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THE EMERALD ACADEMY SCHEDULE

August - October 2026 schedule
Open to view all three months. Registration opens 8/4 for Aug-Oct
If you are interested in Saturday options for Budding Entrepreneur or Leadership Club, please email us

CLASS/WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

The Emerald Academy - Youth Enrichment programs
The Emerald Academy - Youth Enrichment programs
The Emerald Academy - Youth Enrichment programs
The Emerald Academy - Youth Enrichment programs
The Emerald Academy - Youth Enrichment programs
The Emerald Academy - Youth Enrichment programs
The Emerald Academy - Youth Enrichment programs

FALL 2026 PROGRAMMING

August - October 2026 program offerings (keep scrolling for private workshop options)

​​​Budding Entrepreneur

Budding Entrepreneur meets once a week for 6 weeks. The class is offered twice a week, so participants can choose which day works best for them. They do not have to come to the same day each week. The program concludes with a Budding Entrepreneur Fair open to the public (on a Sat or Sun). Date announced soon. 

Does your child have an entrepreneurial spirit? Do they dream of owning a business someday? Maybe they're always coming up with creative ideas, making crafts to sell, baking treats, or finding new ways to earn money. Or maybe they have no idea what kind of business they'd like to start yet—and that's perfectly okay!

Budding Entrepreneur Academy is an exciting 6-week hands-on program where young entrepreneurs learn what it takes to turn an idea into a real business. Participants do not need to have a business idea before enrolling. Throughout the program, we'll help them discover their interests, strengths, talents, and passions while guiding them through every step of the entrepreneurial journey.

Each week focuses on a new stage of building a business. Participants will brainstorm ideas, research their market, develop a business plan, create a brand identity, design a logo, build a simple website, develop marketing materials, learn basic budgeting and pricing, practice customer service and public speaking, and prepare to launch their business with confidence.​ Students will complete weekly milestones using their Budding Entrepreneur Academy Workbook, along with a few fun at-home assignments that help keep their business moving forward between classes. Participants must bring a laptop to class on certain weeks. When you enroll, you will receive more specifics and instructions on this. 

The program concludes with our Budding Entrepreneur Fair, where family, friends, and members of the community are invited to shop, support, and celebrate these young business owners. Each participant will showcase their business, confidently present their story, and sell their product or service in a real marketplace experience.​ Whether they dream of opening a bakery, designing jewelry, creating artwork, offering pet services, or inventing something completely new, Budding Entrepreneur Academy gives young dreamers the confidence, skills, and experience to turn "What if?" into "I did it."

This is our signature program. Our founder has been an entrepreneur for over 15 years and has been educating youth on entrepreneurship for just as long!

​COST: $199 for 6 class series (includes the Budding Entrepreneur Fair)

Leadership Club

The club meets twice each month from September through December. The one-time fee covers all 4 months. On the calendar you will see three different days to choose from, depending on age. Participants do NOT have to come to the same day each month. You can switch it up! The Saturday event is for ALL ages as we meet at that month's give back/outreach/volunteer opportunity.

 

Leadership Club is a hands-on program for youth who want to build confidence, develop leadership skills, make new friends, and make a meaningful impact in their community. Rather than simply learning about leadership, participants will put it into practice through teamwork, service projects, problem-solving, communication, and real-world experience
 

Meeting One: Participants will explore a new leadership topic through interactive activities, discussions, games, and team-building challenges. They will also plan and prepare that month's community service project, learning the value of collaboration, initiative, and giving back.

Meeting Two: It's time to put leadership into action! Participants will visit a local organization or community partner to deliver their project, volunteer, or serve others firsthand. Service opportunities may include visiting senior living communities, assembling care packages, supporting local nonprofits, participating in community improvement projects, and other meaningful experiences that help make a difference.

Throughout the semester (Sept - Dec), participants will develop valuable life skills including communication, teamwork, empathy, responsibility, organization, problem-solving, public speaking, and confidence while discovering that true leadership isn't about being the loudest voice in the room—it's about making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Leadership Club members will also have the opportunity to serve as Emerald Ambassadors by volunteering at select Emerald Academy workshops and events. Ambassadors help welcome families, assist instructors with activities, encourage younger children, and represent the values of The Emerald while gaining additional leadership experience.

Whether your child is already a natural leader or simply looking to build confidence and step outside their comfort zone, Leadership Club provides a welcoming environment to learn, grow, serve, and lead.​ Because the best leaders don't just talk about making a difference—they make one.​​

What we'll be working on:

  • Leadership Skills

  • Community Service

  • Teamwork & Collaboration

  • Communication

  • Public Speaking

  • Confidence Building

  • Problem Solving

  • Volunteer Opportunities

  • Emerald Ambassador Opportunities

​COST: $129 for 4 months (meets 2x a month)

Life Skills for Real World Success

School teaches math, science, and history—but what about the skills needed to confidently navigate everyday life?​ In this interactive workshop, participants will build practical life skills that help them succeed in school, friendships, future careers, and their communities. Through games, discussions, role-playing, and real-world scenarios, we'll explore topics like communication, confidence, leadership, problem-solving, responsibility, etiquette, and making a positive first impression.

Whether introducing yourself to someone new, participating in a conversation, showing respect, speaking up with confidence, or handling challenges with maturity, these are the skills that help young people stand out and thrive.​ Because success isn't just about what you know—it's about how you connect, communicate, and show up in the world.

