District 218 STEAM Camps reach capacity
A series of summer camps where students in area could learn to build bridges, create Origami, write basic computer code, or construct and program robots have been steadily growing since they were expanded to their current format.
More Top Picks Westinghouse Wpx3200
Several years ago District 218 doubled the number of camps at Eisenhower, Richards, and Shepard high schools, and enrollment has been going up ever since, according to a news release from the district. This summer, for the first time, officials said, administrators needed to create waiting lists for the camps planned by Moraine Valley Community College computer science Professor Larry Langellier
The camps, offered free of charge, feature age-appropriate science, technology, art, engineering, and math activities for students in third through fifth grades and sixth through eighth grades.
The added camps require more staff. Langellier leads activities along with his daughter, Lexi, a doctoral student at Northern Illinois University; one of his MVCC students, Ruby Radosevic, also teaches at the camps.
Big weekend in Midlothian with Garden Walk, Wiffle Ball Championship
Midlothian takes center stage this weekend as the 44th World Wiffle Ball Championships come to town Saturday and the 11th annual Midlothian Garden Walk steps off Sunday.
The Wiffle Ball Championships, a 4-on-4 round robin tournament, kicks off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park, 145th Street and Homan Avenue. Teams that qualify during Saturday’s action will enter the single-elimination tournament from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds from the event benefit the South Suburban Humane Society. A schedule and more information is at https://worldwiffleball.org.
On Sunday, those who aren’t playing backyard ball can view a set of beautiful yards during the Midlothian Garden Walk, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine.
Billed in a news release from the Midlothian Beautification Committee as the largest garden walk in the south suburbs, the event includes access to 16 gardens. Two garden art vendors will be showcasing their wares, and a rain barrel raffle is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tickets for the Garden Walk are $10 and will be sold at the Village Green, 147th Street and Springfield Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will raise funds for the committee’s efforts to beautify Midlothian. More information is at 708-359-9644 or [email protected].
Back to School Health Fair set in Orland Park
Orland Township’s annual Back-To-School Health Fair is planned from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Orland Township’s offices, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park.
Admission to the fair is free. School and sports physicals will be available for $45, or $35 for township residents. Immunizations also will be available. Appointments are required at 708-403-4222. Free services and activities include hair cuts provided by Salon Evangelos, face painting, Oly Farms Petting Zoo, food and beverages and giveaways.
Chalk art event planned July 23 in Homewood
Homewood will host the first Gotts-Chalk the Walk sidewalk chalk art event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 23. The event features sidewalk artistry by local chalk artists, community groups, families, and individuals outside of the historic Gottschalk House, built in 1891, on Martin Avenue in downtown Homewood.
The Village of Homewood hopes Gotts-Chalk the Walk will allow community members to express their artistic passion through sidewalk chalk art and appreciate the talent of their neighbors while enjoying the charm of downtown Homewood, according to a news release from the village.
Artists will begin setting up and chalking from 10 a.m. to noon. Von Poof Cotton Candy will be spinning and serving free cotton candy for event goers from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free face painting will be on-site from noon to 4 p.m. Event goers of all ages can chalk an open area on Martin Avenue. Homewood eateries will be open for event goers to visit and enjoy a bite to eat after viewing unique artwork.
High school diploma tests are free this summer
The Illinois Community College Board is picking up the cost for state residents to earn a State of Illinois High School Diploma (formerly high school equivalency certificate).
Over 1.2 million Illinoisans don’t have a high school diploma. The state grant funding can be used in the form of discount codes to take the tests free of charge.
“People that earn a high school diploma make $600 more a month on average so taking these tests and earning that diploma is a big deal. It can lead to better lives for thousands of Illinoisans and we want to remove as many barriers as possible,” said ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham.
Interested residents can go to FREEGEDIL.ORG
More Top Picks Best Wearable Migraine Devices For Relief
to access the testing site, use the code and take the test.Send news to [email protected].