College of DuPage Youth Academy

College of DuPage Youth Academy offers courses, camps, and programs that include activities such as 3D animation, Video Game Design, Comic Book Digital Art, Creative Writing, Introduction to Illustration, and Crochet Made Easy. Students can also take part in science and technology options like NASA: Space Quest, Science Rocks!, Young Scientists, Tech and Tinker, Air Power, Jr. Inventors, Inventors Workshop, Snap Circuits, Water Wonders, Wheels and Wings, Beginning Botany, Kids in the Garden, and Wild Creations. Additional options include Career Explorers, Stock Market, Chess Wizards, Persuasion and Debate, Smash Journalism, Boy Scouts of America merit badge camps, ACT and SAT test prep, and private tutoring.

• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer youth programs run June 8 through July 31, with options such as STEAM Ventures (Grades 1 and 2) meeting Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:20 a.m., and Teen X-Treme (Grades 7 through 9) meeting Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. on select June and July dates.

Youth Academy states that its courses, camps, and programs are designed for young learners through high school students and are offered through continuing education. The program mission states that it offers a fun, supportive environment where youth can explore new interests, develop skills, and prepare for future academic and career success. Expert instructors hold at least a bachelor’s degree and are selected based on subject matter expertise.

Elementary Excellence offers summer classes for academically gifted students who score in the ninetieth percentile, and Junior High Achievers is a summer program that engages high-achieving students in high school-level coursework. Teen Extreme Camps provide all-day experiences featuring activities such as 3D animation and Video Game Design, and Youth Academy High School Classes offer high school credit courses for credit, advancement, or enrichment during the summer. Career Academy summer courses partner with credit divisions to give students a hands-on, immersive experience in college and career pathways, and Success Series courses, as well as ACT and SAT group test prep, are offered year-round at three campus locations. Private tutoring is available for high school students in most subject areas, including AP, Honors, and test prep.

STEAM Ventures day camps blend science, technology, engineering, art, and math with hands-on activities, and Academic Enrichment Programs at Westmont Center include camps in science, math, engineering, creativity, strategic thinking, communication, and nature. Merit Badge/Scout Programs for Grades 7 through 12 allow students to earn Boy Scouts of America merit badges, and these camps are led by a certified merit badge counselor. Before and after program supervision is available for Youth Programs at the COD Naperville Center. Registration for Summer 2026 K–12 programs is open, and parents can register their student online via CE Instant Enrollment or by calling the CE registration staff.

All students registered in Youth Enrichment, Elementary Excellence, Junior High Achievers, or Summer Camp in-person programs must have a completed Student Code of Conduct, Medical Release Form, and Online Youth Waiver on file on the first day of their camp or class, and parents or guardians may bring completed copies of these forms on the first day. Testimonials from students at College of DuPage describe personal class sizes, caring and dedicated professors, and encouragement to push beyond comfort zones.

Last updated May 26, 2026.