Chicago's Family Guide

Apr. 1st - May. 18th

Save $15 on Camp Invention Registration!
Use promo code LOCAL15 to save $15 (expires 5/18/22) on Camp Invention registration!

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Apr. 11th - May. 2nd

Captain Brickbeard needs YOU! His precious Golden Treasure is missing, and time is running out. He needs more pirates to help him find the lovely loot! Are you ready to join his Pirate Crew? Pirate-y fun, prizes and adventures galore on LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago Island coming this spring!

When: March 25th - May 2nd

Activities Include:

Search LDC Island for the golden treasure in the treasure scavenger hunt!
Build your own pirate ship
Make an action-packed pirate adventure at our stop motion tables
Zoom your ship as fast as you dare at our zipline
Build the tallest, wackiest or wildest pirate ship and race against your family or other guests!
Search for Princess Argenta and her pirate crew in MINILAND

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Apr. 29th - Dec. 31st

Learn From the Best Anywhere, Anytime - Full Scholarships Available

Key Features of Self-Paced Learning With Digital Media Academy:

Learn anywhere, any time
Progress at your own pace
No pre-requisites
No special software or hardware required
Access the same courses presented by Digital Media Academy at prestigious universities around the world
Courses are aligned with global standards
Receive a Digital Media Academy certificate upon completion
What's better than attending an innovative digital media or technology course at a prestigious university campus like Stanford University? Doing so in your own home, at your own pace.

Whether you live in a time zone that makes attending a live Digital Media Academy course difficult, or you want the freedom to move more quickly or slowly through the material, Digital Media Academy's self-paced digital media and technology courses might be just what you're looking for.

Developed by industry and curriculum experts, and tested and proven by over 500,000 students throughout the past 20 years, these courses allow young learners to explore their passions and develop 21st century skills.

Although these courses have traditionally been delivered live and in-person on North America's most prestigious university campuses, the self-paced format allows students aged 5 to 18 the world over to experience Digital Media Academy's unique educational offerings.

Not only that, but after the great success of the spring break virtual camp scholarship program, Digital Media Academy is offering Ten Thousand FULL scholarships for talented students who would benefit from a self-paced learning experience.

Why Self-Paced Learning?

Studies have shown that when students are given the ability to decide for themselves how much time to spend learning new material, they perform better because they are able to focus their efforts on concepts they find personally challenging.

Digital Media Academy recognizes the advantage of a self-paced format not only for student performance, but for accessibility as well. Knowing that not every student lives close to a campus where courses are offered, or even in a convenient time zone to attend a virtual course, Digital Media Academy wanted to offer the same high quality of digital media and technology education that has been delivered live for the past 20 years in a format that would ensure as many young learners as possible would have access to it.

The self-paced format allows learners of all backgrounds to enrich their learning, explore potential career paths, ignite their passion and build a foundation of knowledge and skills that are not only exciting but in-demand.

What to Expect from a Self-Paced Tech Course at Digital Media Academy

With over self-paced 30 courses available across 6 categories, there is sure to be something that piques the interest of the young learner in your life. Courses are available for ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-18, in the following categories:

Digital Storytelling
Game Development
Creative Design
Computer Science + AI
Robotics + Engineering
Business + Entrepreneurship
Each course has 5 or 6 modules, and requires an average of 12-15 hours to complete. While participants are given three months to work through the course at their own pace, a particularly motivated learner could complete a course in a matter of days. It all depends on the learner's schedule, preferences and needs.

No special equipment is required, and if a participant has questions, they can ask a virtual teacher. Learning and progress will be assessed through automated quizzes and assignments.

Upon completion of a course, learners will receive certificates demonstrating their achievement, which include the seal of alignment with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

Who Should Consider a Self-Paced Course?

Digital Media Academy's courses enhance students' academic opportunities by offering research-based, 21st century learning in areas like game design, coding, animation, and other subjects that aren't always comprehensively covered in school.

Our self-paced courses are designed for young learners aged 5 to 18 with an aptitude for digital media or tech subjects who would benefit from gaining a foundation of understanding in that subject.

Course options include:

Ages 9-12:

Encryption, Cyphers and Digital Detectives
Design Challenges
Fun With Robots
And more
Ages 13-18:

App Designer Studio
Introduction to 3D Modeling in Tinkercard
Show and Tell: Script and Storyboard
And more
Do you know a self-motivated young learner whose interest might be sparked by an engaging digital media or technology foundation course offered by a certified, trusted and proven education institution?

Don't miss this opportunity to inspire them!

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May. 17th

Join Jenn on May 17th to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates, and anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you! 4pm PT/5pm MT/6pm CT/7pm ET! Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/95193201666
https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/events

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May. 17th

Join Jenn on May 17th to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates, and anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you! 9am PT/10am MT/11am CT/12pm ET!
Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/95193201666
https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/events

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May. 27th - Jun. 27th

LEGO NINJAGO is under threat and Master Wu needs more Ninjas than ever to help save LEGO NINJAGO from the evil forces that threaten its very existence. Young Ninjas can enroll to attend LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago's Join Team Ninja Training Camp and level up their Ninja skills to master the six Ninja virtues - courage, balance, honesty, generosity, curiosity, and wisdom.

Come along and find out if you've got what it takes to level up, Be Ninja and protect the LEGO NINJAGO legacy!

When: Friday, May 27th - Monday, June 27th

Activities Include:

Test your curiosity and search for hidden LEGO NINJAGO characters in MINILAND
Build your balance prowess at the Zipline Station!
Show your generous nature by building a small Ninja for Master Wu!
Pledge your honesty at a take-home card station
Trade Minifigures with our staff!
and so much more...

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May. 31st

Join Sharon, an experienced surrogate, on May 31st to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates and anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you! 10:30am PST. Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83554400620?

https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/events

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Jun. 6th

Join Catherine, an experienced attorney, on June 6th to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates & anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you at 1pm EST!
Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/98555206307

https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/events

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Jun. 14th

Join Sharon, an experienced surrogate, on June 14th to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates and anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you! 10:30am PST.
Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83554400620?

https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/events

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Aug. 1st - 31st

Our Race Through America Virtual Race Series continues! Each month we will race through a different state, until we've race through all of the states in America! For our twentieth race, we will be racing through the great state of Illinois.
We will be donating 15% of each registration in our Race Through America series to Feeding America, who is the leading domestic hunger relief organization with a nationwide network of 200 food banks. We hope to help feed thousands with our Race Through America Series!


What: This is a virtual race. You choose to complete 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2 or 50 Miles. You complete your race on your own and submit your time to us. Then we ship your medal directly to you.

When: Complete your race anytime in August 2022!
*Medals and bibs will ship out within 2 to 5 days of signing up. (medals and bibs start shipping out July 15, 2022)

Where: You choose the course and you time yourself (you'll report your finishing time to us).

Why: To celebrate the beautiful state of Illinois.

COST: $18, which includes your medal, bib and at least 15% of every entry will be donated to Feeding America. *We are in no way affiliated with this charity, we like to choose a different charity for each of our races and are happy to raise funds for them.

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