🔥 Let’s IGNITE
Spring break isn’t just time off — it’s time to explore, connect, and grow.
The IGNITE Spring Break Experience is a three-day immersive experience designed to blend fun, creativity, and career exploration for middle school students in the South Suburbs. Through hands-on activities, team-building experiences, and real-world exposure, students will build confidence, expand their thinking, and create lasting memories — all in a safe, structured environment led by You Matter 2 staff. |
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Registration Fee:
Flossmoor Community Church 2218 Hutchison Rd, Flossmoor, IL 60422 |
Need Transportation from Home?
We’ve partnered with BBN Transport Agency to provide optional home transportation for families who need additional convenience. Transportation Rates:
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The Experience
🎳 Wednesday, April 1 — Team Fun & Connection
Students will kick off spring break at Up Your Alley for bowling, laser tag, arcade games & more — building teamwork, confidence, and friendships through interactive play.
- Drop-Off: 11:00 AM
- Pick-Up: 3:00 PM
🎈 Thursday, April 2 — Immersive Art Experience
Students will visit the EmotionAir exhibit at the Balloon Museum, featuring monumental installations, vibrant colors, and larger-than-life artworks that invite guests to touch, play, and participate.
This interactive, multisensory art experience blends creativity, reflection, and fun — giving students the opportunity to move through imaginative spaces designed to spark inspiration and engagement in unforgettable ways. The day includes lunch at Giordano’s.
This interactive, multisensory art experience blends creativity, reflection, and fun — giving students the opportunity to move through imaginative spaces designed to spark inspiration and engagement in unforgettable ways. The day includes lunch at Giordano’s.
- Drop-Off: 11:30 AM
- Pick-Up: 5:00 PM
✈️ Friday, April 3 — Career Discovery in Aviation
Students will visit the Aviation Institute of Maintenance to explore aviation career pathways and hands-on technical training programs. They will also experience an actual airplane hangar, seeing aircraft up close and learning how technicians service and maintain them.
- Drop-Off: 11:00 AM
- Pick-Up: 2:00 PM
You Matter 2 Discover U
The Discover U: Spring Break College & Career Experience is a week-long, in-state exploration opportunity for high school students that offers local college tours, career site visits, and team-building experiences during their spring break. Designed as an alternative to the biennial out-of-state college tour, this experience provides students with accessible exposure to post-secondary education and career pathways—without requiring overnight travel. Students will engage in hands-on exploration across five days, building insight into their futures and strengthening their decision-making as they approach graduation.
Questions? Contact our High School Program Facilitator Brandy Marshall | [email protected] | 708-996-1043 |
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What to Expect
- College Campus Tours: Visit a variety of in-state institutions to get a firsthand look at college life.
- Career Site Visits: Explore workplaces across industries including tech, healthcare, entrepreneurship, finance, media, trades, and more.
- Team-Building & Group Activities: Build connections with peers and mentors through daily debriefs, games, and leadership challenges.
- Final Day of Fun: Wrap up the week with a fun, celebratory group outing!
Requirements to Participate
- Open to current 9th–12th grade students
- Registration fee $150 — fundraising support will be available
- Fee includes transportation, college & career visits, light breakfast, one meal a day, snacks, and t-shirt
- Students must attend two mandatory pre-experience workshops
- Daily drop-off and pick-up--no overnight stay
- A minimum of 15 students must be registered for the experience to take place
- Students must commit to all 5 days of participation
- Complete all required forms and waivers
- Parent/guardian participation in the virtual info session is strongly encouraged
Tentative College & Career Visits
Note: The schedule is still being finalized. Sites may change based on availability.
- Chicago State University
- University of Illinois Chicago
- Purdue University
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Illinois State University
- Dot Foods
- Google Chicago - Fulton Market
- Mielle Organics
- Motorola Solutions
- PepsiCo