I originally created this post for one of our city’s local publications, but the publisher decided to drop it in favor of more photos of people attending parties. Although the specific locations may be local in nature and of little use to people outside of our small town, I think the advice and ideas for what kids can do over the summer to keep busy and productive is generally useful wherever you live. I hope so, anyway.
Summer is here and your kids are going to be out of school soon. Some of you may have summer-long plans to be out of town; yet others may be sticking around and want to take advantage of all that Highland Park has to offer during the best season of the year. If you are remaining in town and have school-age kids, and want to keep their brains occupied during the 12 weeks they are out of school, there are plenty of great options available in HP to keep them from slipping behind in their studies and to make sure that they are well-prepared for the next school year. Here are just a few fun and brain-worthy things to consider that won’t remind kids of being in a classroom.
The library
Start with the first-rate Highland Park library. https://www.hplibrary.org/
The website is very clear and informative and you can find things for your kids regardless of their age. You might want to set aside a specific time each week when you visit, even if it’s just for a short break during the day. Establishing a routine will help make going to the library something to look forward to for both you and the kids.
The library staff posts a schedule of events along with a calendar. The summer calendar is already chock-full of events that will appeal to all kids regardless of their interests: there are clubs for summer reading, learning and speaking Spanish, and even Minecraft. They also show movies and invite authors, poets, and educators to speak.
Of course the library has an exceptional collection of books and media to check out, selected by the highly trained staff, including databases you can access 24/7 as well as e-books and apps that you can download from the library’s website. Try learning or polishing up on a foreign language with the impressive Mango app. It’s all free and a breeze to access for HP residents.
Art
The Art Center (https://theartcenterhp.org/) offers a variety of classes and workshops in painting, sculpture, photography, as well as such crafts as jewelry-making and ceramics. Children start as early as age five. This is a tremendous community resource and an inviting environment to expand your horizons and develop talent that your kids never knew they had.
Tutoring Centers
If you are interested in more formal learning options to help your kids either get ahead or catch up on what they may have missed during the school year, there are plenty of choices.
Mathnasium http://www.mathnasium.com/highlandpark
This neighborhood learning center is owned and directed by Cynthia Krol, who says they “help kids in grades 2-12 understand math by teaching the way that makes sense to them.” This makes sense to me.
Mindquest Learning http://mindquestlearning.com/contact-us
Mindquest develops individualized learning schedules to help kids with basic subjects—math, science, and writing—as well as test prep and music classes for piano, violin, and guitar.
There are other commercial learning centers in HP that address a variety of needs and interests. However, with any paid-for services, I recommend that you do your own research thoroughly in advance of registering. Opinions will vary depending on personal preferences and experiences. But there are plenty of opportunities to consider, and many of the establishments are run and managed by your neighbors. I’m sure that they all want you and your kids to have the best possible experience.
Outdoor Learning Activities
There is an abundance of outdoor activities, which you can find on the HP Park District’s website: http://www.pdhp.org/.
Be sure to check out what’s happening at the Rosewood Beach Interpretive Center, a stunning structure with commanding views situated at our world-class lake front. You’ll discover a variety of events, lectures, and activities that enhance the enjoyment of one of the best beaches on the north shore. Don’t tell the rest of the world (or even Deerfield residents) that you live in a beach town!
Sunset Valley Golf Club has undergone a major renovation, and promises to become one of Chicago’s best public golfing venues. Check out the highly anticipated re-opening at: http://www.sunsetvalleygolfclub.org/.
What does golf have to do with “learning,” you might ask? My son, who is studying economics and mathematics at Northwestern, and who was on the HPHS golf team, says that golf helped him get better at math—and maybe vice versa. One thing is for sure: you don’t need to know much math to calculate the odds of shooting below 100 if you’re over 60. But that won’t keep me from trying.
