Hands-on fun for elementary and middle school students. Our Academic Enrichment Program features classes that improve academic and language skills, develop an appreciation for art and drama, and provide opportunities to explore technology.
These courses offer a unique opportunity to boost interest and understanding in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) topics in exciting ways that complement a child's learning. Active and engaging experiences foster a student's natural curiosity and stimulate learning and problem-solving.
COD Youth Academy is fun and engaging, with the instructional quality and academic standards you expect from College of DuPage.
2024 Fall Enrichment Courses
Youth Academy offers engaging enrichment classes for grades 3 to 8 at the Glen Ellyn Campus.
Classes are offered during after-school times, weekday afternoons and Saturdays.
Grades 3 to 5
Global Explorers: Holiday Traditions
Discover the wonders of cultural diversity and the joy of celebration. This classroom journey will take students around the globe to learn about special celebrations. From dancing dragons during Chinese New Year to decorated sugar skulls for Día de los Muertos, students will enjoy fun activities, stories, and crafts that bring global holidays to life. Instructor: Rachel Diaz
Saturday, Dec. 7 and 14
9 to 11 a.m.
YEEL-0001-004, $49
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Grades 6 to 8
Global Explorers: Holiday Traditions
Discover the wonders of cultural diversity and the joy of celebration. This classroom journey will take students around the globe to learn about special celebrations. From dancing dragons during Chinese New Year to decorated sugar skulls for Día de los Muertos, students will enjoy fun activities, stories, and crafts that bring global holidays to life. Instructor: Rachel Diaz
Saturday, Dec. 7 and 14
11:15 a.m. to 1:15p.m.
YEMS-0001-004, $49
2025 Spring Enrichment Courses
Youth Academy offers engaging enrichment classes for grades 3 to 8 at the Glen Ellyn Campus.
Classes are offered during after-school times, weekday afternoons and Saturdays.
Grades 3 to 5
ASL for Kids
Join an engaging introductory course designed for young learners who are eager to
acquire beginning American Sign Language (ASL) skills. Students will participate in
fun games and activities designed to
make learning ASL enjoyable and memorable, build communication skills and explore
Deaf culture in this interactive class. Instructor: Maggie Lawson
Tuesday, Feb. 4 to March 25
4 to 5:30 p.m.
YEEL-0001-009, $129
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Branch Quest: Understanding the U.S. Government
Join a fun and interactive course focused on the three branches of the U.S. government: legislative, executive and judicial. Discover what each branch does, their individual importances and how they work together. Students will also have an opportunity to compare the structure of the U.S. government with others around the world. Instructor: Niki Karpenski
Saturday, April 5 to May 3 (no class April 19)
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
YEEL-0001-007, $99
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Creative Writing
Discover the joy of writing, intrigue of language and confidence of authorship. Students learn to write stories and personal narratives, along with other creative forms. Instructor: Niki Karpenski
Saturday, Feb. 1 to 22
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
YEEL-0001-012, $85
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Drawing With Colored Pencils and Pastels
Gain an introduction to drawing using colored pencils or pastel chalk. Experiment with light and dark color combinations to create depth, highlights and contrast to bring your images to life! Practice drawing objects, animals and backgrounds, then put everything together to make a composition piece. Instructor: Timothy Campbell
Saturday, March 1 to 22
9 to 11:30 a.m.
YEEL-0002-052, $119
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Global Explorers: A Journey Through Cultures
Adventure awaits! Enjoy learning about the cultures, languages and histories of the many places this course will visit in a classroom journey through the world’s seven continents. Instructor: Rachel Diaz
Saturday, Feb. 1 to March 1
9 to 11 a.m.
YEEL-0001-003, $129
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Global Explorers: School Days
Discover how children learn and play in different countries! This fun and interactive class will explore what schools look like in faraway places and learn about different traditions and unique ways students go to school around the globe. Instructor: Rachel Diaz
Saturday, March 15 and 22
9 to 11 a.m.
