District 214 Community Education

Step into the “Magic-al” world of Suri Alpacas at Magic Meadows Alpaca farm near Wonder Lake IL! The farm is home to 12 alpacas including their famous alpaca, Rainier who has appeared on both WGN and Fox TV in Chicago! You will learn about alpacas and how their fleece is known to be the silkiest and softest fiber while being warmer and more lightweight than any other fiber. You’ll also enter the Alpaca’s enclosure to go face to face with these gentle creatures to feed them, sure to bring a smile! You will also be able to shop their collection of products made from the Alpaca fiber such as yarn, hand crochet items and pet beds. Afterward, it’s a short ride to Royal Oak Farm Orchard near Harvard, IL. A highlight of the visit is a fun tractor-drawn wagon ride through the orchards to pick apples while learning the history of the farm, the varieties of apples, the irrigation and pest management systems. You will also discover the importance of bee pollination narrated by one of Royal Oak’s knowledgeable guides. Shop in the Country Market, Apple Barn and Bakery to bring home some tasty treats including cider donuts, and their famous apple cider. A delicious lunch is included at the orchard’s cafeteria-style Country Kitchen Restaurant featuring their famous chicken pot pie!

Chair Yoga is for those who would like to access the benefits of yoga without having to sit, kneel or lie on the floor. This class is done seated in a chair and standing by a chair that can be used for support. Participants may also choose to remain seated for the entire class. We will practice gentle, fluid movements to promote circulation, alignment, flexibility, balance, overall strength and deeper, smoother breathing. Mental effects include mind-body awareness, improved concentration and a sense of well-being. Use of light weights is optional.

Brighten up your autumn evening at this incredible lights festival that has become a Milwaukee area tradition! China Lights is an event that celebrates the art, skill, and beauty of traditional Chinese lantern festivals that have been celebrated across Asia for over 400 years! Held each fall in suburban Milwaukee at the lovely Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park, this after-sundown celebration of Asian life and culture, transforms the Gardens into a magical paradise of dazzling illuminated displays. Dragons, glowing pagodas and iridescent pinwheels are just some of the stunning illuminated sculptures you will see on a ¾ walking path at the gardens. China Lights also features amazing stage performances highlighting Asian folk-culture performances. Cultural display cases in Boerner’s historic Garden House feature replicas of historic Chinese artifacts and a video viewing area showcasing China’s beauty. Before our visit to China Lights enjoy a dinner at the Steakout Restaurant Restaurant in nearby Greendale, WI

Come explore Chicago’s rich Holiday traditions with CET! After a late morning departure our first stop is to see a tradition dating back to 1942 as we visit the Museum of Science & Industry’s “Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light.” See the museum's grand 45-foot tree which graces the Museum rotunda covered with more than 30,000 twinkling lights and surrounded by more than 50 smaller Christmas trees carefully decorated to represent countries and cultures from around the world. This sparkling display and festival of trees is a true immersion into Christmas! Each tree has a description about the decorations and the customs of that country. Next we enjoy a late lunch/early dinner at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, the highly acclaimed fine dining restaurant originally a Romanesque Revival firehouse built in 1905. Afterward, we stop at the colorful Christkindlmarket, Chicago’s enchanting and inviting holiday village where you can shop for holiday gifts and crafts at the large open-air Christmas Festival. Top off the evening with a Christmas Lights drive see the Magnificent Mile, the holiday window displays at Macy’s and Millennium Park to see Chicago’s official Christmas Tree!

Students will explore the acoustic side of the classic rock era, from Clapton and the Eagles to the Beatles and Rolling Stones. We will learn chords, riffs, arrangements, and jam together-forming our own unplugged ensemble. Students of all levels are welcome; basic chord knowledge recommended. Must provide own instrument.

Core Aquatics is a competitive swim team for swimmers ages 6 years old and older. We believe in starting from the foundation and focusing on stroke proficiency while incorporating all racing aspects. The team centers on maximizing efficiency as the foundation to competitive racing and building speed through technique precision. Please note: All swim team members must also be members of USA Swimming. Membership applications will be provided by Core Aquatics; there is an $87 per year additional fee for the annual membership. Orange Squad This is the first introduction to swim team and racing. Proper mechanics are required with an emphasis on racing and competing. Open to graduates from our Swim Team Prep program or swimmers who can demonstrate ability to swim all four competitive strokes as well as show confidence diving from blocks. Blue Squad The Blue Squad focuses on stroke technique and endurance as key aspects for advancing all four competitive strokes. Open to former Core Aquatics Orange Squad members or swimmers who can demonstrate an ability to legally swim all four competitive strokes for 50+ yards, including proper turns and diving off the blocks. Silver Squad The Silver Squad features continued race training and development of advanced swim techniques for junior high-aged and advanced younger swimmers. Open to former Core Aquatics Blue Squad members or swimmers who can demonstrate an ability to legally swim all four competitive strokes for 100+ yards, including proper turns and diving off the blocks. Must be able to swim 1000+ yards of freestyle nonstop. Primarily a 12-14-year-old age group. Navy Squad The elite Navy Squad is for senior level and advanced swimmers training for success at the high school level and beyond. This level is based on invitation only from the Head Coach and requires additional commitment to training and dryland opportunities. Open to former Core Aquatics Silver members or swimmers who have experience swimming on their high school varsity team. Must commit to 90% practice attendance per week, on time arrival for all practices and commitment to train at a high level for the duration of the season. Please click here for our Summer 2025 Information Packet

