Sponsored by Illinois Farm Credit

Title
July 12-14, 2023
ACES Alumni are invited to bring youth ages 8-13 years old to campus for an educational experience while spending time together at the University of Illinois.
Participants will enjoy the college experience: living in a residence hall, eating in the dining facilities, and participating in educational classes on the College of ACES campus.
Participants will enjoy the college experience: living in a residence hall, eating in the dining facilities, and participating in educational classes on the College of ACES campus.
This program will give you an opportunity to relive and share your college days as well as create new memories with your young Illini - children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or other special young people.
Cost: $200 per participant
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
- 3:00PM - 5:00PM: Check-In at Bousfield Hall
- 4:45PM - 6:15PM: Dinner in Ikenberry Dining Hall
- 6:15PM - 7:15PM: Meet and Greet
- 7:30PM - 9:00PM: Fellowship Event at Union
Thursday, July 13, 2023
- 7:00AM - 8:30AM: Breakfast
- 7:30AM - 9:00AM: Late Check-In Option
- 9:00AM - 5:30PM: Sessions
- 5:30PM - 7:00PM: ACES Tailgate Dinner and Fun
- 7:00PM - 8:00PM: Evening Tours
Friday, July 14, 2023
- 7:00AM - 8:30AM: Breakfast
- 9:00AM - 11:00AM: Concluding Session/Graduation Ceremony
- 11:30AM - 12:30PM: Check-Out
Sessions
ACES Family Academies has a wide variety of sessions to attend.
Session 1: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- A World in Our Hands
- Science of Nature
- Let's Get Our Hands Dirty
- Money Management for Kids
- What's Poppin'?
- Flower Hour
Session 2: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Science of Nature
- Money Management for Kids
- Illinois Deer Hunting Facts and Fun: From Outdoor Skills to Nutritious Eating
- What's Poppin?
- Be Your Own Guide
- We are all EARS about Corn!
- Flower Hour
Session 3: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
- Be Your Own Guide
- Illinois Deer Hunting Facts and Fun: From Outdoor Skills to Nutritious Eating
- The Secret (Microbial) Life of Yogurt
- Youth Leadership and Food Advocacy
- We are all EARS about Corn!
- Drumming for Diversity
Session 4: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
- Let's Get Our Hands Dirty
- Youth Leadership and Food Advocacy
- Drumming for Diversity
- A World in Our Hands
- Living and Learning in ACES
- Flower Hour
Session Details:
Money Management for Kids
It's never too early to learn about money! Join ACE Professor, Paul Stoddard and ACE Academic Advisor, Kelsey Graber for an interactive presentation on the basics of personal finance for kids including saving and budgeting. Participants will even get to paint a piggy bank they can take back home to begin their saving journey!
Youth Leadership & Food Advocacy
Youth leaders have an essential role to play in addressing food security in their neighborhoods and communities. In this session, participants will go through a process of leadership development designed to build their knowledge around social issues related to food security while building their capacity for taking action with their peers.
What's Poppin?
Come learn the science behind the origins of popcorn, and why it pops! Also, learn about how ACES researchers are developing new varieties of popcorn using modern genomics and breeding while participating in tasty demonstrations!
Science of Nature
Explore the science of nature! We'll practice how to age deer by looking at their teeth, and more. Weather permitting, we'll go outside to explore animals & plants on campus, and plant native plants in one of our student-maintained native plant gardens. Please dress for the weather and bring a water bottle.
Illinois Deer Hunting Facts and Fun: From Outdoor Skills to Nutritious Eating
Join Illinois Learn to Hunt, 4-H Shooting Sports program options, and Illinois Deer Donation Program in Illinois. Youth can learn about conservation, learn why protein is an important nutrient in the body, and sample recipes made with venison.
*This class is a joint venture with "Be Your Own Guide"
Be Your Own Guide
Learn how to read a compass using bearings and azimuth codes, and use these orienteering skills to crack a puzzle!
*This class is a joint venture with "Illinois Deer Hunting Facts and Fun: From Outdoor Skills to Nutritious Eating"
The Carbon Cycle Game
Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe, and all living things require it to live. It is found in every plant, animal, human, the oceans, the soil, and many other surprising places. Come play our game to better understand how we can influence where carbon lands.
We are all EARS about Corn!
Participants will learn about corn --it's history and importance in Illinois. They will have the opportunity to make various dishes featuring this versatile and healthy grain!
The Secret (Microbial) Life of Yogurt
Have you ever wondered what makes the difference between fruit-on-the-bottom, cream-line, and Greek-style yogurt? Or about kefir or probiotics? Our food microbiology group will guide tastings of these products while answering the food science questions by carefully reading labels and discussing the microbiology, chemistry, and processing that make these products unique.
Living and Learning
Do you want to be a future Illini? Come on a guided tour of the agricultural fraternities and sororities on campus to explore your housing options! You will be able to see what life is like within a house and what experiences you could have.
A World at Our Hands
Hold the world in your hands when you make a living terrarium in a jar. Participants in this session will create a self-sustaining ecosystem that will support life and learn about the importance of water quality.
Let's Get Our Hands Dirty
Learn about the importance of materials in the city around you as you build your own city at the tip of your fingers. Using the different materials given, participants will be able to build different structures and compare their effectiveness and quality across the board.
Drumming for Diversity
Join the HDFS crew for an interactive percussion experience and learn about the importance of inclusiveness and appreciation for diversity in working with children and families. Learn a call and response song and traditional drum rhythm of the agricultural Malinke people of Guinea, West Africa. With this session, anyone can drum!
Flower Hour
Learn how to use flowers and greenery to make floral arrangements that your family will love! Take one home with you to show off your handiwork!