Nineteen Summer Kids Camps, ranging from outdoor activities to technology to musical lessons, have been scheduled for June and July at Rend Lake College.
Join RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division for some returning camps, back by popular demand, such as Blastoff! and Minecraft. Or, opt for one of the new and exciting camps like The Drone Zone or Art Exploration. All of the following summer camps will be held on the Ina campus.
ABC’s of Digital Photography: for grades 2-6 at $30 per camper
9 a.m. – Noon, Tuesday, July 11 – Wednesday, July 12 in the Vocational Building, Room 104
Join Camp Instructor Jennifer Tarantino Linsin on a scavenger hunt to take photographs of items that look like letters of the alphabet. During this camp, students will discover the basics of photography and Photoshop by creating their name from the letters. Attendees should bring a camera phone or point and shoot camera with them.
Adventures Under the Sea: for grades 1-3 at $60 per camper
9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Advanced Technology Center, Room 163
Through art, literature, and science, travel through the zones of the ocean and discover the varying sea creatures with Camp Instructors Margo Wagner and Joy Fitts.
Art Exploration: $75 per camper
Grades 1-3 meet from 9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 103
Grades 4-6 meet from 1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 103
Experiment with materials and techniques to enhance communication of ideas through art with Camp Instructor Sharon Corn. During this camp, students will explore visual art through make-and-take projects including painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, printmaking, and more.
Bertie Ham’s Chefs of Tomorrow: $60 per camper
Grades 1-3 meet from 1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 in the Student Center, Room 103
Grades 4-6 meet from 9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Student Center, Room 103
Campers will go on a new culinary adventure every day, learning the basics of cooking their own lunches safely. Chef Janet Pearce will lead students through some of Bertie Ham’s famous recipes and students will be taking home samples of their creations.
Kaelee Karcher of McLeansboro, LEFT, and Brooke Harris of Radom, RIGHT, worked together to mix brownie ingredients during the dessert day of Chefs of Tomorrow camp last year. The dozen campers learned the proper techniques to stir, mix, and afterward, clean up, while working in a kitchen.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Blast to the Past: for grades 3-8 at $60 per session
1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 221
Learn about the lives of four famous composers from Camp Instructor April Tennyson. Campers will discover new composers and will assemble a lap book of information on each one, including inventions of the time period, simple instruments to play some of the composer’s music, and much more. No prior musical experience is necessary for this class.
Blastoff!: for grades 4-8 at $75 per camper
1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Historic Schoolhouse
Camp Instructor Greg Hollmann will turn an ordinary summer into another adventure during this ultimate science camp. Blastoff! has new challenges in store for 2017, so don’t worry if you have attended in the past. Participation in this camp will help students in developing a strong sense of self and connection to their environment. Participants will build and launch their own rocket.
Gabriella Buhl of Mt. Vernon, SITTING RIGHT, launched her rocket after a week of preparations in Blastoff! Camp last year. The camp spent most of the last day launching 14 rockets designed and crafted by campers while family and friends cheered.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
The Drone Zone: for grades 4-6 at $100 per camper
1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 at the RLC Rec Center
Join Camp Instructor Chris Edwards in this new summer camp to learn all about drones, including the different parts and piloting a drone.
Garbage Pail Science: for grades 2-5 at $60 per camper
1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Science Building, Room 115
Using only junk and leftover stuff, campers will join Instructor Reba Boyer in creating and learning from science experiments. A folder of handouts will go home with each student to repeat the experiments with loved ones.
Paxton Melvin, LEFT, and Cole Copple, RIGHT, both of Benton, mixed ingredients with cabbage juice to test for acidity during Garbage Pail Science Camp last year. The experiment was just one of dozens where the students had hands-on learning while having fun.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Glider and RC Flight: for grades 4-6 at $60 per camper
1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Historic Schoolhouse
Take flight during this new summer camp with Instructor John Griffin, who will introduce campers to the world of gliders and remote controlled flight. Each student will build a Flite Test Sparrow Glider to compete in challenges. The camp will end with flying RC planes at the flying field, located to the east of campus. Each student will also be signed up for Youth Membership AMA in order to participate in each event.
Junior Law Enforcement Academy: for grades 3-6 at $60 per camper
9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 at the Historic Schoolhouse
Campers will learn what it takes to become a police officer from two of Jefferson County’s finest. Sheriff Travis Allen and Chief Deputy Clint Taylor will show students the different job duties of police officers, and will go over techniques to keeping each other safe. The camp will also include a field trip for a tour of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Mt. Vernon.
Let’s Get Fit!: for grades 2-6 at $40 per camper
9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 at the RLC Rec Center
Participate in countless physical activities during this popular camp with Instructor Tyler O’Daniel. Students should wear play clothes, sunscreen and tennis shoes to camp. Swimwear will be required for Tuesday and Thursday.
