Athletics & Enrichment
HPNC welcomes families that receive a childcare subsidy through Illinois Action for Children. ​Additional financial assistance is available for qualifying families. Find out more and submit your eligibility information on our Sliding Scale Pricing page.
Please note that an annual or drop-in Access Pass is required for all Athletics & Enrichment program participants.
Athletics​
Fall 2025: Registration is open!
September 2 - December 17, 2025
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Basketball Skills & Drills
​Basketball has been a part of the HPNC story from our very beginning in 1909. Participants develop fundamental skills while broadening players’ knowledge of positions and responsibilities for an increased basketball IQ. At HPNC, players learn age-appropriate skills and sportsmanship through drills and scrimmages.​​​​​​
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Ages 5-9: Tuesdays 5-6 p.m.​​
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Open Gym
​Open court basketball connects youth throughout the city with the goal of enjoying the game in a fun and safe environment. The free-play atmosphere provides youth agency with their play under the supervision of HPNC staff. ​​​​​
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High School Open Gym: Mondays 4:30-6:00 pm ​
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Middle School Open Gym: Wednesdays 4:00-5:30 pm
Chess Enrichment
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Fall 2025: Registration is open!
September 8 - December 15, 2025
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Participants will learn the purpose and object of the game of chess. They will learn the difference between check and checkmate, the board, the pieces and how they move, piece value, en passant, castling, pawn promotion, opening theory, checkmating patterns, and chess etiquette. ​​
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Kindergarten-8th Grade Chess Class
When: Mondays, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Who: Open to all youth in kindergarten to 8th grade of any gender
Cost: Free with HPNC Access Pass
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Youth Chess Tournaments - Stay Tuned!
Book Club​
Fall 2025: Registration is open!
September 8 - October 13, 2025
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Do you love getting lost in a good book? Want to share your thoughts, explore exciting themes, and dive into hands-on activities that bring stories to life? Then Book Club is the place for you!
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Each participant will receive a book to read, with time built in to read at their own pace. Then, once a week, we’ll meet as a group to chat about what we’ve read—what made us laugh, what made us think, and what made us go “whoa!” Some weeks will include fun, creative activities inspired by the book—think art, games, or even themed challenges!
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This enrichment is perfect for curious readers who want to have fun, make new friends, and experience books in a whole new way. Let the reading adventures begin!
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Fall 2025 Book:
The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
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When: Mondays, 4-4:55 p.m.
Who: Youth ages 9-14
Cost: Free with HPNC Access Pass​
Acrobatic Arts
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This internationally acclaimed curriculum was developed by Mandy Yip and is offered at HPNC through our partner, Kenwood School of Ballet. Acro Dance is based on safe and effective progressions with proven results in five divisions of AcroDance – Flexibility, Strength, Balancing, Limbering, and Tumbling. Developed with input from professional experts in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, contortion, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, yoga, Acro, Pilates, physiotherapy, and more, you will not find a more comprehensive program. Simple, thoughtful progressions take the beginner preschool level dancer from log rolls and somersaults to the advanced dancer tumbling effortlessly across the stage!
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See current offerings on the Kenwood School of Ballet website