In a land not so far away, known as the grand state of Illinois, where the mighty Mississippi River dances with the sunlight and the iconic city of Chicago sings a song of hustle and bustle, there lies an extraordinary group of kiddos. They're not your ordinary bunch, oh no! They are the Reading Rangers of Illinois, the heroes of the storybooks, the conquerors of words! These Reading Rangers have an insatiable curiosity and an unstoppable imagination that can journey through realms of fantasy, adventure, and mystery without leaving home. Each day, they embark on an adventurous quest, armed with words, sentences, and paragraphs. They dive into books in the bustling libraries of Chicago, in the calm corners of Springfield, and even under the vast starry skies of Shawnee National Forest. Leading this brave group is our cool, imaginary character, outspoken and mischievous BookBug, a talking bookmark with spectacles as thick as the Chicago-style pizza, and a cape as long as the Mississippi River! BookBug, with his knack for turning pages and spinning stories, navigates the Reading Rangers through the jungle of alphabets, rescues them from the quicksand of confusion, and fights off the dreaded monster called Boredom. Each day, BookBug and the Reading Rangers laugh in the face of the impossible words, wrestle with tricky phrases, and make friends with letters big and small. They solve riddles, crack codes, and unlock secrets hidden among the pages, all while having a bellyful of laughs. In Illinois, reading is not just an activity, it's a roller coaster ride of fun, and the Reading Rangers are the most fearless riders!
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The Happy Hive is an inclusive play space designed to spark joy and connection for every child. With a special focus on comfort and accessibility for neurodivergent kids, our environment welcomes children of all abilities to explore, move, and create at their own pace. From climbing walls, swings, and zip lines to dedicated zones for pretend play and art, The Happy Hive offers both high-energy fun and creative outlets. While we cater to children ages 1-13 for neurotypical kids, we have no age limit when it comes to kids with special needs—because play should have no boundaries. At The Happy Hive, we believe every child deserves a space where they can feel safe, included, and free to be themselves.
In 1957, Jim Clarkson founded the Northfield Park District with a mission to meet the recreational needs of the community. Mr. Clarkson, who was also teaching Physical Education at Sunset Ridge School, began his park district work as a part-time proposition. Today, the Park District continues to serve the residents of Northfield, supervising the usage and maintenance of park resources and providing a variety of facilities, programs, and activities. Whether it's a game of pickup basketball or a nature walk in the woods, the Park District is dedicated to helping residents of all ages make the most of their leisure time.