Naper Settlement summer camp registration starts Monday

Registration for Naper Settlement’s summer camps opens to the public on Monday, Jan. 19.

Summer camps are spread across the museum’s campus and feature an array of topics including science, history, art and more, officials said in a news release. They run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 1 to Aug. 14, with free drop-off starting at 8 a.m., and offer activities for younger and older children.

Among the options are an animal kingdom camp, robotics camp, architecture camp and forensics camp. Children will learn from guest speakers and participate in themed hands-on learning experiences, the release said.

Naper Settlement members can register before Monday.

For more information, go to www.napersettlement.org/campnaper.

COD offering summer credit program for high school seniors

Students who will be entering their senior year of high school in fall 2026 can earn up to four transferable general education courses at half-off tuition this summer through College of DuPage’s College Jumpstart program.

This program offers college courses at $78 per credit hour, a news release said.

Students can enroll in a program that pairs two courses from academic areas such as humanities, art, anthropology and history, the release said. Courses run from June 15 to Aug. 8 at the main campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

Registration opens March 11.

Virtual informational sessions will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, and 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 10. To register for a Zoom information session, go to www.cod.edu.

Will County making plans for its 190th anniversary year

Will County is celebrating the 190th anniversary of its founding this and will be highlighting its history throughout 2026.

The county’s incorporation on Jan. 12, 1836, was recognized by County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant with an executive proclamation noting how its growth from simple trading posts to a hub of agricultural, manufacturing, energy and transportation industries, a news release said.

Throughout the year, Bertino-Tarrant’s office will partner with the Will County Historic Preservation Commission to showcase local historic sites and milestones under the theme of “Celebrating 190 Years of Community,” the release said. There are 60 sites designated by the commission as local landmarks.

They also will mark other milestones, including the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Route 66 centennial.

These are the first-, second- and third-place winners of the 2025 Student Silent Film Festival held at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. The year the fest is set for Jan. 28, and will include an entry from students at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. (James C. Svehla)

Neuqua Valley student movie to compete at Silent Film Fest

Neuqua Valley High School students will compete against students from a dozen Chicago-area high schools at the 9th annual Student Silent Film Festival.

Scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove, the event will showcase student films told without voices or sound effects, a news release said.

Neuqua Valley’s film is titled “King of Hearts.” The Naperville school’s entry will compete against other suburban high schools, including Lyons Township, Lake Forest, Oak Forest and Tinley Park.

Derek Berg, a professional pianist and CEO of the Clarendon Hills Music Academy, will provide the musical accompaniment, the release said. Scores will be performed on the SilentFilmtronic 2000, which employs virtual instruments sampled from classic synthesizers from between 1950 to 1980.

Entertainment and arts education professionals will evaluate the films, and three winners will be selected based on narrative development, cinematography, lighting and technical editing.

Festival tickets are $20 in advance at www.studentsilentfilmfestival.org and $25 at the door.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/14/naperville-settlement-camp-dupage-silent-neuqua/