Anna Kistner of Scheller gets ready to pitch during a game of kickball in the RLC Rec during last year’s Let’s Get Fit Camp. The goal of the camp for the students and instructor Tyler O’Daniel was to keep moving and the heart rate up.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Martial Arts: for grades 1-8 at $60 per camper
1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 at the RLC Rec Center
Campers will discover martial arts training and improve on their health and coordination with Instructor Gary Douglas in this returning summer camp. Practice basic calisthenics and stretches, and combine all of the techniques to master self-defense. Students should wear loose-fitting clothing and tennis shoes.
Hannah Endsley of Ina practices blocking with Martial Arts Instructor Gary Douglass in the RLC Rec during last year’s Martial Arts Camp. The students learned a number of blocks, punches, kicks, and combinations this week during the always-popular camp.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Minecraft: for grades 4-8 at $75 per camper
9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Vocational Building, Room 130
Explore the fundamentals of design, creation, building, and three-dimensional space through the video game Minecraft with Instructor Matt Jackson. Back by popular demand, this camp will have students developing and modeling structures and landscapes through Minecraft, and then fabricating them with new technologies, such as 3D Printing. Each camper will leave with models of their creations. Students will need to purchase their own Minecraft account for PC prior to camp.
Musikgarten: $30 per session
Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten meet for Cycle of Seasons from 10 – 11 a.m. Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 119
Parents and caregivers can join Camp Instructor April Tennyson in celebrating each child’s growing independence and love of outdoors with musical activities involving the four seasons. Activities will include chanting, singing, moving, focused listening, musical games, exploring musical instruments, creative movement and storytelling.
Zoey Lewis of Mt. Vernon plays several notes on an xylophone during Cycle of Seasons Summer Camp last year. Each student had the chance to play and sing along with songs during the camp.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Family Music ages birth to 3 ½ years will meet for Nature’s Music from 11 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 119
Together with Instructor April Tennyson, campers and parents or caregivers will focus on a new movement activity each day, covering coordination, body awareness and control, exploration of space, and instruments. Sing, chant, move, dance, listen and play simple instruments such as rhythm sticks, jingles, rattles, and drums during this returning camp.
Music Makers Intro to Keyboard: for grades 1-4 at $45 per session
1 – 2 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 221
Campers will enjoy a small group session to learn the basics of playing the keyboard. In this holistic approach to learning, students will learn to play by hearing and reading music with Camp Instructor April Tennyson.
My Buddy and Me Cake Creations!: for grades K-3 at $15 per camper
9 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 13 in the Student Center, Front Dining Area
Camp Instructor Beth Mandrell invites parents and caregivers to join their child in creating cupcakes and participating in activities with a “creative food” theme. Campers will add features to their cakes with icing, cookies, and candies before parading around campus to pass out treats. Students should wear an apron or old shirt.
Students in last year’s My Buddy & Me Cake Creations! Camp walked around the RLC campus to share some of their creations. Pictured is, in alphabetical order, Carter Allen of McLeansboro, Mackenzie Allen of McLeansboro, Bryleigh Birkner of McLeansboro, Kayden Birkner of McLeansboro, Maddie Birkner of McLeansboro, Kallie Corollo of Benton, Makenna Corollo of Benton, Alyssa Roddy of Mt. Vernon, Ava Seavers of West Frankfort, Delany Sloan of Dahlgren, and Kennedy Wise of Benton. Also pictured is Instructor Beth Mandrell.
(RLC Photo)
Stroke and Turn Swim Camp: for grades 1-8 at $30 per camper
1 – 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 – Wednesday, June 21 or Tuesday, July 18 – Wednesday, July 19 in the Aquatics Center Lobby
Swimmers will improve their techniques and efficiency with Camp Instructor Laura Johnston. Using the walls to get the best competitive swim edge over competitors, this camp will focus on proper technique. Plus, each stroke turn will be practiced and refined each day. This camp is designed for those with swim team experience.
Survivors Camp: for grades 4-6 at $60 per camper
9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 at the Historic Schoolhouse
Staff from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will teach the basics of survival in the wild to campers, including how to be prepared and make good decisions. The camp will end with cooking over an open fire on the final day.
Bobby White of Mt. Vernon, FRONT, and JJ VanZandt of DuQuoin, BACK, faced off during a game of ladder ball at Survivor Camp last year. The students spent most of the camp outdoors, learning survival skills and playing lawn games.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Grade level applies to either past or upcoming grade. Payments may be made by check, money order, credit or debit cards, or cash, and must be received at the time of registration. Parents and guardians are responsible for all transportation arrangements to and from camp.
For more information about a camp or to register, contact the RLC Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714.
