We have a new way for you to contact the library!  Click on the orange “Ask a Question” tab on the right-hand side to chat with us. (you will only be able to chat with us if we are logged in at the library).  You can also click the orange button to receive a text reply or view this video to see a short demonstration!  Try it now!

 Keeping Kids Busy, Keeping Kids Safe, and Keeping Kids Strong!!

We have created this web link for parents and students to spread the word about summer activities that are being offered in the Effingham area. Research shows keeping students involved in supervised summer activities will help keep them from getting involved in drugs, alcohol, and violence. This page shows the majority of activities offered to students of our community. Below you will find links and information about activities offered by the following groups; Effingham Park District, Helen Matthes Library, area churches, 180 and Club 56, Effingham summer food program, Lakeland College Summer programs, various camps, and many other opportunities.

To use this link, please scroll down the page and view the various descriptions of activities offered for kids in Effingham County.  Click on any available link to view detailed calendars, camp forms, and other information about activities.

Transportation: Below you will find the information for a FREE ride, through CEFS, to the Summer Food Program at West Side School. In order to get a FREE ride, you must register by calling 1-877-360-4085. After you are registered, you must call the same phone number to let them know what days you want them to pick you up for the Summer Food Program.  CEFS is planning on making multiple stops throughout the community for transportation to the program.

At the bottom of this web page is more information about Central IL Public Transit.

SUMMER FREE FOOD PROGRAM: The flyer below describes the lunch program at West Side School. Along with a FREE lunch daily, there will also be supervised activities for the kids to do after or before they eat lunch. The program runs from 11am to 1pm Monday thru Friday. Remember transportation is FREE if you call ahead.

SUMMER Lunch for Kids
Where? West Side School Cafeteria, Across from Samuel’s Music on W. Fayette Ave. and EDGEWOOD DANKS COMMUNITY CTR
When? June 3, 2013 – July 19, 2013
What time is lunch available? Any time between 11am – 1pm
What days? Monday through Friday @ WEST SIDE and M-W-F @ Edgewood Community Center
What else? Activities, cooking classes, educational programming, crafts
Free Transportation to Summer Food (Effingham Residents) call CIPT 1-855-755-2478
Who can eat? All kids 0 – 18 years
No income or eligibility requirements!!!
Who can I contact for more information? Kathy Nava-Sifuentes w/ Unit 40 Schools, 217-540-1413; Sister Carol @ Catholic Charities, 217-857-1458
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

EFFINGHAM PARK DISTRICT
Many summer sports and programs are available to participate in through the Eff. Park District. Below you will see a couple different links that will take you straight to the Park District’s webpage where you can view upcoming activities. The Park District has something for every child, from baseball to cooking and crafts. The cost for these programs are low but if you need assistance please call (217)342-4415.

For Programs and Sports Click on this link.
Click on Programs, and under programs you can look at various activities or sports that the Park District is offering this summer.

Also if you want to view their entire summer calendar click on this link.

Transportation Available in Effingham through CIPS (Central IL Public Transit). Call 1-855-755-2478 http://www.cefseoc.org/CIPT/CIPT.htm
Open to Everyone, Office hours are 8:30am 4:30pm. Transportation routes run from 6am to 6pm

• Need to call and give 24 hr notice
• $1.00 per one way stop, each stop is one way (10 mile radius)
• $2.00 per one way trip (11-25 mile radius)
• Children 12 and under are 50 cents per one way trip
• Monthly and one way passes are available for purchase

HELEN MATTHES LIBRARY
Each month, the library host a variety of events for children, tween, and teens, including lapsits and story times, movie events, Art Attack, games, and so much more! The library also hosts a free Summer Read Program for kids and adults. No library card is needed to participate.

If you have any questions about the library’s children’s programs or ideas for future programs, please contact Sara Smith at 217-342-2464.

