BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Gorton Center - ECPv6.15.17//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://gortoncenter.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Gorton Center
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20240310T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20241103T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20250309T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20251102T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20260308T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20261101T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250811T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250811T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T043930
CREATED:20250131T190006Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250718T160732Z
UID:20006301-1754902800-1754924400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:The BIG Ideas Camp
DESCRIPTION:BIG Ideas Camp: Empowering Girls to Lead Boldly\nFor Middle School Girls Ages 11–14 \nCalling all curious\, creative\, and ambitious middle school girls! This summer\, give your daughter the opportunity to unlock her potential\, build lasting confidence\, and dive into the exciting world of entrepreneurship. \nBIG Ideas Camp is a one-week\, hands-on experience that blends design thinking\, startup skills\, and college readiness – all in a fun and supportive environment. Campers will explore who they are\, what they care about\, and how to take action on their ideas. \nWe Inspire Girls to Believe:\n\n\nTheir ideas matter \n\n\nCuriosity and risk-taking lead to growth \n\n\nCollaboration is powerful and fun \n\n\nMistakes are opportunities to learn \n\n\nWhat Will Girls Learn?\n\nConfidence & Resilience: Girls will express themselves\, embrace challenges\, and see failures as stepping stones to success\nEntrepreneurial Thinking: They’ll identify real-world problems and brainstorm innovative solutions using the mindset of a founder\nCreative Problem-Solving: Through design thinking\, campers will research\, ideate\, and prototype answers to issues they care about\nTeamwork & Leadership: Working together on projects\, girls will strengthen communication and leadership skills in a supportive group\nPresentation & Pitching: Campers will build public speaking confidence and share their ideas at a final pop-up shop experience\n\nWhy Choose BIG Ideas Camp?\nThis camp goes beyond basic skills. It transforms how girls see themselves and their potential. Through high-energy\, engaging activities\, your child will build creativity\, confidence\, and resilience – all while having an unforgettable experience. \nSpots fill quickly – don’t miss out on this unique opportunity! \nMeet the Instructor\nKate Jackson\, MA\, MBA\, is the founder and Chief Education Officer of Girl Gonna Launch\, a nonprofit on a mission to help girls launch their dreams. Kate teaches at Northwestern University’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and previously directed a nationally recognized college entrepreneurship program. \nAs a founder and educator\, Kate brings real-world experience from top global companies like Accenture\, Deloitte Consulting\, JP Morgan\, and PBS. She earned her BA and MA from the University of Chicago and holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/the-big-ideas-camp/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Camps,Classes,STEM,Youth
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Big-Ideas.png
GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gorton Center 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest IL 60045;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=400 East Illinois Road:geo:-87.8374004,42.2506703
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250812T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250812T100000
DTSTAMP:20260404T043930
CREATED:20250730T151053Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250804T154951Z
UID:20006513-1754989200-1754992800@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Yoga with Areta
DESCRIPTION:Yoga With Areta \nAreta will guide you through a traditional vinyasa flow yoga class incorporating poses\, breathwork and meditation. This bi-weekly one-hour practice will help release tension and bring you back into balance while opening\, lengthening and strengthening the body.  Whether you are new to yoga or an experienced practitioner\, this mindful flow class will leave you feeling renewed and energized.  Bring a mat and a water bottle. \nTraditional Vinyasa Flow Yoga is a dynamic style of yoga that emphasizes the synchronization of breath and movement as practitioners flow through a sequence of poses. It combines the ancient practice of yoga with a modern approach that focuses on creating a fluid and rhythmic movement pattern. Vinyasa Flow is known for its creative sequencing and the way it allows practitioners to explore their bodies\, breath\, and minds in a harmonious way. \nTaking a yoga class can offer a variety of physical\, mental\, and emotional benefits including improving cardiovascular health\, reducing stress and tension and leaving you feeling more energized and revitalized. \nAreta has been teaching yoga in Lake Forest and in yoga studios along the North Shore for 10 years and is E-RYT 500 Certified. Areta’s passion is bringing yoga to EVERY BODY\, and has additional certifications in Meditation\, Adaptive Yoga for Disabilities\, Senior Yoga\, Love Your Brain for traumatic brain injury\, Yoga for Eating Disorder Recovery\, Yin Yoga\, and Yoga for 12 Step Recovery. Areta teaches yoga to inspire and empower physical well-being\, spiritual balance and awakening for everyday life. She is a long-time resident of Lake Forest and a disability advocate and volunteer yoga coach for the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA).