This class focuses on water adjustment, float, and breathing all while building water confidence in new swimmers. Each swimmer will progress through our robust curriculum individualized to their own skill level. We maintain a 3:1 swimmer to instructor ratio at our lower levels and 4:1 ratio in our last 3 levels. Through our program: Swimmers will develop comfort with water on their face, submersion, and moving through the water on their own. Swimmers will learn to rise and float on both their fronts and backs and will eventually incorporate kicking and movement. Swimmers will be introduced to breathing techniques while maintaining the float position and breathing comfortably and without ease. Swimmers will master strong propulsion for recreation and pre-competitive swimming. Swimmers will learn basic water safety and the dos/don’ts of recreational swimming. Upon completion of our seven-level program your swimmer will be able to complete 50 yards of freestyle with technical proficiency, 25 yards of backstroke with technical proficiency, 25 yards of breaststroke with technical proficiency, and 12.5 yards of butterfly with technical proficiency. Each of our 7 levels incorporates a series of primary and secondary skills that ready our swimmers for the next level. We maintain records using a progress report that outline specific skills necessary to master prior to moving to the next level.

Our Core Aquatics Water Polo summer season is focused on developing newcomers as well as more seasoned players who want to gain knowledge, technique, and skills. Coaches will divide players up based on age and skill level groupings while using drills and practice routines aligned with the best practices to help prepare athletes for success. Age Group joint practices and scrimmages are being coordinated with neighboring teams with the possibility of games through AWP. High School Groups will play American Water Polo (AWP) league games on Wednesday evenings so please note times might change on Wednesdays depending on our game schedule. Final summer game schedule has not yet been determined. High School Boys and Girls Wednesday's are dedicated to game days. All Wednesday meetings will happen at Prospect High School. Times will very between 5 and 9pm. Your coaches will update you on game times weekly. Final summer game schedule has not yet been determined.

Do you enjoy yarn crafts? Would you like a place to work on projects with other crafters? Join our Crochet and Knit club where you can make friends and share ideas and tips along the way! Some experience/knowledge is required. Our facilitator is experienced in crochet. She will be happy to answer questions, or help you find someone in the class that might be able to help. This is not a class for beginners that need direct instruction. Please note our regular Crochet & Knitting class with Zee Wang will be back in the future.

An unforgettable adventure awaits on the Sainte Genevieve riverboat as we sail on the Illinois River between Starved Rock State Park and Ottawa, IL! The Sainte Genevieve riverboat is one of North Central Illinois newest attractions to sail on one of the most scenic stretches the river has to offer. The 3-hour cruise departs from Starved Rock State Park and travels upriver to historic downtown Ottawa. Along the way we’ll sail beneath legendary Starved Rock and through the locks where you will witness the fascinating process of locking through as you’ll marvel at this impressive engineering feat while learning about river transportation. The relaxing cruise gives you the chance to see the natural beauty and hear the stories of the river’s history. Before we board the Sainte Genevieve, we are treated to a great lunch at the Starved Rock State Park Lodge, built in the 1930s, featuring its iconic log walls and two-sided stone fireplace, overlooking the park.

A fun day is in store at Chicago’s newest attraction, Flyover Chicago! Located at Navy Pier, Flyover Chicago captures your imagination and engages your senses as you virtually soar over, under, around and through the city’s most epic places! Motion seats, scents, mists and music work together to capture the feeling of flight as you explore Chicago from above in a 360-degree theater experience. Afterwards, enjoy a taste of the islands at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Grill with its backdrop of Lake Michigan and the festive activities of Navy Pier. Later visit the *Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to tour the Money Museum. The museum, a Tripadvisor's Travelers’ Choice Award winner for 2024 features an educational video on the vital role the bank plays in our economy. Among the fun interactive displays you can put your skills to the test by spotting counterfeit bills, and see what a million dollars really looks like up close!