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Beginning Guitar

Course Description: {YEL!} BEGINNING GUITAR Join this dynamic course to learn a dynamite instrument! Players will learn the basics of music including reading music, rhythm, melody and meter. Classes are fun and make the instrument easily accessible for all students. Sign up today to let the music play! Participants must provide their own guitar. NOTE TO PARENTS: Visit https://youthenrichmentleague.com/what-kind-of-guitar-should-i-buy-for-my-child/ to learn what kind of guitar to buy for your child. Logistics: Participants should bring a water bottle with their name on it. Instructor: Youth Enrichment League Youth Enrichment League – {YEL!} – was founded in 2004 by Chet and Lisa Gunhus. It was founded to bring the highest quality enrichment to schools throughout Minnesota. Through the combined blessings of amazing teachers and happy clients, {YEL!} has grown to 745 schools and 150 teachers in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Mon-Fri, Jul 7 - Jul 11

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Mon-Fri, Aug 4 - Aug 8

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Climb Iowa Adventures

Course Description Time to reach new heights and learn more about the strategies in climbing! Climb Iowa staff members belay the participants on the ropes and help with climbing our bouldering walls. Logistics Signed Visitor Agreement is REQUIRED Wear t-shirt, shorts or pants, and bring a water bottle with your name on it Climbing shoes, rental harnesses, and instruction are provided Instructor Climb Iowa Staff

Dragon Boys Basketball Training Camp

Course Description Boys are taught the fundamentals of shooting, passing, ball handling, finishing, offensive action and defense. In addition to fundamentals, team concepts for offense and defense will be taught. We want all kids to have a great experience by providing an opportunity to compete, listen, learn and enjoy the great game of basketball. Johnston’s coaching staff will instruct the campers. Logistics Wear proper basketball clothing including t-shirt and shorts with clean, dry shoes Please do NOT bring a basketball as they will be provided at JHS Bring a water bottle with your name on it Camp Director JHS Boys Basketball Head Coach Courtney Henderson- Coach Henderson took over the head job at JHS in 2023. He has won 10 CIML(Metro)/Alliance Conference Championships, 5 District Championships, 5-time District Coach of the Year, Iowa State Coach of the Year 2015-16, 4A State Coach of the Year 2010-11, has had 2 All-State Basketball Players, made 10 Consecutive District/Sub-State Finals, State Runner-up 2011, and has 5 state tournament appearances.

Tue/Thu, Jun 10 - Jul 10

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Johnston High School and Summit Middle School

Dragon Boys HS/MS Cross Country Camp

Course Description Come see why the Johnston Boys Cross Country team has one of the best traditions of excellence and culture in the country! Learn about the sport, train, and participate in team building activities. Logistics Enter through Door #19 (NE side of JMS) by the gym Bring water bottle with your name on it Camp Director JHS Head Boys Track and Field & Head Boys Cross Country Coach Matt Jaschen- Coach Jaschen started coaching at Johnston in 2010 and teaches HS Science at JHS. He was the 2023 State Track & Field Coach of the Year, 2023 Des Moines Register All-Iowa Coach of the Year, 7x At-Large XC Coach of the Year Awards. His teams have been to state the last 12 years in a row! JHS won state in track in 2023, runners-up in cross country in 2013/2022, and have had multiple individual champions in both sports. Coach says "We help athletes develop self-confidence, promote a healthy lifestyle, and create a culture where young athletes can learn and take ownership of their success."

