Once upon a time, in the hearty, cornfield crisscrossed state of Illinois, lived an eclectic bunch of kids who had a peculiar activity they loved more than anything - horseback riding! The Land of Lincoln became their stampede of dreams, every neigh echoing through the bustling streets of Chicago to the peaceful prairis of Shawnee National Forest. Among these brave and buoyant children was a uniquely entertaining character, a girl named Kooky Katelyn. As her name suggests, Katelyn was a barrel of laughs with a hearty spirit that was as big as the Illinois skies. She was known far and wide for her outlandish antics and her magical, talking horse, Mister Giggles. Yes, you heard that right, a talking horse! Mister Giggles was as funny as a stand-up comedian and as wise as an owl. Sometimes, he’d even crack a joke halfway through a gallop, making Katelyn laugh so hard that she’d nearly tumble off. From racing across the Great Plains to practicing dressage in the outskirts of Springfield, these kids spent their days in the sunny golden fields, riding their beloved horses with laughter echoing across the state. Kooky Katelyn and Mister Giggles, with their infectious laughter and playful pranks, brought a joyous spirit to the horseback riding community, making it the most delightful activity kids from every corner of the state looked forward to. Thus, Illinois turned into a whimsical wonderland for horse-loving kids, where every horse whinny echoed with laughter and every trot left a trail of boundless joy.
Read morebest horse-back programs in Ozark, IL

Einstein's Workshop is a hands-on community center where kids create, explore, and enjoy Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. During the summer, we offer STEAM camps for kids entering Kindergarten through 9th grade. Camp topics include Minecraft, LEGO robotics, 3D printing, Dungeons&Dragons, science, math, chess, programming, game learning, digital art, making, inventing, and engineering. During the school year we offer classes on the same topics and coach FIRST LEGO League teams. We host birthday parties for lovers of Minecraft, LEGO, and hands-on fun! We also offer drop-in hours for spontaneous play in our STEAM Play Space.

At Camp Ondessonk, we believe that learning should be exciting and memorable. Our Outdoor and Environmental Education programs provide experiences that are sure to stay with students for a lifetime. Our programs serve as a unique and powerful way to reinforce curricular topics in a fun and engaging way. We provide students with the opportunity to explore the natural environment and to develop an appreciation of the interdependence of the living world. Our programs also emphasize the importance of developing relationships with others and promote personal growth and self-esteem. Camp Ondessonk is committed to providing exceptional outdoor adventures year-round that will have a lasting impact on all who participate.