Park District Programs held in your Child's School

Afterschool Enrichment Programs begin the week of April 22-May 23

The Afterschool Enrichment Program is for students who attend Hawthorn School District 73 Elementary schools. The Park District holds recreational programs in each of the elementary schools for students in grades K-5 to enjoy when their school day ends.

Aspen - Townline/Dual Language - Hawthorn North - Hawthorn South

Hawthorn School for Young Learners

Programs begin when the school day ends and are one hour of creativity and fun!
Students may only attend enrichment classes offered in the school they attend.
Teachers are given rosters of the students enrolled in each session.
Care is taken to ensure that each child reaches his or her respective after school class with the instructor taking attendance.
PALS participants can join too! Register for an Afterschool Enrichment class and join the PALS program after class ends.

Join us and learn a variety of real art tricks and techniques that will take any artist to the next level! Each lesson teaches different art techniques, but all lessons are a ton of fun!

Survival in Space

Many of us gaze upon the night sky in wonder and love hearing about new discoveries in our universe. We will ‘Dare Mighty Things’ (NASA’s motto) and play games that teach about the Apollo Programs and how the Artemis missions will extend to goals of inhabiting the moon. We’ll also check out the experiments on the ISS and JWST. Who knows? Maybe this will inspire our future astronauts! Materials are supplied.

A one-of-a-kind curriculum that ensures children are challenged, but not frustrated, while learning the game of chess. Instructors utilize creative chess games, songs, dances, and technology in their curriculum. Strategic chess playing leads to increased focus, concentration, critical thinking skills, and improved math and reading scores.

Our professional chef instructors guide kid chefs by providing safe, entertaining, hands-on learning throughout the class, but it’s the kid chefs who do the prepping and cooking! Our class sessions are a blast for all ages! When kids get to touch the ingredients and have a hand in creating their food, they’re much more willing to try new foods. We provide all of the ingredients, tools, and instruction needed to cook up delicious, healthy and hearty after-school snacks.

PALS 2024/2025 School Year Registration begins April 16, 2024

PALS is designed to provide positive before and after school activities for elementary students within a safe, secure, and enriching environment.
Under the supervision of our trained and qualified leadership staff, your child will have the opportunity to engage in education and recreation activities geared to the interest of the participants.
All activities are designed to foster teamwork, health and wellness, positive attitudes, and self-esteem.
PALS Hours: AM begins at 6:30 am, PM ends at 6 pm

PALS Locations

PALS North: Students attending Hawthorn North and Townline Dual Language Schools

PALS South: Students attending Hawthorn South and Aspen Elementary

PALS Kindy: Students attending Hawthorn School for Young Learners

LEARN More about the PALS Program

REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 16 for 2024/25 School Year

Join the PALS Team! NOW HIRING for PALS part-time Instructors for the current school year through May, 2024 $100 Hiring Bonus! Click here to learn more and apply.

The Vernon Hills Park District provides a safe summer day camp experience for the children of our community. We offer early childhood camps for 3-6 years in addition to camps for grades K-8. Most camps are 1-week in duration with an extended care option. Click on the link below to learn about all of the Park District's summer day camps.

LEARN More about Day Camps Plus REGISTER

Early Bird Season Pass Sales until April 30th - SAVE 10%

Visit Turtle Creek Waterpark 6 times (the value of a resident season pass) and enjoy the waterpark for the remainder of summer for free!

Opening Day is June 1 - August 11

LEARN More plus PURCHASE SEASON PASS

Vernon Hills Park District

vhparkdistrict.org