Mon-Fri, Jun 9 - Aug 8

7:30 - 10:30 AM

Johnston Middle School

Dragon Boys Tennis Camp

Course Description The Johnston Boys tennis camp is designed for those planning on playing high school tennis. Emphasis will be placed on singles and doubles match strategy and advanced stroke development. Please arrive 10 minutes early so camp can start on time. Contact Coach Nyquist (Snyquist1@msn.com) or Coach Schuessler (dennis.schuessler@johnston.k12.ia.us) with any questions. Logistics Campers should bring a racket, water bottle and sunscreen each day. Weather policy/procedures- if courts are slick/wet from rains, lessons will be cancelled. The decision will be made at least 30 minutes before each class. Please watch for texts & emails for the notification Camp Directors JHS Boys Head Tennis Coach Dennis Schuessler- Coach Schuessler started coaching at JHS in 2017. Their last state appearance was in 2022. His goal for this camp is to prepare the next generation of Tennis Dragons. JHS Boys Assistant Coach Steve Nyquist- Coach Nyquist started coaching tennis at JHS in 2022. They qualified for team state in 2022 and had state qualifiers in 2022, 2023. Current professional coach has said “You have done a great job and are doing amazing with the Johnston team. They are lucky to have you.” He has over 40 years experience in tennis and has learned from some of the best players and coaches in the country. Coach has tremendous passion for the sport and wants to give back to a sport that has given him a lifetime of fun and pleasure. He wants to be the coach and resource to the players that he didn’t have when he was learning the game. If your son attends this camp and applies what they have learned, they will improve. The camp will focus more on strategy and philosophy that is often not included from professional coaches.

Mon-Thu, Jul 7 - Jul 17

9:00 - 11:00 AM

JHS Tennis Courts

Dragon Concert Band Camp

Course Description This camp is for current band students looking for a summer opportunity to play. We will spend this week rehearsing 4 - 6 fun band tunes for the Friday performance. Snacks and silly raffle prizes will be offered daily. Each student will receive a camp t-shirt!! A great way to continue playing in the summer! Logistics T-SHIRT REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS 5/23/2025. CAN STILL REGISTER AFTER BUT WON'T BE GUARANTEED A SHIRT Bring your instrument End of week performance is 10:30am on Friday. Camp Directors JHS Band Director Jason Heeren JHS Band Director Craig Crilly Click here for more information on the JHS Band Program

Mon-Fri, Jun 16 - Jun 20

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Johnston Middle School

Dragon Football Camp: Fit to Hit Gr 9

Course Description The Fit to Hit Football Camp will focus on skill development , position growth, conditioning and will also learn concepts used by the offense, defense, and special teams. This camp is for athletes that plan on participating in football in the Fall. Each participant will receive a t-shirt. The benefit of attending these camps will give the camper a chance to better their football skills on both sides of the ball by learning an offensive position and defensive position plus will get a chance to start learning specifics about what offensive/defensive formations and plays that will be used during the season. This camp introduces the basics so it will be important to attend so you are ready to go on Day 1. It will also give the camper a chance to get some conditioning in and gauge where the players are at with their stamina. All campers just need to come with T-shirts, shorts and cleats if they have them, plus bring the attitude to work and get better as a football player! Be coachable, open minded and HAVE FUN! Logistics Check in starts at 5:30pm Bring water bottle with your name on it Camp Director JHS 9th Grade Football Coaching Staff

Tue-Thu, Aug 5 - Aug 7

JMS Stadium (Johnston Stadium)

Dragon Football Camp: Gr 8

DEADLINE TO RECEIVE A T-SHIRT IS AUGUST 10 at 8pm. Course Description Learn all about offensive and defensive positions and special teams play. We’ll emphasize the fundamentals of various positions so players can learn about the game of football and build confidence. The camp will include sport-specific conditioning drills, position-specific fundamentals, and games and competitions. Logistics Camp will take place at the JMS Stadium. Enter on south side of stadium. Wear appropriate clothing (t-shirt, shorts, cleats), and bring a water bottle. No other football gear/equipment is needed. Camp Director 8th Grade Head Football Coach Tom Griffin

Mon-Wed, Aug 18 - Aug 20

JMS Stadium (Johnston Stadium)

Dragon Girls Basketball Training Camp

Course Description The players will develop skills emphasized within the Johnston High School Girls Basketball Program and learn how to utilize those skills with the team concept. Instructors will be the JHS Girls Basketball Coaching staff. Logistics Enter through Door #3 on south side of JHS. Balls will be provided. Camp Director JHS Head Girls Basketball Coach Chad Jilek- Has been the coach of 5A State Champions in 2025, 2024, 2022, 2020 and Class 5A Runners-Up in 2023, 2021, 2016.

