In the land of Illinois, sandwiched between Lake Michigan and the mighty Mississippi, a group of adventurous kids known as the Trekking Tadpoles embarked on hiking escapades. Illinois was their playground. From the bustling streets of Chicago, across the fertile prairies, to the lush Shawnee Forest, they hiked with glee, leaving no stone unturned. Leading the pack was an imaginary character, Captain Cornstalk. He was as tall as a skyscraper and as thin as a beanpole, with kernels for teeth and a husk for hair. Born from a popcorn kernel, he had popped into existence, fueled by the children's love for adventure and their affinity for IL's famed cornfields. "Listen up, Tadpoles!" Captain Cornstalk would declare, his voice rustling like corn leaves in the wind. His corn-silk hair fluttering, he'd point his cob finger in the direction of their chosen path. The kids, brimming with excitement and armed with their hiking boots and water bottles, followed their corny leader, chuckling at his corny jokes, whistling Illinois' state song, and relishing the exercise and fresh air. These pint-sized adventurers hiked through the year, in sunshine or snow, admiring the spring blossoms and the autumn hues. They discovered and named sites like ‘Popcorn Peak’ and ‘Kernel Creek,’ laughing at their shared corn-inspired humor. Each hike was a celebration of the state's scenery, a silly symphony of kids, and kernel-filled puns. In the grand land of Illinois, the Trekking Tadpoles and Captain Cornstalk filled each day with adventure, laughter, and memories, proving that with a bit of imagination and a love for the outdoors, every hike can be a corn-ucopia of fun!
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We are thrilled to bring you some fantastic news! For the first time, we are launching our STEM Summer Camp Program in Torrance, marking our debut in the South Bay and Orange County areas. This is a significant milestone for us, and we hope it's just the beginning of our journey to expand to many other locations. This summer, we are offering your child an unprecedented opportunity to dive deep into the fascinating world of STEM. Our camp will be buzzing with interactive experiments and creative challenges to fuel your child's curiosity and keep them engaged. It's an ideal environment for kids who have an insatiable desire to learn, explore, and grow. We also want to stress our commitment to small group learning. In order to ensure that every child gets the focused attention they need, we're capping the number of spots available. Don't let your child miss out on this incredible opportunity at our exciting STEM Summer Camp. Book their spot today! Our special Science Club program is meticulously designed to cater to children from grades K-6. Each lesson in the Club SciKidz program is crafted to engage students in activities like observation, measurement, identifying properties, and conducting experiments around life, earth, and physical science concepts. Each unit is thoroughly researched by our team of science educators, with valuable inputs from teachers and children. The result is a set of lessons that not only entertain students but also foster genuine learning. Join us for a summer of science that promises to be full of fun and learning!

The Board of Commissioners sets policies and provides guidance on the operations of the parks and recreation programs. The Salt Creek Rural Park District was formed in 1956 and is governed by the Park District Code of Statutory Laws in the State of Illinois. Seven non-paid park commissioners are elected by the legal voters of the park district, and serve 6 year terms. The Board of Commissioners includes a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary, and hires a Director of Parks and Recreation to manage day-to-day operations. Professional administrative staff are also hired to oversee the operation of parks, recreation facilities and programs, while the Board of Commissioners provides the guidance and sets policies for their operation.