  • Communication skills and manners

  • Paying with cash and counting change

  • Household skills and tools

  • Phone etiquette

  • Personal safety - knowing addresses and phone numbers

  • Addressing an envelope and mailing it

 

And so much more!

​COST: $29 for 2 hour class

Young Authors Workshop

Every great book begins with an idea....and an imagination.

In Young Authors Workshop, young writers will discover how to turn their imagination into a story they can be proud of.  Guided by a published children's author, participants will explore the exciting world of storytelling while learning how to create memorable characters, build imaginative settings, develop engaging plots, and bring their ideas to life. Participants will be writing a children's picture book (10-20 pages). They will create a digital book, this isn't just a "pen and paper" book!

Through interactive activities, creative writing exercises, games, and plenty of encouragement, young authors will build confidence in their writing while discovering that every story and every voice is unique.

Throughout the course, participants will work toward creating their own original story, complete with a title, cover design, and author page. The program concludes with a special Author Celebration where students can proudly share their work with family and friends.​ Whether your child already loves to write or simply has a big imagination waiting to be discovered, Young Authors Workshop provides a fun, supportive environment where creativity can flourish.

​COST: $119 for 3 class series

Resume and Personal Branding

Whether you're applying for your first job, preparing for college, or exploring leadership opportunities, this workshop will help you present yourself with confidence. Learn how to showcase your skills, experiences, and accomplishments with confidence. Participants will create or improve their resume, explore what makes them unique, and learn how to build a personal brand that stands out for jobs, internships, scholarships, college applications, and leadership opportunities. PLEASE BRING A LAPTOP.

​COST: $29 for 2 hour class

SUGGESTED ADD ON: Additional 1 hour one-on-one with instructor to finalize resume, website, etc. This can be booked any day but should be at least 1 week after class.

Pop-Up Parties (click here for our Pop-Up Party page)

Parents deserve a night out, too! Drop the kids off and enjoy an evening to yourselves while they enjoy an unforgettable night of fun at The Emerald. Unlike our educational workshops, Kids' Night Out is a little louder! With the usual laughter, creativity, friendship, and memory making.

Each themed event includes a variety of games, crafts, activities, music, dancing, snacks, and plenty of opportunities to meet new friends. No two nights are ever the same! While the kids are having a blast, parents can enjoy a date night, dinner with friends, run errands, or simply relax for a few hours.

​COST: $25 per child or $45 for two siblings

PRIVATE GROUP WORKSHOPS

Book your group today! CLICK HERE

Kindness Rocks

Kindness has the power to change someone's day—and sometimes even their life. In this hands-on workshop, participants will create colorful kindness rocks filled with encouraging messages while learning about empathy, compassion, and the importance of making a positive impact in their community.

Uniquely YOU

Because the world doesn't need another copy...it needs YOU.

Every person has unique gifts, talents, experiences, and dreams. You were never meant to be a copy of someone else. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore their strengths, interests, personality, values, and dreams while gaining confidence in what makes them unique. Through creative activities, discussion, and self-discovery exercises, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of who they are and the confidence to embrace it.

Vision Boards

Vision boards are powerful. They are an essential tool to achieving your goals, no matter your age. Many people think of vision boards as a January "to-do"...but for kids, their lives are very much lived by the school year (Aug-May). So July is a perfect time to make one for the new school year!

What is a vision board? It is a collection of images, words, and phrases that represent your dreams and goals.  Creating a vision board that you will look at daily to be reminded of your goals....will accelerate those goals becoming a reality. Instructed by a certified Success Principles trainer.

Life Skills for Real World Success

School teaches math, science, and history—but what about the skills needed to confidently navigate everyday life?​ In this interactive workshop, participants will build practical life skills that help them succeed in school, friendships, future careers, and their communities. Through games, discussions, role-playing, and real-world scenarios, we'll explore topics like communication, confidence, leadership, problem-solving, responsibility, etiquette, and making a positive first impression.

Whether introducing yourself to someone new, participating in a conversation, showing respect, speaking up with confidence, or handling challenges with maturity, these are the skills that help young people stand out and thrive.​ Because success isn't just about what you know—it's about how you connect, communicate, and show up in the world.​

Paving a Path to Success

In today's world, children feel so much pressure from a young age. Whether it's academic, social, or extracurricular. Many are struggling mentally and emotionally...or even just with their confidence and social skills.

Paving a Path to Success helps set kids up for success. It helps them build confidence. It teaches them how to set goals and how to achieve them. The follow through doesn't come without guidance. The principles taught are essential for their success, as well as living a confident life. ​

We want to encourage youth to live their dream out loud...and empowering them how to have the confidence and skills to achieve their dreams. Imagine if every adult would have had these tools as a child? It is our hope to provide our youth with the necessary tools for a happy, successful life...that they can carry into their adult life. Proper start...successful future. Instructed by a certified Success Principles trainer.

Workshops vary depending on the length of the workshop and number of day(s), but include a variety of the following:

  • Learning the Principles of Success and how to apply them in every day life

  • Goal setting (short term and long term), and the steps to take to achieve those goals

  • Understanding individual strengths; how and where to use those to be successful

  • Eye contact and clear communication - with peers and adults

  • Confidence building

  • Dream sharing

  • Teambuilding and bonding

  • Vision boards

  • Come as You'll Be Party

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OUR LOCATION

Cedar Avenue Business Center

1020 Cedar Avenue, Suite 208 in St. Charles, IL 60174

The Emerald in St. Charles

© 2026 Website designed by Live Your Dream Out Loud LLC

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