Dordt Discovery Days

Baked from Scratch – Olivia Vander Haag, Dordt Alumna

If you have a love to bake, or a desire to learn new recipes, this is the class for you! Bakers will learn cupcake frosting design, delicious picnic basket treats, cookie jar staples, Christmas goodies and other sumptuous treats. You’ll be able to take home your treats to share with friends and family. *Please note: some recipes will include nuts and peanuts

Beekeeping – Phil Westra & Ron Rynders

Pollinators are an important part of God's creation. You may have some experience taking care of a pet or livestock, but how can we help bees? This class connects the biology of honeybees to the hands-on practice of beekeeping. Some enroll with curiosity about insects while others come to face their fears. Students will learn about the most studied insect in the world, open up beehives, read the combs, harvest honey, and bring home products from the hive. Protective gear is provided. We do need to know if any students have bee allergies.

Cooking with Karinda – Karinda De Boom, Western Christian teacher

Even if you've never advanced beyond making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or licking the spoon, this class will show you how to rustle up some grub sure to impress your friends and your mom. Learn how to make healthy snacks, main course dishes, even drinks and desserts. A trip to the grocery store will make ingredient shopping less of a mystery, and if it all pans out, you'll take home a DDD cookbook! Both guys and girls are welcome to learn basic cooking skills that will put you somewhere between Chef Boyardee and Rachel Ray.

Discover the Organ – Dr. Carrie Groenewold, Dordt Music Department

Curious about the “King of Instruments?” Discover the thrill of playing Dordt’s mighty Casavant organ with private and group lessons, field trips, and other hands-on activities.

Pre-requisite: 4 years of piano lessons are recommended. Submit a note of recommendation from your parent or piano teacher emailed to Dr. Carrie Groenewold, carrie.groenewold@dordt.edu from the Dordt University Music Department.

Down on the Farm – Mike Schouten, Dordt Agriculture Department

Feed the calves! Vaccinate the steers! There are farm chores to do at Dordt's Agriculture Stewardship Center! Learn about caring for farm animals and about growing food for them in a real farm setting. Because farm safety is important, you'll learn firsthand how to properly use equipment like a skid loader. You might even get to harvest from the garden and process the food into tasty treats. (Think strawberry jam and homemade ice cream!) Don't pass up this chance to be a farm kid for a week! No repeaters, please.

Drawing 101 – Shauna Vander Kooi, Unity Christian teacher

Have you always wanted to learn how to draw different cartoon characters in unique styles? Do you have a passion for doodling or want to learn more about drawing? This class is for you! Let's have fun trying new materials and styles while creating unique masterpieces.

Future Healthcare Professionals – Lucy Zylstra, Dordt Biology:Public Health Major

Throughout this course, you will be introduced to a variety of health careers through the study of anatomy and physiology, hands-on laboratory activities, discussion, and service projects. Opportunities will be provided for self-assessment and health screenings. Activities include working with skeletons, dissecting organisms, looking at cells, tissues, and organs through a microscope, and using a variety of screening equipment in the physiology lab, all to come to a better appreciation of how marvelously we are put together!

Game Quest 1.0 – Ryan Zonnefeld, Dordt Education Department

Strategize. Agonize! Cooperate. Instigate! This board game extravaganza hones your game playing skills while having a ton of fun. You'll learn games like Acquire, Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, and Ticket to Ride where strategy is of vital importance. Social deduction plays a role in the Sheriff of Nottingham and Resistance while teamwork saves the day in Forbidden Island. Game Quest 1.0 is a great choice if you love to play and learn new games. You’ll even have some free-play time to choose from over 70 games to play.

Green Thumb – Ytsje Vandermeer, Dordt Alumna

If you love all things plants, this class is for you! From houseplants to landscaping, to flowers, gardening, and farming, this class has something for everyone. We’ll explore all of the ways that you can participate in horticulture.

Health & Wellness – Candance Brands, Dordt Business Department

God created our bodies beautifully and wonderfully; it is important for us to care for them! We will spend the week learning about our body and why it matters as Christians to consider our health and wellness. We hope to create lasting patterns of wellness and self-care in students in light of being our best to glorify the Lord. We will also have some time of yoga throughout the week so bring your mat if you have one!

How It’s Made – Jesse Veenstra, Dordt Business Department

Wait, a truckload of cow esophagus’ becomes medicine for grandpa? Seriously! Each day, you’ll tour a local Northwest Iowa business and learn how cool things are made. You might see how steel is cut with laser beams or water, the ice cream-making process, or how cow parts become arthritis medicine. If you’re curious about how things are made, this class is an excellent choice for you.

Improv Comedy – Lindsay Kuiper, Dordt Alumna

Learn how to take a crazy idea and run with it through improv games! Whether or not you think you're funny, improv comedy can teach you how to tell a good story, think on your feet, and help out your friends. And, you'll laugh until your sides hurt!

Intro to Art – Ryan Eckert, Dordt Art Department

Calling all future artists! Whether you’re the next “Picasso” or just starting out, this class is great for those who want to learn to draw. In this class, you learn to explore the basics of art and you’ll learn how to draw accurately from real-life scenes without using a photograph for reference.

Intro to Health and Human Performance - Andrew Geleynse, Sioux Center Health

This class will give you an introduction to Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Athletic Training. Join us as we work with therapists and trainers from Sioux Center Health as we explore these different healthcare professions.

Participants will spend some time in the classroom learning about these careers. We will also spend time at offsite locations including the local hospital, Dordt Athletic Training Room, and the new American State Bank Sports Complex as we do hands-on activities learning about all of the aspects of these professions.

Lights! Camera! Action! – Rich Lodewyk, Dordt Communications Department

Director’s chair or on camera? Which one is for you? This class begins with basic skills in television remote production using the new Dordt Media Network broadcast remote production truck. Besides directing, you can try your hand at design graphics and instant replay for short productions. There’s more. Try your hand at television and radio news, plus sports anchoring and reporting! The camera’s on you! You get to try it all with high-tech equipment! Three, two, one…you’re on!

Metal Casting - David Platter, Dordt Art Department

Join us for a hands-on introduction to metal casting, where we explore making molds from every-day materials and learn ways to carve, sculpt, and transform your creativity into metal sculpture. Learn ancient and modern approaches used by artists and industry alike! By the end of the week, you will have your own metal casting to take home.

Nursing – Mindi De Jager, Dordt Nursing Department

Give shots, take blood pressure, do CPR, or practice nursing skills on our patient SAM (simulated automotive man) and our other nursing mannequins. There’s no end to the discoveries you’ll make about your body and how to care for it. From first aid procedures to how to maintain a healthy diet, this class will give you an idea if you’re really interested in the medical profession. ATTENTION: If students are willing, we will test their blood sugar, which involves a finger stick with a sterile lancet using proper technique and protective gear. No repeaters, please.

Ooey Gooey Science – Sandra Nyenhuis, Unity Christian teacher

This lab is for anyone who wants to get his or her hands into biology and chemistry! You'll do dissections and create slimes-and then there's the quicksand and culture bacteria experience. Microscopes, Petri dishes, scalpels, and beakers-we'll do real science together. Ready to get messy?

Racquet Sports - Craig Stiemsma, Dordt Health and Human Performance Department

Do you want to learn the rules, strategies, different serves and many different shots in pickleball, badminton and racquetball? Do you want to learn the rules and strategies for singles and doubles in these very popular racquet sports? Learn all this and more about pickleball, one of the hottest new sports in the country, as well as racquetball and badminton, which is an Olympic sport. We will have many different competitions and tournaments during this week.

Robotics – Bryce Enger, Dordt Education Major

Have you ever wondered how a robot works? Have you ever wanted to program a robot to complete fun challenges? If so, this class is for you! We will learn to program different types of robots and complete fun challenges against our peers along the way. Whether this is your first or 500th time working with a robot, this class is for you!

Survivor Siouxnami - Hayley Vander Waal, Dordt Alumna

Water relay races, group competitions, lifeguarding skills, and more! This class will be full of fun using the outdoor Siouxnami water park, which includes the climbing wall, water slides, lazy river, and other pool features while enhancing your swimming skills. You will "survive" several fun races, activities, and challenges, and you will also learn some valuable lifeguarding skills! Bring your swimming suit, goggles, and a towel, and expect a lot of adventure, learning some new skills, and crazy competitions. No repeaters, please.

