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!
Jacksonville Public Library
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., Sunday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: 217-243-5435
Boy Scouts - Abraham Lincoln Council Type of service: Leadership development, Character development and Community Service What they do: Camping, fishing, boating and Career surveying Who is eligible? Cub Scouts are Kindergarten - 5th grade, boys and girls. Scouts BSA are 6-12th grade, boys and girls. Venturing Crew is coed ages 14-21. Sea Scouts are 14-21 and for both boys and girls. Exploring are 14- 21 and for both boys and girls. There is a $66 yearly fee but this fee may be reduced or eliminated through fundraising. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call Abraham Lincoln Council and they 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: 217-529-2727 Contact person: Matt Torres or James Grable email: Matt.torres@scouting.org or James.grable@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: Youth Group/Youth Development What they do: 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. 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 Wednesdays 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm during the school year) 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
First Christian Church - The Warehouse Type of Services: Youth Group What they do: Youth group with weekly gatherings/activities and other special events Who is eligible: Middle School and High School (No transportation provided)
Address: 2106 S Main St, Jacksonville Hours of operation: Middle School – Sunday 9:15-10:15 AM, 10:45-11:45 AM. High School 5:30-8:00 PM Phone Number: 217-243-6445 Contact Person(s): CJ Monroe (Middle School Pastor), Zach Nave (High School Pastor) Email: cj@1c.church , zach@1c.church
Website: https://www.1c.church/the-warehouse Facebook: Middle School https://www.facebook.com/fccmiddleschoolwarehouse/ High School https://www.facebook.com/FCCHighSchoolWarehouse/
Walking for Wellness
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: October through March on days that school is in session, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. (at JHS Bowl) and year around, 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. - 9:00 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 Overnight Camps Who is eligible? 6-14 years old (day camp) or 9 - 14 years old (overnight camp). Limited scholarships available. Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call, email, visit website or Facebook
Address: 2244 4-H Club Lane, Jacksonville IL Hours of operation: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Daily Phone number: 217-673-3771 or 217-370-8593 Contact person: Tanell Anders 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: greenpasturesretreatcenter@gmail.com