Community Resources for Homeschooling Enrichment

The Forest Preserve of Will County (Park District)

Typically, most homeschooling families really like to start within the community when they are looking for enrichment resources–specifically, the park district. The Forest Preserve District of Will County (https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/education-programs/education/) provides first-rate and exceptional learning opportunities. “The Forest Preserve District of Will County offers hands-on learning incorporating science, social studies, history, art, math and language arts. . . Virtual programs, in-school programs and field trips are available Tuesdays through Fridays for your students. Program registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open” (p. 1). You can contact any of the District’s education facilities with questions or for assistance. These facilities are as follows:

• Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon
  • 815-722-9470
• Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Bolingbrook
  • 815-722-4121
• Isle a la Cache Museum, Romeoville
  • 815-722-9301 
• Plum Creek Nature Center, Crete Township near Beecher
  • 708-946-2216
    
    
    If you go on the The Forest Preserve’s (of Will County) website, you can find specific programs offered for homeschools (homeschooling groups as well), field trips, nature education, in-school programs (also applicable to homeschools as well), virtual fields, special needs, and youth interests in general. This is a great place to get started as a means to enrich and/or build your homeschooling activities.

Museums

Another resource homeschooling parents and guardians seem to look for has to do with culture and art. Here homeschooling families might look to museums in Will County. Will County has many museums, but here is a list of a few. Some smaller local historical sites may also offer museum-like experiences.

• The Joliet Area Historical Museum–https://www.jolietmuseum.org/ – Focuses on the history of Joliet and the surrounding area./Features exhibits on local history, culture, and notable figures. The Joliet Area Historical Museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
• The Old Joliet Prison is open daily from 11:00 am -4:00 pm
• The Joliet Railroad Museum is open Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
• The Planinsek Grocery and Meat Market is open Friday, Saturday & Sunday from noon-4:00 pm 
• The Gemini Giant Visitor's Center in Wilmington, IL, Thursday-Monday from noon-6:00 pm
• The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie –Phone: (815) 423-6370/ Email: illinois@tnc.org
  While primarily a natural area, it offers educational programs and visitor information about the region's ecology and history.
• The Will County Historical Society–Phone: (815) 838-5080   - https://willhistory.org/  Located in Lockport, this society preserves and showcases local history through various exhibits and events. The Will County Historical Society exists so that people and organizations may be connected to the rich history of Will County, Illinois

Fox River Academy of Music & Art in Oswego Illinois 

If you are looking for a really homeschooling-friendly and charming classical academy of arts with a hometown feel, you can find a myriad of resources and classes in music and other arts like painting, for example, at this academy. The spirit found at Fox River Academy of Music & Art in Oswego emanated from its inception as a homeschool academy of arts and music. Here both children and adults receive conservatory level instruction that is customized to the student’s and homeschooling family’s idea about the role of music education in the homeschool curriculum and daily life. The school offers opportunities for performance as well as community-based cultural production, camps, and activities. To schedule or just get more information, contact Fox River Academy of Music & Art in Oswego, Illinois (https://www.foxriveracademy.com/ at 1-630-551-4321). This premier and friendly school offers flexible hours, a warm and affirming attitude towards homeschooling and teaches in a way that promotes a non-threatening and creative, family-like atmosphere. 

Allegro Music and Dance Academy

This amazing multi-venue music academy offers not only music, vocal, and instrumental instruction but also focuses on dance. They offer a wide range of opportunities for performance and recitals. Hours are flexible. Most of all the owners are very family oriented in their approach and truly live a philosophy of wanting to teach music to all and provide cultural enrichment for everybody. The studio has its main branch in Lemont, but there are other satellite studios besides–for instance in Bolingbrook. They work quite comfortably with homeschooling families in terms of scheduling and supplementing homeschool curriculums. Music instruction is first-rate but not intimidating or out of touch. Here, students experience teachers who are quite accustomed to working with parents and children regarding choice of genres and a variety of goals. The studio is very cute with almost an ice-cream shop look located in a charming old house that has been renovated in downtown Lemont. Call or contact: Allegro Music and Dance Academy at https://www.allegro-academy.com/about/ or 1-877-ULEARN3.

College of DuPage: Summer Youth Academy

 Youth Academy offers a range of courses, camps, and programs designed for young  learners to high school students. Through continuing education, we provide a fun, supportive environment where youth can explore new interests, develop valuable skills, and prepare for future academic and career success. Contact: Brenda Large at https://www.cod.edu/academics/continuing-education/youth-academy/  or Continuing Education at (630) 942-2208.

Farm and Fiber Arts

Esther’s Place (fiber arts, farm tours) in Big Rock, IL. This enriching and skills-packed connection is worth the visit out to beautiful Big Rock and the surrounding countryside. Esther’s Place is a place where kids and adults alike can learn multiple fiber arts like knitting and weaving as well as experience one-on-one or group workshops with hands-on instruction, farm tours featuring sheep raising and harvesting as well as exposure to hand-dyeing wool. Natasha, owner, founder, and instruction conducts on-site as well as outbound classes and gatherings. Contact: Natasha at https://www.esthersplacefibers.com/