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​
Winter 2026
January 6 - March 21, 2026
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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.​​
Saturdays 10-11a.m. *begins January 31st.
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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: Dates TBD​
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Middle School Open Gym: Dates TBD
Volleyball
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Winter 2026
January 12 - March 9, 2026
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Ready to serve, set, and spike? Our Volleyball Skills & Play program is a high-energy, once-a-week experience designed for 3rd–8th graders who want to learn the game while having fun!
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This activity focuses on volleyball fundamentals—including serving, passing, setting, positioning, and teamwork—through drills, games, and guided play. Youth don’t need prior experience; beginners and those looking to build confidence are welcome. Each session balances skill development with structured play time, giving participants a chance to apply what they learn in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
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Whether your child is curious about volleyball, wants to try something new, or is looking to sharpen their skills, this program offers a fun way to stay active, build confidence, and connect with peers.
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3rd-8th Grade Volleyball Skills & Play
When: Mondays, 5:15pm-6:15pm
Who: Open to all youth in 3rd to 8th grade of any gender
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Chess Enrichment
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Winter 2026
January 12 - March 16, 2026
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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
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Youth Chess Tournaments - Stay Tuned!
Book Club​
Spring 2026 Book Club
Stay tuned for book and dates!
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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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Who: Youth ages 9-14​​
Kitchen Possible​
January 17 - March 7
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When: Saturdays, 11 AM - 12:30 PM
Price: Free with HPNC Access Pass
Who: Youth ages 8-12​
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Be among the first to enjoy HPNC's new Culinary Classroom!
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At Kitchen Possible, creativity meets confidence — and every activity is designed to help kids try new things, make something delicious, and walk away feeling proud.
In each 8-week session, kids experience powerful life lessons firsthand: patience while they wait for something to cook, courage to ask for help, and the ability to pivot when things don’t go as planned. Every class follows our signature “5 Steps to Cook Anything,” a simple model they can carry with them far beyond the kitchen and into their own goals and challenges.​​
CityStep UChicago
January 14 - May 20
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When: Wednesdays, 5-6 PM
Price: Free with HPNC Access Pass
Who: Youth ages 8-14​
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CityStep invites students to move, create, and shine!
Led by passionate UChicago college mentors, youth build confidence and teamwork through dance and creative expression, all while working toward a powerful end-of-year Spring performance they help design themselves—made to be shared with family, friends, and the whole community.​​
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