Mon – Thurs 9AM – 8PM
Fri –9am-6pm
Sat 9AM – 5PM
Sunday Closed

Click on this link to go directly to the Library’s monthly calendar. It is full of activities for ALL AGES and no library card is required.

Effingham Unit #40 Summer Camps Sports Camps
There are various sports camps offered at Effingham Jr. High and High School.  Please call the High School office at 217-540-1500.

2013 Unit #40 Summer Physicals, Camp and Shootout Schedule

• Boys Basketball Camp with Coach Ron Reed: May 22 – May 25 at EHS Gym A-B from 9am-2:30pm for 3rd-9th Grade. Cost is $40.
• Girls Basketball Camp with Coach Jeff Schafer: May 28 – May 31 at EHS Gym A-B from 8am-noon and 1-4pm for 1st-12th Grade. Cast is $40.
• Volleyball Camp with Coach Lauri Bohnhoff: June 3 – Jun 7 at EHS Gym A-B from 8am-9pm for 5th-12th Grade. Cost is 40.
• Cheerleading Camp with Coach Dana Koester: June 10 – 13 at EHS Gym A from 8am-noon for 2nd-6th Grade. Cost is $40.
• FCA Camp with Coach Chris Fleener: June 17 – June 19 at EHS Gyms/Fields from 8:30am-2:45pm for 5th-8th Grade. No Charge.
• Girls Varsity Basketball Shootout with Coach Jeff Schafer: June 27 – June 30 at EHS Gym A-B/JH from 8am-9pm for Junior High and High School. Cost is $300/team.
• Lil Hearts Football Camp with Coach Mike McDonald: July 15 – July 18 at EHS Football Field from 9am-noon for 4th-8th Grade. Cost is $40.
• Girls Softball Camp with Coaches Lindsay Francis and Jeff Tonn: July 15 – July 18 at EHS Softball Field from 4pm-8pm for 4th-8th Grades. Cost is $40.
• Football Camp with Coach Mike McDonald: July 29 – August 2 at EHS Football Field from 4pm-8pm for 9th-12th Grade. No Charge.
• Baseball Camp with Coach Rod Wiethop: July 22 – July 24 at EHS Baseball Field from 8am to noon for 4th-8th Grade. Cost is $40.

Effingham Unit #40 Athletic Physicals will take place at Effingham High School on the following date:
Boys/Girls Athletic Physicals: Monday, June 3, 2013, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m.
Girls: 5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Boys: 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Cost of Physicals: $20.00

Other Effingham Community Camps/Activities
Effingham Performance Center is offering a Summer Theater Camp. This camp is for students aged 8-18.  For more information call 217.540.2788, or go to http://the-epc.org/index.html

Lake Land College is offering various activities for students.  Activities such as arts and craft, food and fun, discover and learn, and science adventures will be offered through the college with some of these activities at the Kluthe location in Effingham.  Call 217-234-5434 for more information or click on this link to view the activities.  www.lakelandcollege.edu/learn

Ballard Nature Center: A great place to have outdoor fun with the kids, they also offer some summer camps. Visit their site at http://www.ballardnaturecenter.org/index.htm
5253 E. US Highway 40, Altamont, Illinois 62411, Phone: 618.483.6856

First Christian Church of Effingham, 217-317-3800: For Students in Kindergarten to 6th Grade

New Hope Church, Effingham
ONEIGHTY is a teen outreach that exists to provide a safe, interactive environment where youth can build positive relationships with peers, volunteers and most importantly, God. http://www.180effingham.com

Club 56: This event is for all 5th and 6th graders and their families. The purpose is to welcome the new 5th graders to Club 56.
Location: ONEIGHTY

Click here for their complete calendar of events http://newhopechurch.cc/events/new-hope-calendar

Cornerstone Christian Church, Effingham, (217)-342-6770
Click here for their entire calendar http://www.effinghamcornerstone.net/calendar.php?pageID=5

SKY Vacation Bible School
Online Registration available at: www.effinghamcornerstone.net