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/yoga-august-12/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Wellness
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Yoga-Areta.jpg
GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gorton Center 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest IL 60045;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=400 East Illinois Road:geo:-87.8374004,42.2506703
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250812T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250814T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T043930
CREATED:20250207T185400Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250804T165231Z
UID:20006318-1755001800-1755187200@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Safety Town Commanders Camp 2025
DESCRIPTION:THIS CAMP IS NOW CLOSED\nThree-Day Interactive Safety Awareness Program\n\nSafety Town Commanders Camp runs Tuesday August 12  through Thursday August 14 \nThis camp is for 8-10 year-olds only. In order to register for this camp\, your child must be between the ages of 8-10 at the time of camp\, with no exceptions.\n Have a 5-7 year old? Register for Safety Town Majors Camp\n\nWhat A Camp Day Looks Like\nOur Safety Town Commanders Camp is modeled after the original Safety Town\, but with a curriculum built for the next level\, ages 8-10. The focus of this camp will include a review of the original Safety Town Major. We will also go in-depth with experts in areas like fire safety\, internet safety\, self-defense and beyond. Topics will cover many categories pertinent to this age group\, including what to do if your alarm goes off\, gun safety\, walking home alone\, falls\, poison/medicine safety\, bullying/cyberbullying and mindfulness – including yoga. \n\nCamp is dynamic and interactive\, with various what-if scenarios being played out and group discussions moderated by a certified teacher. Children will learn everything from how to use a fire extinguisher to how to navigate safely in today’s cyber world and more! \nWant to be a Safety Town sponsor? Contact Ann Wildman for more information. \nInterested in being a Safety Town Counselor? Sign up here! \n\nWe are proud to have the following experts teaching our camp:\n\n\n\nLake Forest Police Department: LFPD will teach the kids safety awareness and self-defense in a fun/interactive way! They’ll creatively cover topics such as gun safety\, bike and skateboard safety\, what to do when you are home alone and cyber safety/online stranger danger.\n\n\n\n\n\nLake Forest Fire Department:  LFFD will teach kids about everything from fireworks safety to first aid. They will be demonstrating a sprinkler system with a real-live fire in the safe confines of their smokehouse to prompt a discussion about home fire prevention and escape planning. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nK9 Reading Buddies of the Northshore: K9 Reading Buddies of the Northshore will bring their therapy dogs on site and teach the campers all about pet safety! Topics covered will include what to do if a scary or unknown dog approaches and the dos and don’ts around dogs.\n\n\n\n\n\nOperation Lifesaver: Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions\, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and trespassing on or near railroad tracks. Operation Lifesaver will be providing our kids with rail safety education!\n\n  \n  \n  \n \n Yoga with Areta: Our resident yoga instructor will teach about the importance of practicing mindfulness and grounding. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n \nLFOLA will teach our kids all about outdoor safety\, tick safety\, poisonous plants that are indigenous to our prairies\, and why it is so important to get off our screens and get outdoors! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFit2Defend Academy: This will involve an interactive session where kids learn about self-defense and get to practice moves with each other and an instructor.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/safety-town-commanders-2025-2/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Camps,Classes,Youth
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ST-Commanders.png
GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gorton Center 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest IL 60045;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=400 East Illinois Road:geo:-87.8374004,42.2506703
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250813T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250813T120000
DTSTAMP:20260404T043930
CREATED:20230824T060837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250805T140238Z
UID:20003118-1755079200-1755086400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Mahjong August 2025
DESCRIPTION:Come to Gorton’s Mahjong class with friends and neighbors! Over this seven-week course\, you will learn how to play Mahjong based on the National Mahjong rules. Mahjong\, a tile-based game created in 19th century China\, is a social tabletop game that is competitive\, exciting\, mentally stimulating and very fun. This game requires cooperation and strategy between four players\, so it’s a great game to play with friends or a way to make some new ones! \nDebbie will group participants and provide personalized instruction for advanced players as well as players just learning the game.  So\, even if you’ve taken sessions previously\, there is always more strategy to learn! \nAbout Mahjong\nMahjong is a tiled tabletop game that originated in China in the 19th century and has become a staple of Chinese culture and daily life. Although there are many different variations of the game; almost every region of China has its own specialty version\, Mahjong is often played as a four-person game with painted tiles in different suits. Although specific rules vary\, the general goal is to make sets of the same suit or same number\, similar to gin rummy.  \nMahjong was imported to the US in the early 20th century. American Mahjong\, a version created in Chinese neighborhoods in the US\, was first played in the 1920s and has become the most common version played in the US. Sign up for Debbie’s Mahjong class to learn more about the game and get some hands-on experience.  \nNot only is Mahjong an exciting tabletop game played with friends\, it is also a stimulating mental exercise. While not conclusive\, research suggests that brain games can help improve memory retention\, mental sharpness and reduce the risk of dementia. Either way\, Gorton’s Mahjong class is guaranteed to lift your spirits and add some excitement to your week.  \nParticipants will need to purchase the new 2025 Mahjong cards and they are available here-  national mahjong league \n \nDebbie Meyer has been playing Mahjong for over 20 years. Every hand is different and a challenge to put tiles together and exclaim\, ‘Mahjong!’  Come join the fun!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/mahjong-6/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Games