YEEL-0001-004, $49
On campus in Glen Ellyn
LEGO® Robotics Workshop
Join College of DuPage Engineering Club members to design and build a LEGO® robot and learn to program your creation to move and complete tasks. This unique opportunity gets students working alongside COD Engineering Club members to help build, troubleshoot and program their robots.
Saturday, Jan. 25
9 a.m. to noon
YEEL-0005-002, $49
On campus in Glen Ellyn
LEGO® SPIKE™ Robotics
Design and build with LEGO® SPIKE™ robotics. Students will enjoy working with the newest LEGO® technology as they build and program robots that can complete simple tasks. Instructor: Jay Sternickle
Saturday, March 8 to 22
12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
YEEL-0005-003, $99
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Stop-Motion Video
Create your own stop-motion film using LEGO® figures, dolls, clay or drawings. Students
will create a concept and storyboard, photograph their props and use iMovie to assemble
the images to show motion. Please bring
props on the first day of class. Instructor: Jay Sternickle
Saturday, April 5 to 26 (no class April 19)
12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
YEEL-0002-021, $99
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Grades 6 to 8
ASL for Kids
Join an engaging introductory course designed for young learners who are eager to acquire beginning American Sign Language (ASL) skills. Students will participate in fun games and activities designed to make learning ASL enjoyable and memorable, build communication skills and explore Deaf culture in this interactive class. Instructor: Maggie Lawson
Tuesday, April 8 to May 13
4 to 5:30 p.m.
YEMS-0001-009, $99
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Branch Quest: Understanding the U.S. Government
Join a fun and interactive course focused on the three branches of the U.S. government: legislative, executive and judicial. Discover what each branch does, their individual importance and how they work together. Students will also have an opportunity to compare the structure of the U.S. government with others around the world. Instructor: Niki Karpenski
Saturday, April 5 to May 3 (no class April 19)
10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
YEMS-0001-007, $99
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Character Creation
Learn how professional animators and game designers create characters. Through simple techniques and a drawing program, explore how to make character sheets showcasing unique creatures and people with various expressions and postures. Instructor: Richard Morton
Saturday, April 12 to May 3 (no class April 19)
12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
YEMS-0001-115, $129
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Creative Writing
Discover the joy of writing, the intrigue of language and the confidence of authorship. Students learn to write stories and personal narratives, along with other creative forms. Instructor: Niki Karpenski
Saturday, Feb. 1 to 22
10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
YEMS-0001-012, $85
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Digital Painting
Learn the basics of digital brushes, layer styles and more to create amazing images. Students use either Photoshop or pixlr.com during class and are introduced to a digital drawing pad. Instructor: Richard Morton
Saturday, March 8 to 29
12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
YEMS-0001-105, $99
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Dungeons and Dragons
Join us on a quest for adventure and monster destruction. Use your imagination, create your own character, work as a team and develop group problem-solving skills as you attempt to complete a quest led by the Dungeon Master, Mr. Morty.
Saturday, March 8 to 29
3 to 5:30 p.m.
YEMS-0001-006, $99
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Global Explorers: A Journey Through Cultures
Adventure awaits! Enjoy learning about the cultures, languages and histories of the many places this course will visit in a classroom journey through the world’s seven continents. Instructor: Rachel Diaz
Saturday, Feb. 1 to March 1
11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
YEMS-0001-003, $129
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Global Explorers: School Days
Discover how children learn and play in different countries! This fun and interactive class will explore what schools look like in faraway places and learn about different traditions and unique ways students go to school around the globe. Instructor: Rachel Diaz
Saturday, March 15 and 22
11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
YEMS-0001-004, $49
On campus in Glen Ellyn
Contact Information
Continuing Education
Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 1110
(630) 942-2208
Fax: (630) 942-3785
Email: CE@cod.edu
- Request More Information
- Fall 2024 Class Schedule (all classes)
- Spring 2025 Class Schedule (all classes)
- Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.