Wed, Thu, Jun 11 - Jul 24

8:00 - 11:00 AM

Johnston High School

Dragon Girls HS/MS Cross Country Camp

Course Description Come join the coaches and athletes of the 6 x State Champion JHS Girls Cross Country TEAM in the process of living out our TEAM Mission Statement: We are Dedicated to Developing Strong, Confident Women Who Seek to Build Community While Enjoying Competitive Athletics!! Logistics Bring water bottle with your name on it Camp Director JHS Girls Cross Country Head Coach Patrick Hennes- Coach Hennes has been a Dragon since his first days of student teaching at JHS in the Spring of 2002. He has had a front row seat as the number of graduates has doubled over time and taken great joy in witnessing JCSD grow into a thriving and diverse community serving the needs of a broad, multicultural group of learners. After volunteering with the JHS Track & Field squads as a student teacher in the spring of 2002, Coach Hennes was hired as an assistant coach for both the boys and girls Cross Country and Track & Field squads for the 2002-2003 school year. The following year (2003) he was hired as the Head Girls Cross Country Coach, remaining with the Boys Track & Field program as the distance coach until joining the girls Track & Field TEAM as distance coach in the spring of 2007. In the classroom, Mr. Hennes enjoys teaching mostly JHS seniors in one of their final required courses: American Government or American National Government. In one action-packed semester, students learn about the Foundations of American Government, Citizenship and Civic Participation and the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Coach Hennes has been recognized with the following awards: 2016 Des Moines Register/USA Today Iowa All Sports Coach of the Year following the Dragons undefeated and record-setting State Championship season 13-time recipient of the IATC Cross Country Coach of the Year Award, including most recently the Dragon’s 2023 State Championship season 2016 USTFCCCA Iowa Coach of the Year 2018 IGHSAU Golden Plaque of Distinction Conference Championships (what years) The Dragons have earned a total of eight CIML Conference Championships under Coach Hennes, who took the Dragons from “Worst to First” in the Conference in his first season as Head Coach in 2003. The Dragons celebrated the 21st anniversary of that Championship with another in the 2023 season. They have also won a total of 13 State Qualifying Meet Championships under Coach Hennes and his amazing staff. State Appearances- The Dragons have competed in the IGHSAU State Championship in 20 out of the past 21 seasons and are currently the defending State Champions State Titles- The Dragons have won *six* out of the past 10 IGHSAU Class 4A Cross Country State Championships (2014-2016-2017-2019-2020-2023) and have finished in the Top 4 in 14 out of the last 18 years. In 2016, the Dragons set the State Meet record for the All Time lowest TEAM score (26) and fastest TEAM finish (18:41 for 5K) "As coaches, we take great pride in living and coaching by our TEAM Mission Statement: We are dedicated to developing strong, confident women who are committed to building community while pursuing excellence in competitive athletes. As coaches, we deeply value the trust that parents place in us to help guide the development of their daughters as both athletes and as individuals. As coaches, summer is our opportunity to take the time to really, truly get-to-know our athletes on an even deeper level as individuals. Life is an adventure and we can’t wait to share that adventure with your daughter!!” Why should they attend/benefits? Participants will learn what it takes to live by our TEAM values: Be Healthy Dream Big Dreams Pursue Excellence Take Ownership Be Accountable Have Fun Embrace Your Sister

