Johnston Community Education

Course Description Advanced Chess Summer Camp starts with advanced chess lessons right away. Players will study opening theory, end game scenarios, and deeper strategic concepts. This is a summer camp for chess players with previous chess experience and a desire to improve! Prerequisite: Previous experience in a YEL chess class or summer camp, or an 800+ ChessKid.com rating. Logistics None 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.

Course Description Prerequisite: Participants must have prior experience in a {YEL!} Project Runway camp. This is a faster paced camp than Project Runway. The instructor will lead students to design unique and personalized take-home apparel following current fashion trends. Projects include: A romper, tote bag, drawstring bag, and hair scrunchy. Logistics All supplies provided 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.

Course Description Calling all builders, makers, and designers! Experience a fun hands-on camp where participants will create blueprints, learn about architectural features, explore scale and build a model of a dream house! Registration Deadline: July 14 Logistics None Instructor TigerLily STEM. TigerLily STEM has led fun and interactive camps and classes for thousands of students in the Des Moines area since 2017. They emphasize instruction through activities and have a ton of fun while learning about science, math, and technology. All TigerLily STEM instructors are professional teachers or college students pursuing careers in STEM related fields https://tigerlilystem.com/

Course Description Join Ms. Lambert for a week of sunshine, creativity, and garden themed art! Explore mixed media, painting, and mosaic art making while making and taking home an assortment of gardening and magical fairy themed art. Participants will create their own miniature fairy gardens, stepping stones, and much more! Logistics Registration fee includes a $30 materials fee Instructor: Melanie Lambert Ms. Lambert is the art teacher at Beaver Creek Elementary!

Course Description Working with a variety of materials, particpants will explore a new form of craft each day! Participants will work with yarn to create small baskets, create their very own sketchbooks, and make colored handmade paper from recycled materials! Participants will learn about various artists that use these methods of creating as inspiration. Logistics All art materials provided 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.

Course Description Battle Drones features an exciting combination of aerial acrobatics and engineering design challenges that teaches students STEM concepts, teamwork, and how to skillfully fly a drone. In Battle Drones, teams of students will build robotic launchers designed to fling projectiles at opponents’ drones. Students will be guided by experienced camp instructors in how to construct projectile launchers to maximize speed and accuracy. The camp culminates in an epic battle where students attempt to pilot drones to safety by successfully dodging opponent projectiles while attempting to take down opponent drones. The best drone pilots and launchers will emerge victorious! Students have the option to purchase a drone to take home at the end of camp for $50 (approximately a $100 value). Registration deadline to purchase drone with camp registration: June 23. Logistics If registering for the CAMP ONLY - select the $105 rate If purchasing a DRONE IN ADDITION to camp registration - select the $155 rate (Deadline: June 23) Instructor: COR Robotics

Course Description 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! Logistics Students must provide their own guitar. Need assistance selcting aguitar? Visit https://youthenrichmentleague.com/what-kind-of-guitar-should-i-buy-for-my-child/ Instructor 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.

Course Description It's Christmas... in June! Come make gift-quality Christmas related crafts in this fun art camp. Participants will explore materials like wood, fiber, and paint. Projects this year will include (subject to change based on time and material availability): 3rd-7th Grade, Mon/Wed Camp: puppets, wooden block snowmen, Christmas lights string art, twig trees, and pom pom wreaths. 5th-10th Grade, Tue/Thu Camp: Russian nesting dolls, A-frame wooden ornament trees, snowflake string art, and handmade rope garlands. Logistics All materials included 3rd-7th Grade, Mon/Wed Camp: Students must be able to independently tie knots in yarn 5th-10th Grade: Tue/Thu Camp: Participants will use real tools like hammers, nails, and a screw gun in this class. Safety glasses will be provided and no tool experience is necessary. Instructor Amy Uthus Amy Uthus is an independent artist. She enjoys gardening and teaching in addition to working on her own ceramic sculpture and pottery. Amy has experience at a wide variety of studios. She was the inaugural Artist-in-Residence and Education Coordinator at RDG Dahlquist Art Studio in Des Moines, an International Student Resident at the International Ceramics Studio (Kecskemét, Hungary), and as an Artist-In-Residence at Guldagergaard International Ceramics Research Center (SkælskØr, Denmark). With more than 17 years of teaching experience, she has taught workshops and classes at the Des Moines Art Center, Johnston Community Education, the After School Arts Program, RDG Dahlquist Art Studio, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and her own studio near Knoxville, IA. https://www.amyuthus.com/

Course Description Create a unique t-shirt design! Students will work to design a custom T-shirt using digital graphic design tools. A professional screen printing company will turn the design into a real life T-shirt and ship it home after camp! Experienced instructors will teach students how to run the software and guide the process to turn student visions into reality! Logistics Instructor COR Robotics

Course Description Your son is invited to participate in this Annual Summer Baseball Camp offered through the Johnston Baseball program and Johnston Community Ed. Players are grouped by age, and learn baseball material that fits their age range. Camp finishes on the last day and players can head back to the field to attend the JV/Varsity game. All youth Johnston baseball players are allowed in for free. Kids will be honored before the varsity game. Players learn information on throwing, hitting, pitching, catching, fielding, sliding and team offense/defense Players will be working hand in hand with the varsity coaches and the varsity baseball players Logistics Wear proper baseball apparel with glove, bat, and wear a hat. Participants can share bats if needed. Bring a water bottle (w/name on it) Camp Director -JHS Head Baseball Coach Michael Barta- Since taking over as Head Baseball Coach in 2012, Coach Barta has won numerous state championships, won Coach of the Year, and already has over 300 wins!

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."

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. Logistics Bring water bottle with your name on it Volleyballs and other equipment will be provided 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!

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 5/17/2024. Bring your instrument Camp Directors JHS Band Director Steve Kellar JHS Band Director Jason Heeren Click here for more information on the JHS Band Program

Course Description Dancers learn dance team technique/skills that fits their skill level. Learn and improve turns, leaps, jumps, flexibility, and pom motions. Dancers will be working and learning from JHS Varsity Coaches and Dance Team members. Logistics Bring water bottle with your name on it Camp Director JHS Head Dance Coach Paige Meredith

Course Description Future Dragon Champions!! Please join us in this opportunity to work with JHS coaches and athletes to develop the strength, skills and mindset of championship athletes. This clinic is designed to develop athletes across ALL sports. 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

Course Description Youth players will be taught the fundamentals of basketball that are stressed in the Johnston High School girls basketball program including offensive skills and defensive concepts. All players will be given a chance to work on these skills each day during competitive game play. They will each receive a t-shirt, have daily prizes, and snacks will be provided at the end of each session. Logistics Enter through Door #3 on south side of JHS. Bring a water bottle with your name on it Do NOT bring a basketball. Balls will be provided. Camp Director JHS Head Girls Basketball Coach Chad Jilek- Has been the coach of 5A State Champions in 2024, 2022, 2020 and Class 5A Runners-Up in 2023, 2021, 2016.

Course Description This is a recreational camp dedicated to the introduction of volleyball skills needed to play. Basic drills led by the JHS Coaches and players in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. Those who show more interest can attend the July camp as well. 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!

Course Description This camp will BUILD on the Mission Statement introduced at the JMS TEAM Clinic: 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