Sponsors

ALL ABOUT LEARNING classes give kids an opportunity to start applying engineering concepts at an early age. Founded in December of 2002 by David Stackpole, All About Learning is a Sparta, MI based company which has grown to be a leader in providing education in Video
Game Making, Robotics and Engineering using LEGO® technology for children ages 5-17. We use proven techniques and qualified teachers to provide the best learning experience for our students, not to mention that our classes are also a great deal of fun!

BURPEE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY was begun as a Works Progress Administration project. The WPA was set up by the federal government to help create jobs during the depression of the '30's. The Museum was established in 1941 and opened to the public on May 24, 1942. The current complex is made up of three buildings - the Solem Wing, the Manny Mansion, and the Barnes Mansion. Today, Burpee Museum is a natural history museum specializing in paleontology, geology, biology and Native American life. The museum includes three floors of exhibits.

DOLPHIN SWIM CLUB is recognized as one of the best in the Rockford area. High quality instruction is achieved through enthusiastic, well-trained staff. Hands-on, gentle touch philosophy is used to create a fun learning environment.

ELITE DEFENSE SYSTEM was founded by Matthew J. Numrich, founder of Elite Defense Systems (EDS) is a certified instructor of Jeet Kune Do (JKD) and the Filipino Martial Arts. He is currently 1 of 12 that holds this level in the Midwest. Mr. Numrich has trained with other elite JKD instructors, such as Sifu Larry Hartsell(original student of Bruce Lee) and Tom Cruse (past instructor of the Navy SEALS). Mr. Numrich was used as a public media resource after the attacks of 9/11. In late 2003, he was invited to teach instructors of the Federal Air Marshall's Chicago office. Check us out on www.elitejkd.com .

For over 14 years the FITNESS ZONE has been owned and operated by Kevin & Brenda Burns. Convenience, affordability and quality is the main goal. Along with the Burns', all instructors take pride instructing their students to get the most of out of their class and to keep everyone healthy and active.

HA'S TAE KWON DO STUDIO Master Ha received his B.A. in Tae Kwon Do from Kyung- Hee University and a M.A. in Physical Education. Master Tae Eun Ha, 7th degree black belt in Taekwondo. He, has taught martial arts for over 30 years, and was 2006, Coach of the Year and 2007, Best Referee. Ha's Tae Kwon Do and Kum Do Studio helps students gain wisdom and health through individualized martial arts classes.

MAD SCIENCE OF ROCKFORD & BOONE COUNTY is a leading fun science provider offering Science Workshops and Camps that are sure to inspire a lifetime love of science and scientific inquiry. Our mission is to excite, inspire, and educate children ages 3-13.

MENDELSSOHN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER has the distinction of being the oldest, continuous community music organization in the United States. On October4, 1884, Mrs. Chandler Starr entertained her first group of Rockford music lovers at her home on North Main Street. From that day on, the name Mendelssohn in Rockford has been synonymous with the performance of quality music. Mendelssohn PAC provides quality music for all people of the Rockford area through live performances by local and world renowned artists.

NO JOKE MARTIAL ARTS is the alternative to the “traditional gym” and “martial arts school” and offers Boxing, Kickboxing, Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts for kids and adults. Training is offered at all levels from the fitness novice to the professional fighter. Everyone is welcome at No Joke Martial Arts

NORTHERN ILLINOIS JUDO CLUB was founded in 1969 by sensei George Tillett. Sensei Tillett, a fifth degree black belt, studied in Japan receiving his black belt from a direct student of Dr. Kano. Current owner, Sensei Georgene Daughetry, is a 2nd degree black belt who has also studied in Japan and is a former multiyear Junior national champion.

A Partner in Excellence of the Illinois Arts Council, ROCKFORD ART MUSEUM‘s programs involve collection, exhibition and education. Located inside Riverfront Museum Park for the Arts & Sciences (Rockford Park District facility), RAM offers 17,000 square feet of exhibition space within its three galleries. Their Collection includes 1,600 works of art from 19th century through today, with focus on historic and contemporary regional artists, plus American Masters, Glass Art, Modern and Contemporary Art, Outsider Art, and Photography. For more information log on to www.rockfordartmuseum.org .

Instructors

ELIZABETH BOCKMAN has a BS degree in Nutrition, a minor in Health Promotion, a certificate in Gerontology and a Masters in Public Health (M.P.H.) from NIU. She has approximately thirteen years experience as a health educator and teaches important life skills essential for building healthy relationships and for resisting peer pressure. Elizabeth believes that “Addressing the social concept of wellness by developing appropriate social skills by applying the rules of etiquette is imperative to instill civility in our communities today.”

ERIC BOOMGARDEN
Eric has been teaching golf classes for RVC for 9 years and has taught many young golfers over those years on proper golf etiquette as well as all instruction phases of this lifelong sport.

COLLEEN HAWKINSON
Colleen loves teaching and has taught babysitting classes in the area for twenty years. She learns something new from each babysitting class she teaches! She has recently returned to school to pursue her Masters in Teaching.


WHEATBREAD JOHNSON
Learn blues guitar or bass with Chicago’s own Wheatbread Johnson. His background as a guitarist/vocalist and author of three CDs of original songs helps students take their first steps along the road to songwriting. Students also, benefit from his extensive experience in guitar education and music performance, providing them with a strong foundation for further study.

INGER LANGSHOLT is a well-respected private instruction piano teacher, instrumental in developing community piano lessons in a group setting at Rock Valley College. Inger's teaching style and classes are best described by one of her adult students: “She taught me (to play the piano) as a child. This is an easy, laid-back approach for the beginner. The student enjoys it!”

JEFF STRAND has strong skills in various levels of sign language and abilities to satisfy students’ needs. He has volunteered teaching sign language classes in the past and is employed as a Customer Relations/Sign Language Department Assistant for Southern Wisconsin Interpreting and Translation Services (SWITS).

Community Education welcomes back GINA REESE WESSELN. As a certified deaf educator in both Illinois and Wisconsin, Gina has taught in various types of classrooms at most educational levels. Certified in Educational Administration, she has served as Director of Camp Maple Leaf in DeKalb.