Mon-Fri, Jun 9 - Aug 8

JMS Stadium (Johnston Stadium) and Johnston High School

Dragon Girls MS Introductory Cross Country Camp

Course Description The camp will be an introduction to cross country. With the intention to teach the basics of warm-up, stretching, and cool down. Additionally, campers will get insight into some of the types of workouts that cross-country runners use. All fitness levels are encouraged to participate, as each participant will be allowed to train at their own pace. Games and fun activities will be included. Logistics Wear clothing that you can run in: running shorts or compression shorts, sports bra, t-shirt or tank top that is comfortable for movement. Hair ties/ hair up. Good pair of tennis shoes/ running shoes with support and socks Optional- Hat and sunglasses Bring water bottle with your name on it Camp Director Jenna Darsee - Summit Middle School Art | Johnston Head Middle School Girls XC & Assistant 8th Grade Track Coach

Mon-Fri, Aug 4 - Aug 8

9:00 - 10:30 AM

JMS Stadium (Johnston Stadium)

Dragon Girls Volleyball Camp: Gr 6-8

Course Description Camp instruction will focus on the fundamentals of the sport: serving, passing, setting, attacking, blocking & digging. In addition, learning to communicate with teammates and leadership will be emphasized. Individual and small group drills will be used to instruct skill work and to develop team play. Logistics Bring a water bottle with your name on it Camp Director JHS Head Volleyball Coach Rick Brooks has been coaching at Johnston since 1993. His teams have made 11 state appearances, State Title in 2007, 3 runner-up finishes. Coach Brooks was the Coach of the Year in 2007 and has several "District Coach of the Year" honors. He currently teaches Math at JHS. In 2015, he was honored with the Presidential Award in Mathematics & Science Teaching. Coach really enjoys coaching the next generation of Dragons!

Mon-Thu, Jul 14 - Jul 17

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Johnston High School

Dragon Girls Wrestling Camp

Course Description Learn the fundamental wrestling techniques, drilling, and have live wrestling opportunities. Logistics Wear t-shirt/shorts and wear clean dry tennis shoes or wrestling shoes. Singlets/headgear are optional. Also bring water bottle (w/name on it) Camp Director JHS Girls Head Wrestling Coach Tim Franklin- Coach Franklin is the first ever girls wrestling coach at JHS and JMS since girls wrestling started in 2022. In the short amount of time the program has been around the JHS girls have had three wrestlers ranked in the top 2 in the CIML Conference and have had two girls place top 5 at the IGHSAU Regional Tournament.

Thu-Sat, Jul 17 - Jul 19

Johnston High School

Dragon HS Girls Volleyball Pre-Season Camp

Course Description This camp will be a high intensity camp focusing on preparation for competition. Drills will be fast-paced and challenging. Learning to compete and teamwork will be the goal of the camp. Logistics Bring a water bottle with your name on it Camp Director JHS Head Volleyball Coach Rick Brooks has been coaching at Johnston since 1993. His teams have made 11 state appearances, State Title in 2007, 3 runner-up finishes. Coach Brooks was the Coach of the Year in 2007 and has several "District Coach of the Year" honors. He currently teaches Math at JHS. In 2015, he was honored with the Presidential Award in Mathematics & Science Teaching. Coach really enjoys coaching the next generation of Dragons!

Mon, Tue, Aug 4 - Aug 5

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Johnston High School

Dragon HS Girls Volleyball Training Camp

Course Description This camp will prepare athletes for the upcoming Fall season by focusing on fundamentals and conditioning. Focus will be on building the foundation necessary to maximize performance in the sport. Individual skill drills and team competition will be used daily to develop each athlete. *Softball players will have an alternative time to attend if there is a conflict. Coach Brooks will communicate this directly with softball players. Logistics Bring a water bottle with your name on it Camp Director JHS Head Volleyball Coach Rick Brooks has been coaching at Johnston since 1993. His teams have made 11 state appearances, State Title in 2007, 3 runner-up finishes. Coach Brooks was the Coach of the Year in 2007 and has several "District Coach of the Year" honors. He currently teaches Math at JHS. In 2015, he was honored with the Presidential Award in Mathematics & Science Teaching. Coach really enjoys coaching the next generation of Dragons!

