Harper College will be closed on Wednesday, February 12 in observance of Lincoln's Day.
Kristin Soukup heard about InZone, Harper College’s enrichment and sports camp, four years ago, when a breakroom chat turned to what her kids would be doing for the summer. After learning more, she decided to enroll her children, Karina and Parker, in the program instead of their regular summer camp.
She credits InZone with giving them the opportunity to expand their horizons and try new things.
“It seemed like a better fit for them,” said Kristin, whose children are now 13. “Our kids are very hands-on. They have a curriculum that gives us an idea of what they are going to teach. I would say that it definitely meets my expectations.”
InZone offers 150 classes across various disciplines, including arts, sports and STEM for children ages 6 to 14, with limited offerings for teens up to 17. Junior Explorers, designed for children ages 6 to 8, provides structured, three-hour sessions in a single location. The 10-week program has five, two-week sessions with classes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and before and after care options available for working parents.
Participants learn from Harper professors and industry experts while experiencing a college campus environment with state-of-the-art facilities. Nearly 1,100 students participated in InZone last summer, and enrollment for this year’s session is now open.
“InZone gives kids an opportunity to experience things that they might be interested in but don’t have access to and allows them to see if that might be something they want to pursue as they get into middle school and high school or as a college path,” said Kevin Hahn, manager of operations, wellness and youth programming at Harper.
Research indicates that summer camps play a crucial role in helping children develop essential life skills that translate into academic and workplace success. A study published in the Journal of Youth Development found that camp attendees build teamwork, self-confidence, perseverance and emotional regulation through experiential learning and structured social environments – skills that researchers suggest are critical in preparing young people for both school and future careers.
This summer, young learners at InZone can explore a diverse array of courses designed to build skills and spark creativity and innovation in arts (drawing, digital art, photography, sculpture and more), crafts (sewing, crochet, quilting), and music (piano, songwriting, vocal performance, beat making).
The Tech Knowledgy track covers coding, game design, AI, digital animation and Minecraft Mod creation. Aspiring chefs can join Kitchen Creations to learn cooking and baking basics, while future entrepreneurs can develop leadership and business skills through courses in public speaking and investing.
The program also teaches a variety of sports, including basketball, soccer, swimming and pickleball, and has courses about astronomy, biotechnology and financial literacy. For young performers, Stage/Sound/Screen offers classes in improv, acting, stand-up comedy and screenwriting.
New courses this summer include drone building, basic embroidery techniques, brand building and the science of ice cream making.
Offerings for Junior Explorers include art and STEAM activities like Lego building, exploring pond habitats, designing coloring books and global art adventures. Music and movement and other classes encourage self-expression, mindfulness and kindness.
InZone is inclusive, welcoming children with special needs and working closely with parents to provide support tailored to the individual.
Harper Physical Science and Engineering Department Chair Maggie Geppert was drawn to the program by its broad array of classes and the convenience of having her children Miles, 15, and Ivy, 10, on campus while she teaches during the summer semester.
“My son really liked the sculpture classes,” she said. “My daughter has done the stand-up comedy class, and they’ve done programming and engineering courses. In the IDEAShop, they learned to design and build their own 3D printer, so my son has a 3D printer in his room now because he built a 3D printer from that class. To be on the cutting edge of those programs is really special.”
Kristin said Karina and Parker have done everything from learning how to play chess to taking science, technology, engineering and mathematics-themed classes, but they especially enjoy InZone’s cooking classes.
“We do all the cooking classes over and over again because the recipes are different every year,” said the South Barrington resident. “They love baking, my daughter especially. They’re both really good at cooking. Whenever we decide we’re going to make something together, they can definitely hold their own as far as following the directions and making recipes.”
Kristin said sending her then-elementary-aged children to InZone was like dropping them off for college for the first time.
“Before starting, I think they were pretty nervous about having to walk to their classes by themselves, and I was also sort of nervous about that, but in the end, it was totally fine because they have all the counselors that show them where they are,” she said. “There are people everywhere, so there was really nothing to worry about. There are a few aides that my kids have really bonded with over the years. When they see them year after year, they’re happy that they can keep that relationship going.”
Because Harper is an open college campus, InZone uses multiple safety measures to keep students safe and provides orientation tours to help families and students get acquainted with the campus and facilities before classes begin.
“Safety is our number one priority,” Kevin said. “From the time the child gets dropped off to the time they get to class, they’re supervised. We have program aides positioned at stations along the major walkways, so when we’re transitioning between programs, program aides are positioned all throughout campus. There’s always a set of eyes on the kids.”
Maggie said her son has continued to use his 3D printer since taking the InZone 3D printing course and recently completed upgrades on his own. Her daughter asks to cook dinner using recipes from InZone’s cooking classes.
“The programs have been very impressive,” she said. “The teachers are really nice and the kids would come back with amazing projects and delicious food. They had a fun experience and would get to try new things that they wouldn’t necessarily be able to do other places.”
Prepare your child for the future with experiences that spark curiosity and build real-world skills. Learn more about InZone’s 2025 courses.