&D adventure in the teen room all afternoon. Come play this classic paper and dice role-playing game from character creation until whenever the group wants to end.  This is a double session.  You must also register for H42.  Ages 13-20.

G42 - Herbal First Aid - Teri Heinichen Owens - Be prepared for all of your on-the-go adventures this summer. In this hands-on class you will make your own herbal first aid kit using four different traditional medicine making methods. Create your own custom blends as you learn how to make salve, bug spray and more!  Ages 13-20.

G43 - Mandala Art - Susan Barker - Create your own sacred circle and interpret the subconscious messages it reveals.  Ages 13-20.

H21 - Romp 'n Play  - See A21 for description.

H22 - Folk Dancing - Karen Rittle - Come dance with us! Karen, Allie, Christopher and Sabrina Rittle know lots of dances that are easy to learn and fun to do! We will sing a little, dance a lot and come away having learned some new movements.  Ages 4-7.

H23 - Books, Music and Fingerplays - DeLynn Zielinski - Come listen to some stories, act out and pretend to be characters from fingerplays and dance to some early childhood favorites. At the end, children can make their own books/journals to take home.  Ages 4-7.

H24 - Hands-On Science - Rob Puhl - This ongoing workshop will have fun-filled scientific exploration.  We'll have four stations:  the competition corner, Rube Goldberg creative play, a make-and-take project, and the Lego building area.  We will also have occasional demonstrations of scientific principles.  The make-and-take will be a buzzing bee on a string, and we will compete to build an earthquake-proof city.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

H25 - Galaxy of Art - Stacie Suhrbur - Join us for free exploration in the art room.  We have billions of cool materials for you to use to create your own masterpiece.  Stations will include painting, scratch art, sculpting material, yarn art and collage.  This session's unique art activity will be melting; turning old crayons into stained glass.  Children under six must be chaperoned.  Ages 4-13.

H26 - Let's Play Dress-up! - Tamara Martinez - Dress up and join us for a fun costume parade.  We have all kinds of costumes, hats, wigs, and props for boys and girls to try on for size.  Ages 4-7.

H27 - Lego Windup Cars - Jake and Erik Wachlin and William and Dan Magner - Come build and race Lego windup cars.  In this workshop, children will work to discover how wheel size and power affect speed and distance.  Ages 7-10.

H28 - So That's What's In There - Gregory Jaxon and Gene Blome - Do you like to work with your hands? Have you ever wanted to "disassemble" things in your house? Well, now's your chance! Take apart regular household appliances and other items just to see what's in there.  Bring a small set of tools.  Ages 7-100.

H29 - African Tie Dyeing - Kiela Smith-Upton - Continued double session with an artist that has traveled to West Africa. Experiment with color, pattern and repetition in textiles as you tie-dye your own t-shirt.  Experience West African geography and culture through travel photos, authentic tie dye fabrics, map observation and learning how to wrap fabric into clothing. A feast for the mind and senses!!! You must also register for G27.  Ages 7-20.

H30 - Art in 3D - Diane Keen - Learn amazing new techniques to design game pieces, manipulatives, decorative objects and embellishments for creative projects using artist secrets to create a wide variety of 3D projects.  Ages 7-20.

H31 - Pirate Party - Treasure Chest Mystery - Portia O'Laughlin - Rubies, emeralds, or gold?  Bluebeard, Anne Bonnie, or Captain Jack? What's in the chest and who put it there?  If you like to play the game "Clue",  you'll love this Pirate who-dun-it.  Ages 7-13.

H32 - Lego Robotics - Meg Edwards - Learn how to build a robot using  Lego Mindstorms and program it to move around obstacles.  Ages 7-20.

H33 - Box-Making - Bonnie Gullak - Come and learn the art of box-making.  We will be using precise folding skills and colorful materials to create several small decorative boxes for gift giving or keeping trinkets.  Ages 8-11.

H34 - Preteen Club - A great place to meet other homeschoolers your age.  Make new friends while enjoying activities such as board games, card games, hanging out, and crafts.  Video gaming will be available.  Ages 9-13.

H35 - First Aid - Dona Zeffery - This is a practical look at possible emergencies that may be encountered by anyone, and the safest response to them. Participants will be given many possible scenarios and discuss the best action to be taken. This will be a great workshop for anyone who will be responsible for caring for younger children.  Ages 10-13.

H36 - Build a Geodesic Clubhouse - Ivy Rio - Geodesic domes are made of interlocking geometric shapes, often triangles.  Because loads are spread over many triangles, these domes are especially strong.  Now you can learn how to make a geodesic dome you can play in, using newspaper, a stapler, and tape.  Ages 10-20.