Mon, Jun 9 - Jul 21

8:45 - 11:00 AM

Johnston High School and Summit Middle School

Dragon Intensive Wrestling Camp- Boys/Girls

Course Description This wrestling camp is available to any male or female wrestlers looking for more intensive drilling, competitive, and conditioning opportunities. Logistics Wear t-shirt/shorts and wear clean dry tennis shoes or wrestling shoes. Singlets/headgear are optional. Also bring water bottle (with your name on it) Camp Directors JHS Boys Head Wrestling Coach Aaron Tecklenburg- Coach Tecklenburg has been coaching at JHS since 2008. As a head coach, he has amassed 200+ dual wins. He has coached over 100 State Qualifiers and over 50 state place winners, including 5 state champions. He teaches 7th Grade Social Studies at Summit MS. JHS Boys Assistant Wrestling Coach Zach Thompson- Coach Thompson has been on the high school staff for the last 15 years. Zach was a two-time All American at Iowa State University.

Mon-Wed, Jul 21 - Jul 23

8:30 - 10:30 AM

Johnston High School

FLL Challenge: Solo Mission

Course Description FIRST LEGO League Challenge: Solo Mission is for participants with at least one season of FLL Challenge experience who are interested in embarking on a solo mission! Participants will create and develop an FLL robot of their own to test against missions from the most recent FLL Challenge season: Submerged. Much of the work in this camp is self-directed. JCE staff will be on-site to help problem-solve and keep participants moving towards the goal of completing as many succesful missions as possible on the final day! Participants will be encouraged to brainstorm and collaborate together. Space is extremely limited. Registration opens April 15 at 12pm. Participants can register as an individual or as a pair (see details below). Logistics All materials will be supplied by Johnston Community Education (JCE). FLL robotics kits and Legos will remain at the program site. Participants will not take kits or Legos home with them. If registering a pair: Register one participant and indicate who the second participant of the pair is by completing the registration questions. Name, date of birth, phone and email will be information needed about the second participant at the time of registration. Pairs will share 1 FLL kit and collaborate on 1 robot. JCE will send registration instructions to the second student of the pair after registration. This is so JCE can collect emergency contact information for both participants. If you have any questions, contact Scott Kruthoff at scott.kruthoff@johnston.k12.ia.us. Instructor: Johnston Community Education

Mon-Fri, Jul 21 - Jul 25

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

District Office

Fencing Summer Camp

Course Description: {YEL!} FENCING SUMMER CAMP New and returning students invited. Your favorite instructors return with more knowledge, refined coaching skills and, of course, your favorite fencing games and arm bands. Safety is our first priority. We supply safety swords, protective masks, chest plates and jackets, in a high-octane, inclusive environment. Visit YELKids.com for more info. Sign up today to join this sport deemed the “sport of the intellectual athlete!” https://youthenrichmentleague.com/portfolio-item/f... Logistics: Participants should bring a water bottle with their name on it. Instructor: Youth Enrichment League Youth Enrichment League – {YEL!} – was founded in 2004 by Chet and Lisa Gunhus. It was founded to bring the highest quality enrichment to schools throughout Minnesota. Through the combined blessings of amazing teachers and happy clients, {YEL!} has grown to 745 schools and 150 teachers in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Mon-Fri, Jul 28 - Aug 1

Summit Middle School

Golf Lessons: Youth

Course Description Small group lessons taught by one of the best in the area! Lessons are taught by the experienced staff at the Des Moines Driving Range, 2944 NW 66th Ave. Please indicate upon registration if golf clubs are needed. Logistics Park on the west side (to the right) of the parking lot as you pull in. Lessons are taught under the shade structure by the trees. Clubs remain in your bag until the course begins for safety reasons. Please bring your own bottle on warm days. For weather announcements, please call the range at 515-289-1703. Make-up date for any weather issues is TBD. Instructor Mark Egly- Mark was named a top 50 instructor in America and named the Best Instructor in Iowa for a decade by Golf Digest and also named 6 Time Iowa PGA Teacher of the Year, including the 2016 Award.

