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.
Meet the Youth Academy team, explore offerings and find the perfect program to ignite your child’s passion and potential.
Fall 2026 Youth Classes
NEW: Classes at Naperville and Westmont Centers
This fall, students can learn, create and explore right here at the College of DuPage Naperville Center. Whether your student loves technology, creativity, engineering or solving challenges, there's something to spark their curiosity and keep them learning beyond the school day.
Registration is open and classes will fill up fast. Call (630) 942-2208 or Enroll.
Grades 3 to 5
Minecraft-Style Self Portrait
Create a Minecraft-style self-portrait using grid-based pixel art, explore cartooning and storytelling, and take home an original storybook featuring your portrait and characters.
Saturdays, Oct. 3 to 24 (no class Oct. 10)
9 to 11 a.m.
YEEL-0001-111, $79
Naperville Center
Escape Room Challenge
Put your problem-solving skills to the test as you crack codes, solve riddles and tackle creative puzzles in this fast-paced Escape Room Challenge.
Saturdays, Nov. 7 and 14
10 a.m. to noon
YEEL-0005-501, $49
Naperville Center
Grades 3 to 7
Cookie Artist Workshop "Boo-kie" Edition
Get creative and satisfy your sweet tooth as you learn cookie-decorating techniques by creating delicious cookies to take home.
Saturday, Oct. 10
12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
YEEXC-0001-111, $49
Naperville Center
Grades 6 to 8
Drone Pilot Academy
Learn safe, responsible drone operation while working toward FAA TRUST certification and developing hands-on skills in piloting, robotics, cybersecurity and drone communication technology.
Mondays, Oct. 19 to Nov. 9
4 to 6 p.m.
YEMS-0005-024, $89
Naperville Center
Tech Explorers: Design, Code & Create
Build practical technology skills through fun, hands-on digital projects using Google tools, digital art, beginner coding and creative problem-solving.
Wednesdays, Nov. 4 to Nov. 18
6 to 7:30 p.m.
YEMS-0005-012, $49
Naperville Center
From Parts to Power: Engineering a Remote-Control Car
Build and test a fully functional remote-control car while developing hands-on engineering skills in tool use, schematics, problem-solving, and mechanical and electrical systems.
Saturday, Nov. 7
9 a.m. to noon
YEMS-0005-022, $69
Naperville Center
For more information, call (630) 942-2208 or email youthacademy@cod.edu.
This fall, students can learn, create and explore right here at the College of DuPage Westmont Center. Whether your student loves technology, creativity, engineering or solving challenges, there's something to spark their curiosity and keep them learning beyond the school day.
Registration is open and classes will fill up fast. Call (630) 942-2208 or Enroll.
Grades 3 to 5
Escape Room Challenge
Put your problem-solving skills to the test as you crack codes, solve riddles and tackle creative puzzles in this fast-paced Escape Room Challenge.
Saturdays, Oct. 17 and 24
10 a.m. to noon
YEEL-0005-502, $49
Westmont Center
Grades 3 to 7
Felt Friends Workshop: Create, Stitch and Gift
Bring creativity to life and learn basic hand-sewing skills while designing and creating a festive winter-themed stuffed project to take home.
Mondays, Nov. 30 to Dec. 14
3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
YEEXC-0002-222, $79
Westmont Center
Grades 6 to 8
From Parts to Power: Engineering a Remote-Control Car
Build and test a fully functional remote-control car while developing hands-on engineering skills in tool use, schematics, problem-solving, and mechanical and electrical systems.
Saturday, Oct. 17
9 a.m. to noon
YEMS-0005-011, $69
Westmont Center
For more information, call (630) 942-2208 or email youthacademy@cod.edu.
Programs for All Ages
The Elementary Excellence program offers summer classes offered from third to fifth grade for academically gifted students scoring in the ninetieth percentile.
Please note: The Talent Search program has transitioned to serve grades 3 to 5 through Elementary Excellence programming and grades 6 through 8 in Junior High Achievers programming.
