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Youth Enrichment
Welcome to Youth Enrichment! Valpo Parks is thrilled to have you join our programming to broaden your child's skills and talents. These classes are designed for students grades K-12 to explore courses and activities from literature, art, STEM learning and more.
We encourage you to explore more opportunities for your youngsters ages 2 - 5 years old through Discovery Cottage. Summer fun is also available through Discovery Day Camp for ages 5 - 14.
Art & Literature 
STEM Learning
Our one hour classes explore architecture, engineering and technology concepts using LEGO Bricks. Students work hands-on to design and build machines, buildings and other constructions. Recommend reading level 1.
Program Details
- Ages: 5 - 8
- Dates: Tuesdays, April 11 - May 2
- Time: 5:45 - 6:45 pm
- Location: Banta Activity Center
- Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
Learn the basics of coding with Scottie Go! Scottie the friendly alien who crash landed on Earth and needs help collecting the parts to his spaceship. Students will work together to guide him through his adventure and complete objectives in this fun augmented reality game.
Program Details
- Age: 6 - 10
- Dates: Thursdays, August 10 - 31
- Times: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
- Location: Banta Activity Center
- Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
Join us in the electronics lab at Valparaiso University College of Engineering to learn how sound works and how to change it. This class will also teach how popular audio effects are created (including hidden messages!). Students should bring their phone or music player for this hands-on class taught by a VU professor.
Program Details
- Age: 13 - 18
- Dates: Mondays, April 3 - 24
- Times: 5:00 - 6:00 pm
- Location: Valparaiso University-Gellersen Engineering Center
- Fee: $60 Resident / $72 Non-Resident
Valpo Parks is partnering with Valparaiso University College of Engineering to introduce students to different printing machines and technology. Led by a VU Professor of Engineering, laser cutting technology and its uses will also be covered in this one-day class.
Program Details
- Age: 13 - 18
- Dates: Wednesday, February 22 or Friday, February 24
- Time: 4 - 5 pm
- Location: Valparaiso University-Gellersen Engineering Center
- Fee: $60 Resident / $72 Non-Resident
Dance Classes
Learn the popular party line dances from electric slide to cupid shuffle, along with lines dances to country music and pop music. Whether your dancing shoes are cowboy boots or sneakers, any shoe will do.
Session I
- Age: 9 - 18
- Dates: Wednesdays, April 5 - 26
- Times: 6:30 - 7:30 pm
- Location: Banta Activity center
- Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
Session II
- Age: 9 - 18
- Dates: Wednesdays, October 4 - 25
- Times: 6:30 - 7:30 pm
- Location: Banta Activity center
- Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
Specialty Classes
Stay active with Valpo Parks and Perpetual Motion as we team up to train ninjas! Learn basic parkour and take a turn on our slackline as we introduce new challenges weekly.
Program Details
- Age: 5 - 8
- Dates: Tuesdays, September 5 - 26
- Times: 5 - 6 pm
- Locations: September 5 &12 at Bicentennial Park
Sept 19 & 26 at Westside Park - Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
Freshen up for spring with Valpo Parks! This spa is for everyone who would like to pamper themselves and their dolls. We will polish up our dolls and our nails, go over hairstyles and enjoy some light refreshments with a craft. Each student should bring a doll of their choice.
Program Details
- Age: 5 - 12
- Dates: Sunday, March 19
- Times: 2 - 3:30 pm
- Location: Banta Activity Center
- Fee: $70 Resident / $82 Non-Resident
Join this squad for action and adventure. Each week the teams change and a new game is introduced. You bring the Nerf gun, and we'll bring the rest.
Session I
- Age: 9 - 12
- Dates: Thursdays, February 2 - 23
- Times: 5 - 6 pm
- Location: Banta Activity Center
- Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
Session II
- Age: 9 - 12
- Dates: Mondays, November 6 - 27
- Times: Mondays, 5 - 6 pm
- Location: Banta Activity Center
- Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
Learn the top 7 rules every magician knows. Learn how to misdirect your audience. Learn tricks you can do with everyday items or a few magical props. Magician Steve Kellogg will teach you how to amaze an audience with simple but effective tricks and skills.
Session I
- Age: 9 - 12
- Dates: Wednesdays, March 1 - 22
- Times: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
- Location: Banta Activity Center
- Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non Resident
Session II
- Age: 9 - 12
- Dates: Wednesdays, October 2 - 30 *No class October 16
- Times: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
- Location: Banta Activity Center
- Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non Resident
Do you enjoy solving the clues and riddles of an escape room? Join us as we gather and play Escape Room: The Game. Each week will be a different game room.
Program Details
- Age: 9 - 12
- Dates: Mondays, September 11 - 25
- Times: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
- Location: Banta Activity Center
- Fee: $65 Resident / $77 Non-Resident
Bring your doll and join us at Rogers Lakewood for an evening of food and fun. Learn how to make a fire, cook a pie iron pizza, and swap silly stories.
Program Details
- Age: 9 - 12
- Dates: Friday, September 15
- Times: 6 - 8 pm
- Location: Hickory Grove Shelter at Rogers Lakewood Park
- Fee: $70 Resident / $82 Non-Resident
Learn how to make molded chocolates using only a microwave. This class is for those who love chocolate.
Program Details
- Age: 9 - 12
- Dates: Tuesdays, November 7 - December 5 *No class November 21
- Times: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
- Location: Banta Activity Center
- Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
Are you an outdoor enthusiast? This class will give students a good foundation for primitive and modern survival techniques. Each set of classes will teach skills according to the age level of the students.
Session I
- Age: 9 - 12
- Dates: April 18 - May 9
- Times: Tuesdays, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
- Location: Hickory Grove Shelter at Rogers-Lakewood Park
- Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
Session II
- Age: 13 - 18
- Dates: October 3 - 24
- Times: Tuesdays, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
- Location: Hickory Grove Shelter at Rogers-Lakewood Park
- Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
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Katie Ridinger
Youth Enrichment DirectorPhone: 219-462-5144 ext 6314