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/mahj-scaled.jpg
GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gorton Center 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest IL 60045;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=400 East Illinois Road:geo:-87.8374004,42.2506703
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250813T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250813T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T043930
CREATED:20230913T182148Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250723T152552Z
UID:20002860-1755090000-1755097200@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Canasta
DESCRIPTION:Learn to Play Canasta with Debbie Meyer\nLooking for a fun and social way to challenge your mind? Canasta is the perfect game! This exciting and strategic card game\, played with partners\, has quickly become a favorite among card enthusiasts of all ages. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to sharpen your skills\, this class is the ideal way to learn and enjoy Canasta in a relaxed and engaging environment. \nLed by experienced instructor Debbie Meyer\, you’ll be guided through the fundamentals of the game—including rules\, scoring\, and key strategies—all while enjoying the lively\, cooperative nature of team play. Debbie will tailor her instruction to match your level of experience\, grouping participants accordingly and offering personalized tips to help you gain confidence and improve your gameplay. \nCanasta is a great way to exercise your brain\, boost your memory\, and connect with others in a fun\, interactive setting. It’s stimulating\, competitive\, and\, most of all\, incredibly fun! \nSo grab a friend—or come ready to meet new ones—and join us for a class filled with laughter\, learning\, and a little friendly competition. Even if you’ve taken Canasta classes before\, there’s always more strategy to discover and new ways to improve your game. \nDebbie will group participants and provide personalized instruction for advanced players and players just learning the game. So\, even if you’ve taken sessions previously\, there is always more strategy to learn! \n \nDebbie Meyer loves canasta and has been playing for over 10 years!  Canasta is a stimulating card game played with partners. Strategy\, luck and excitement are all a part of playing canasta. Come see why Debbie is so passionate about it and plays often. 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/canasta-2/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Games
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cards.jpg
GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gorton Center 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest IL 60045;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=400 East Illinois Road:geo:-87.8374004,42.2506703
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250816T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250816T120000
DTSTAMP:20260404T043930
CREATED:20250718T193449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250718T193449Z
UID:20006494-1755342000-1755345600@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Tai Chi
DESCRIPTION:Tai Chi is an inclusive form of exercise that anyone can do\, whether you are in peak shape\, or have limited mobility. Despite its slow pace\, it is a valuable exercise for all ages\, read about the health benefits below. Dress comfortably and be prepared to have fun in Ken’s class. \nHealth Benefits \nTai Chi has numerous health benefits. It is good for balance\, flexibility\, and stress – regular Tai Chi practice can improve overall physical health and well-being. In fact\, Harvard Health suggests Tai Chi might be “…the perfect activity for the rest of your life.” \nAs a form of exercise\, researchers in Toronto found it is equivalent to brisk walking. So\, instead of worrying about your steps (how boring)\, join Ken’s class and have some more fun while you exercise. \nUnlike other forms of exercise\, Tai Chi movements are performed with relaxed muscles and a focus on deep breathing. Slow and gentle\, Tai Chi can improve blood flow\, balance\, and relaxation. Each Tai Chi pose flows into the next with circular\, continuous movements. This helps improve your balance and flexibility without putting strain on muscles and joints. \nTai Chi is also a very social activity\, commonly practiced in groups that rhythmically synchronize slow movements with deep breathing. Like meditation\, Tai Chi creates a calm and focused mind and can create a state of mindfulness. \nTai Chi also benefits emotional well-being and mental health. Regular Tai Chi practice can improve concentration\, physical self-awareness\, and create a sense of inner peace. Tai chi is a great exercise for relieving stress and has been shown to benefit hypertension and high blood pressure. \nWhat is Tai Chi? \nIt is a Chinese traditional exercise that blends martial arts’ movement with meditation. Dating back a thousand years\, Tai Chi remains a popular activity in China and around the world. \nTai Chi is a series of slow\, choreographed martial arts movements and poses. Tai Chi poses are circular and continuous\, with an emphasis on smooth transitions and maintaining a centered and grounded posture. Tai Chi poses mimic the movements of animals or nature\, such as flowing water or a bird in flight.  \nKen has been practicing martial arts for 27 years\, and started Tai Chi training in 1996 with Sifu Dale Washington\, Sifu Ban Toy in 2000 and Grand Master Yang Jun in 2006. He has been practicing Tai Chi for 21 years and teaching Tai Chi for 12 years. In 2016\, he received a Gold Eagle certificate from Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association. certificate. Ken is also one of Grand Master Yang Jun’s Disciples for the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan. He teaches Kickboxing and Full-contact Martial Arts teacher and is certified by Ng Family Martial Arts Association.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/tai-chi-august-16/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Wellness
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gortoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TaiChi-KenNing-Crop.jpg
GEO:42.2506703;-87.8374004
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gorton Center 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest IL 60045;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=400 East Illinois Road:geo:-87.8374004,42.2506703
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR