Special Interests   

Ready to begin your cannabis journey—whether medically or recreationally? This interactive workshop demystifies the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid & terpene benefits, and dosing strategies to avoid unwanted effects. You’ll gain clarity on consumption, storage, transport rules in Illinois, and the medical cannabis program for qualifying patients. Walk away feeling confident in your next dispensary visit.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids, and terpenes
• Learn dosage methods across different product formats
• Master responsibilities related to legal use, storage, and transport
• Explore medical cannabis eligibility, application, and usage

Growing your own cannabis is legal in Illinois for registered medical cannabis patients—and this class shows you how to do it the right way. We’ll introduce the basic principles of home cultivation, including lighting, nutrients, grow cycles, and what kind of equipment you need to get started. You’ll also learn about common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

You’ll Learn:

• Equipment basics: lights, soil, nutrients, and airflow

• Plant lifecycle: seed to harvest explained

• Indoor grow room setup tips

• Legal limitations and patient-only rules

Ideal for curious medical cannabis patients or hobbyists interested in home growing.

Get ready for a hands-on outdoor adventure through woodlands, boardwalks, and riverbanks! This Nature Explorations event begins at Cooper Park South, where we’ll explore a sandy beach and wade into the river in search of mussels, fish, and macroinvertebrates. As we identify the organisms we find, we’ll also learn about water quality and how these small creatures help tell the story of a healthy ecosystem.

Ideal for curious minds ages 10 and up, this family-friendly event also welcomes younger children (ages 7–9) when accompanied by an adult. Exploring nature together not only strengthens family bonds but also supports physical and mental health, sparks curiosity, and builds a deeper appreciation for the environment.

Whether you’re watching insects flutter by, hearing the call of a bird in the trees, or gently uncovering aquatic life in the shallows, this is a morning full of discovery and connection to the natural world.

Where to Go: Cooper Park South - Park behind Jonah’s Seafood, near the playground off Route 116.

What to Bring:

• Closed-toe shoes required (no sandals, flip-flops, or Crocs)
• Old clothes and shoes that can get wet or muddy
• Water shoes or rain boots for wading (optional but encouraged)
• Hat, sunscreen, and bug spray
• A rain jacket if there’s light rain in the forecast
• A water bottle and a snack

Note: field equipment (nets, buckets, etc.) will be provided.

Please fill out and turn in our Risk and Release form prior to the start of our exploration. The form can be turned in digitally to cce.information@icc.edu or in person in Hickory Hall.

In the event that we have to postpone due to weather, the rain date will be May 16.

Join us for a refreshing morning outdoors—where the river meets the forest, and every step is a chance to learn something new!

If you're considering medical cannabis as part of your wellness or treatment plan, this session will walk you through how to get started in Illinois’s Medical Cannabis Patient Program. You’ll learn how to qualify, apply, and use cannabis responsibly within legal guidelines. We’ll also cover how to navigate discussions with your healthcare provider, what protections you have under the law, and what to expect at your first dispensary visit.

You’ll Learn:

• Which medical conditions qualify for cannabis use

• How to apply for a patient card (or caregiver card)

• Legal protections—and limitations—for patients

• Cannabis use in housing, employment, and transportation

• Tips for starting a safe and effective regimen

Ideal for:

• Patients with chronic conditions like pain, anxiety, or PTSD

• Caregivers supporting a qualifying individual

• Healthcare professionals who want to guide patients with confidence

• Anyone wanting to legally and safely integrate cannabis into their care

Have you been feeling a bit sluggish lately? Is it hard to turn off your mind? Are you feeling more stressed and overwhelmed these days? If you answered "yes" to even one of these questions, then we encourage you to join this masterclass. You will learn one surprising reason we experience stress and overwhelming feelings and how they affect your overall health - physically, mentally, and emotionally. Once you realize its impact on you, it can change everything, because you will know how to take steps to reduce and manage the stress in your life.

We will share 3 strategic ways to take you out of feeling overwhelmed and stressed to experiencing more energy, balanced moods, and feeling more focused, calm, and present. Stress management is key to living a healthy life, so take this time to invest in you and your health because you are worth it!