Classes offered at the main campus in Glen Ellyn.
High achieving students are invited to enroll in Junior High Achievers a summer program designed to engage them in high school-level coursework alongside their peers. Classes are structured to reflect high school standards, providing an enriching academic experience. These courses provide an excellent foundation for those students seeking to enroll in advanced coursework in high school (i/e Honors and AP level). To qualify for this engaging summer program, students need to be entering the 6th, 7th or 8th grade in the fall and achieve academic levels in the top 85%.
Classes offered at the main campus in Glen Ellyn. Additional classes offered at the Naperville and Westmont Centers in the Summer.
Counselor In Training
This summer program is an excellent opportunity for older students that have outgrown summer camp but are looking for ways to build leadership and organizational skills.
Teen Extreme Camps
These summer courses offer all-day experiences featuring some of our most popular programs such as 3D animation and Video Game Design.
- Youth Academy High School Classes offer high school credit courses for credit, advancement, or enrichment throughout the summer.
- Career Academy summer courses partner with our credit divisions to give students a hand-on, immersive experience for college and career pathways.
- Success Series courses are offered year-round at three of our campus locations: main Glen Ellyn, Naperville and Westmont. These courses will help your student increase their academic success and prepare for the rigor of high school and college courses.
- Test Prep - ACT and SAT group test prep courses are offered year-round at three of our campus locations: main Glen Ellyn, Naperville and Westmont.
- Private tutoring is available for high school students in most courses including AP, Honors and Test Prep. Expert instructors hold a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and are selected based on their subject matter expertise.
Private tutoring is available for high school students in most subject areas including AP, Honors and Test Prep. Help your student achieve academic success.
Earn your Boy Scouts of America merit badges at COD. Camps are led by a certified merit badge counselor and different topics will be offered throughout the year. Contact the Youth Coordinator at youthacademy@cod.edu for available courses. Classes do fill up quickly so if a class is at capacity contact the Youth Academy with your student's name, age and phone number to be added to the wait list.
Registration
Parents can register their student online via CE Instant Enrollment or call the CE registration staff at (630) 942-2208 to register over the phone. Parents must register students with a parent email and cell phone number. Do not use the student's school email address. Course updates and information will be sent to the parent's personal email address.
Note: To view current course offerings, and real-time course enrollments, you can search for specific courses within CE Instant Enrollment by term and/or campus location:
- Select > Meeting Start Date
- Select> Course Code Number KeywordYEEL - Grades 1-5 Enrichment (and Supervision)
- YETS - Grades 3-5 Elementary Excellence
- YEMS - Grades 6-8 Enrichment
- YEEXC: Explorer Camps (all day; K-5), STEAM Ventures, Teen Extreme, Counselor in Training, or Manufacturing Camps
- YEHSC : High School (9-12)
- Select> Location (Main Campus, Naperville, Westmont, or Online
Required Forms
All students registered in Youth Enrichment, Elementary Excellence, Junior High Achievers or Summer Camp in-person programs must have a completed Student Code of Conduct and Medical Release Form and Online Youth Waiver on file on the first day of their camp or class. Parents and guardians may bring completed copies of these required forms on the first day or complete them during sign-in. High school credit courses also require the Grade Release Form to be completed for each student. High School and Junior High Achiever students may email their completed forms to youthacademy@cod.edu.
Summer Hiring Information
Continuing Education is hiring for Summer Youth Programs at the main campus in Glen Ellyn, as well as the Naperville and Westmont Center. All positions are hourly and part-time unless otherwise stated.
Cancellations and Refunds
In the event of a class cancellation or student drop, College of DuPage Continuing Education will issue a refund to the name associated with the enrolled course. In order for a parent to receive the refund in their name, they will need to complete the following Parent Refund Form for Youth Academy Participants. his form needs to be completed no later than one week after the payment has been made for the course.
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