Tue, Jun 10 - Jul 1

Des Moines Driving Range

Grand View Soccer Skills Camp

Course Description The camp teaches and improves a player’s technical and tactical abilities, using individual and small group training. T-shirts will be provided by Grand View. 1:12 ratio with players/coaches on hand. Groups will be split by age/ability. Logistics Enter through south gates of the JHS Stadium (Dragon Stadium) Please bring a soccer ball (if you have one) and water bottle. Instructor Grand View Men's Soccer Coaches and Players

Tue, Wed, Jul 15 - Jul 16

JHS Stadium (Dragon Stadium)

Ages	4 yr. - 17 yr. ^{11 m}

Jewelry Making

Course Description: Ever wanted to make your own jewelry? Come learn different beading and stamping techniques to make earrings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces, and other wearable art! Logistics: Participants should bring a water bottle with their name on it. Instructor: Katie Black Katie Black is a K-12 certified art educator currently teaching art at Johnston High School. She loves the process of creativity and art-making with students of all ages and has previously taught at JMS, the Des Moines Art Center, and with Johnston Community Education.

Mon-Wed, Aug 4 - Aug 6

Beaver Creek Elementary

Knitting Basics

Course Description: Learn the basics of knitting by beginning to knit a handmade scarf! Participants will learn how to cast on projects, use both the knit stitch and the purl stitch, and cast off techniques. This camp offers a fun and creative introduction to knitting! Logistics: Participants should bring a water bottle with their name on it. Instructor: Kenzie Lindsey Kenzie is an art teacher at JHS where she teaches Drawing, Digital Photography and Art of Craft. She has experience teaching all age groups and working with a variety of materials. Her favorite art related things are knitting, taking photos, and creating collages.

Mon-Wed, Jul 21 - Jul 23

Johnston High School

Magic & Juggling

Course Description: Magic & Juggling are for anyone who likes to have fun! Participants learn how to entertain and amaze friends, family, and classmates with routines that can be done anywhere, at any time. Join professional magician Lee Cole for two days of Magic & Juggling! Logistics: All magic and juggling materials provided Participants will have the option to purchase juggling balls Instructor: Lee Cole When Lee isn’t running Magicamps, he’s performing on cruise ships, at casinos, for Fortune 500 companies, and in comedy clubs as far away as Australia. Lee’s playfulness & spontaneity give his magic show the feel of a stand-up comic’s. When asked about Lee Cole’s Magicomedy, Beyoncé & Jay-Z said, Who? LeeCole.com

Tue/Thu, Jul 22 - Jul 24

Mon/Wed, Aug 11 - Aug 13

9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Ninja Warrior Camp

Course Description This is a great introduction into the competitive world of obstacle course racing! Participants spend time warming up in gymnastics gym with games and races (including time on trampolines and in foam pits). Participants move to the ninja gym and then work through an obstacle course! Logistics Complete this waiver before your Ninja can participate - Emerge Academy Participant Waiver Kids wear clean, dry tennis shoes & socks are required for the Ninja Warrior gym! Bare feet for the Gymnastics gym. There are cubbies where everyone can store their shoes & socks. Gym attire (e.g. shorts & t-shirt.) Please leave all valuables at home! No jewelry, Fit Bits, etc. The gym is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. No water bottles, please. We have drinking fountains! Directions: north on Hwy 141 from I35/I80, Left (west) on 19th St Grimes (to the right (east) this is 62nd St Johnston.) ~There is a stoplight at this intersection with a Kum N Go on the right (east) side, First left (south) is SE Gateway Dr, Emerge is approximately 2/3 of the way down the building, Cars can park in the front lot Instructor Emerge Academy, 2100 SE Gateway Dr. in Grimes

Mon/Wed, Jul 14 - Jul 16

Wed, Thu, Aug 13 - Aug 14