Are you bored and looking for something to DO? There are a ton of activities in Jacksonville, and many are FREE! For more ideas on activities, see the volunteering page too!
MYPLAN Team (Midwest Youth Positive Leaders Affecting Neighborhoods)
Type of Service: Activities, Youth development What they do: Positively affect their neighborhoods through community service, leadership building activities, and volunteerism Who is eligible? Must live in Brown, Cass, Morgan, Scott or Schuyler Counties of Illinois and must be 12 – 17 years old Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Follow Midwest Youth Services on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MidwestYouthServices/or Instagram (@MidwestYouthServicesil). Call Kacy Anderson at 217-245-6000 or email at kanderson@mys-kids.org
Address: 2001 W. Lafayette Avenue, Jacksonville Hours of Operation: Once a month meetings, in addition to volunteer opportunities Phone Number: 217-245-6000
Type of Service: Activities What they do: Programming that promotes learning, literacy, and more! Lego Club, Poetry Club, STE(A)M programs, Storytime and Lapsit (for little kids), Community Book Club, concerts, art displays, workshops, and talks/lectures Who is eligible? Open to all! Some programs require registration. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Visit the website to learn more. Click on "Upcoming Events"
Address: 201 W. College Ave., Jacksonville Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone Number: 217-243-5435
Type of service: Leadership development What they do: Troops, camp, venturing crew Who is eligible? Cub Scouts are 1st - 5th grade, boys only. Boy Scouts are 6-12th grade, boys only. Venturing Crew is boys and girls ages 14-21. There is a $24 yearly fee but this fee may be reduced or eliminated through fundraising. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call Jerry Daniels and he will connect you with the right unit or program in Jacksonville
Address: 5231 South 6th Street Rd., Springfield 62703 Hours of operation: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone number: 217-320-4742 Contact person: Jerry Daniels email: jerrydaniels@scouting.org
Type of service: Leadership development, recreation What they do: Troops, camp Who is eligible? Ages 5-18. Open to all girls. There is a registration form (paper or online) as well as a fee. Membership Assistance is available. No one will be turned away due to financial reasons. Ages for camps vary, as do costs. There are sliding fee scales and financial assistance for camp. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: For a troop: Call, email, or Facebook message to find out about Jacksonville troops; For camp: Register online, call, email, or Facebook message or come into office with questions
What they are: A shop that hosts events for role playing games and trading card games (D&D, Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, etc) Fee? Yes, fees vary depending on the event. Best way to access services: Walk in or check out their FB page for events.
Address: 221 E. State St, Jacksonville Hours of operation: 12 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. Phone: 217-245-0306
Type of service: Activities, youth development What they do: All kinds of activities - whatever your interest is, they either have something to match it, or they can help you learn more. They have events and classes, including art, theater, and photography (photography club meets every other Tuesday) Who is eligible? Open to all. You can even bring your friends or family with you! Referral needed? No. There may be a fee for classes, but some scholarships are available! Best way to access services: Walk in or email with questions. Visit their Facebook page frequently for updates on events!
Address: 210 W. College, Jacksonville Hours of operation: Most afternoons and evenings email: jacksonvilledreamcenter@gmail.com
Type of service: Youth development What they do: After school and summer drop in community center. There is a gym, volleyball team, weight room, tutoring, homework help, and activity rooms for arts, games, music, and more! Parent/toddler room. Free! Who is eligible? Ages 5 and up. Under 5 must be accompanied by an adult. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Just show up!
Address: 105 E. Dunlap, Jacksonville IL Hours of operation: 2:45 - 5 p.m. (school year). 1:30 - 5 p.m. (summer) Phone number: 217-371-6363 Contact person: Polly Pulley
Salvation Army
Type of service: Camp, Youth Group/Youth Development What they do: Camp, Youth group (7th - 12th grade), Cub Scouts (1st - 6th grade), Sunbeams (girls 1st - 6th grade), Corp Cadets (7th - 12th grade), Girl Guards (7th - 12th grade) Who is eligible? Varies, depending on program. Financial assistance for camp is available. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call or walk in for more information
Address: 331 W. Douglas Ave., Jacksonville Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12 noon and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (group meeting times vary) Phone number: 217-245-7124
4-H (through the University of Illinois Extension Office)
Type of service: Youth Development What they do: Cloverbuds and 4H groups Who is eligible? Ages 5-7 can do Cloverbud, ages 8 and up can enroll in 4-H Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call or email for more information
Address: 104 N. Westgate Ave., Jacksonville Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12 noon and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Phone number: 217-243-7424
Type of service: Youth group/Youth development What they do: Youth group with weekly meetings/activities and special events Who is eligible? Middle School on Wednesday from 6 - 7:30 p.m. and and High School on Thursday from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Transportation can be provided by request. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Can just show up or call the office by 9 p.m. the night before if you need a ride.
Address: 2106 S. Main St., Jacksonville Hours of operation: Jr High: Wednesday 6 - 7:30 p.m., and High School: Thurs 7 - 8:30 p.m. Phone number: 217-243-6445 Contact person: Patrick Crawford email: Patrick.Crawford@fccjacksonville.org
Type of service: Recreation What they do: Walking/exercise program Who is eligible? Anyone! Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Just show up. There's a sign in sheet when you arrive.
Address: JHS Bowl (215 S. Church St, Jacksonville) or First Christian Church (2106 S. Main St., Jacksonville) Hours of operation: November through March on days that school is in session, 6 a.m. - 1 p.m. (at JHS Bowl) and 1 - 4 p.m. (at FCC)
YMCA
Type of service: Recreation, after school, and camp What they do: fitness, youth and adult sports, aquatics Who is eligible? Open to all. Youth, individual, and family memberships, and Day Passes. Membership assistance available. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call or walk-in to register
Address: 1000 Sherwood Lane, Jacksonville Phone: 217-245-2141 Contact person: Lynn Colburn (membership) or Judy Wright (after school and camp) Hours of operation: Regular facility: Monday - Friday, 5 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Saturday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Nov 1 - May 1); (No Sunday hours from May 2 - Oct 31) After school program: until 6 p.m. Summer camp: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. (half days available)
Type of service: Camp What they do: Day Camps and Residential Camps Who is eligible? 7-14 years old (day camp) or 9 - 15 years old (residential camp). Limited scholarships through the United Way Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call or email
Address: 2244 4-H Club Lane, Jacksonville IL Hours of operation: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Daily Phone number: 217-673-3771 Contact person: Kori Daniels email: contactourcamp@gmail.com
Green Pastures Christian Campground and Retreat Center
Type of service: Camp What they do: Camp and retreat center Who is eligible? All are welcome. Ages for camps vary. Most are 5th - 12th grade, and past campers can come back for certain events. Financial assistance is available. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Get registration form from website and mail it in.
Address: 1936 US Hwy 67, Meredosia Hours of operation: Can call anytime. Director lives on the camp property. Phone number: 217-584-1374 email: greenpast@adams.net