TEENS

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 Access Pass is now required for all program participants and their families for registration into HPNC and on-site partner programs.

Open Gym Basketball

Sept 3 - Dec 17, 2025

Open gym basketball at HPNC is for new as well as skilled players. HPNC staff will facilitate 5-on-5 full court games, open to all genders.

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.

High School: Mondays 4:30-6:00 pm

Middle School: Wednesdays 4:00-5:30 pm
Cost: Free with HPNC Access Pass

Open gym basketball

Leaders in Training (L.I.T.)

Rising 5th-8th graders

HPNC’s L.I.T. program promotes the positive development of middle school youth by equipping them with the tools needed to build social-emotional skills, become community pathfinders, and advocate for adolescent needs. Using evidence-based curriculum, youth will learn important life skills and discover their own strengths and passions while taking on community leadership, service learning, and entrepreneurship projects. Youth will engage in activities like meaningful debates, weekly self-reflection, team challenges, and youth-led program planning across topics they identify as important.  

The L.I.T. Program will consist of a Youth Advisory Board, providing a youth-led platform for participants to give feedback, share input, organize family engagement events, and have a bigger voice in programming planning/activities offered. The Youth Advisory Board will focus on youth empowerment and confidence building, conveying the message that youth can change the world and it starts with their development of strategic planning skills and community engagement. 

L.I.T. participants will receive academic support and tutoring, while also providing the same type of support to our Kindergartens and first graders. Program fee is discounted for 7th and 8th grade students.

Book Club

Fall 2025: Registration is open!

November 17, 2025 - January 8, 2026

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!

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!

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!

Winter 2025-26 Book:

Ban this Book by Alan Gratz

Session 1: Monday, November 17, 4:15-5:00
Session 2: Thursday, December 18, 5:15-6:15
Session 3: Thursday, January 8, 5:15-6:15
Session 4: Thursday, January 15, 5:15-6:15

Who: Youth ages 9-14

Cost: Free with HPNC Access Pass

Counselors in Training (C.I.T.)

Rising 8th - 9th Grade

First Cohort: Summer 2026

Calling all rising 8th and 9th graders! If you’re ready to level up your summer and make a real impact, our Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program is your ultimate adventure. As a C.I.T, you’ll take on the exciting role of a junior staff member, working hands-on in a summer classroom to assist group leaders and support younger campers. But that’s not all—this program is packed with exclusive workshops where you’ll learn the ins and outs of working with kids, leading activities, and building essential leadership skills.
You’ll sharpen your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities, all while having fun and connecting with new friends. Plus, this is your chance to jump-start your journey toward becoming a camp counselor with HPNC through our participant-to-staff pathway—setting you up for future success! Ready to gain experience, make an impact, and have a summer you’ll never forget? Don’t wait—only a few spots available! Your leadership journey starts here.

This program is application based, and campers will be chosen through an interview process. Once registered, prospective campers will receive a link to the application.

Open gym basketball

MAPSCorps

Each summer, HPNC partners with MAPSCorps to provide meaningful work experience and high-quality data for high school youth. Recruited to be employed as community data scientists, youth were trained to apply scientific method and mobile technology to capture data about all the public facing businesses and organizations serving their communities. During this program, youth were challenged to demonstrate personal integrity and apply their best critical thinking skills to the scientific, health, and civic engagement components of the MAPCorps experience.

At MAPSCorps, Youth Researchers work with community-based organizations to collect valuable information (data) about the businesses and organizations in Chicago's communities. Once that data is collected, Youth Researchers work as a team to research their community and use the data to make recommendations for how to improve the health and well-being of the community's residents. At the end of the summer, Youth Researchers present their research and recommendations to researchers, policy-makers, elected officials, and other professionals at the August Scientific Symposium.

Check back next spring for information regarding summer 2026.

Learn more

Teens

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.