Theatre Make-up Studio – Becky Donahue, Dordt Theatre Department

Do you want to look like an old man or like you’ve been on the wrong end of a back street brawl? Want to make your friend look like a vampire? Or a wild beast? This class will supply you with your own basic theater make-up kit so you can learn how to transform faces. You’ll experiment with crepe hair, spirit gum, and learn what to do with a stipple sponge. You’ll get to morph your facial features using an verity of makeup tools. But watch out; you could end up with a black eye yourself!

Track and Field – Craig Heynen, Dordt Track Coach

Improve your running, throwing, and jumping skills or learn them for the first time! Each day will include warm-ups, instruction in techniques, field practice, and of course, plenty of races, relays, and other friendly competitions. The week culminates in a mock track meet on Friday where you’ll get the chance to beat your best times!

Worship Band 101 – Jeremy Perigo, Dordt Worship Arts Department

We’re looking for drummers, bassists, guitarists, pianists, vocalists, and even an aux. instrument or two (such as flute, violin, and sax) You will learn ensemble principles, how to lead worship effectively by execution of songs, and creating your own orders of worship. By the end of the week, you will be able to lead praise and worship for all DDD students. Prerequisite: you must be able to read music and chord charts and have more than beginning experience with your instrument. Note: We will contact you regarding what position (vocalist, guitarist, etc.) you will fill on the team, so final email confirmation for this class will come later than the other courses. There will not be tryouts, but first come, first served, (example: we’ll take the first two drummers who register, etc.)

A “Choired” Taste – Nicki Kuiper, Dordt Education Department

Music and dance lovers, this class is for you! From acapella singing, to show choir choreography, we will harmonize and collaborate to perform popular and praise songs. We will learn how better to use our voices and how to listen and blend within a choir. And then, we’ll rest our voices with musical games, like “Name that Tune.” Wear comfy clothes and shoes, and bring your water bottles to keep your vocal cords hydrated.

Baked from Scratch – Olivia Vander Haag, Dordt Alumna

If you have a love to bake, or a desire to learn new recipes, this is the class for you! Bakers will learn cupcake frosting design, delicious picnic basket treats, cookie jar staples, Christmas goodies and other sumptuous treats. You’ll be able to take home your treats to share with friends and family. *Please note: some recipes will include nuts and peanuts

Beekeeping – Phil Westra & Ron Rynders

WHAT ABOUT STINGS?! This is always the first objection when studying bees, but this class will help students overcome their fears—separating facts from myths. Honeybees are one part of God’s creation that we depend on for the very food we eat. We will bring our new confidence into the bee yard and learn new things about our bee friends. We will learn how to make things from wax—like lip balm, lotion, and candles—and we’ll cook with honey! Protective gear is provided, but pack along long pants. If you are truly allergic to stings, you MUST carry your own epi-pen. It’ll be a sweet class!

Bookworms – Jen Wielenga, Orange City Christian teacher

This class starts with homework you’re going to love. Read a book! We’ll choose a couple of books and have you come prepped to do book club discussions each day. What surprised you most about this story? What would you add if you could write one more chapter? We’ll talk about all kinds of genre’s, award winning books, classics, and your favorite authors. We’ll even have a published author come and talk about what it takes to write a book. We’ll sprinkle in some library visits and of course, have you read a book while you’re on campus. It’s the best of reading worlds. Bookworms rule!

Cooking with Karinda – Karinda De Boom, Western Christian teacher

Even if you've never advanced beyond making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or licking the spoon, this class will show you how to rustle up some grub sure to impress your friends and your mom. Learn how to make healthy snacks, main course dishes, even drinks and desserts. A trip to the grocery store will make ingredient shopping less of a mystery, and if it all pans out, you'll take home a DDD cookbook! Both guys and girls are welcome to learn basic cooking skills that will put you somewhere between Chef Boyardee and Rachel Ray.

CSI Sioux Center – Kylie De Boer & Sydney Vander Pol

Interested in being a Crime Scene Investigator and wanting to learn how to catch “The Bad Guys”? Here’s your chance! You’ll learn a variety of police skills, including how to evaluate crime scenes and gather evidence, how to utilize a K-9, how to do sobriety tests, and other defensive tactics.

Dance! Dance! Dance! – Mel Knobloch, Dordt Cheer & Dance Coach

So you think you can dance? Chances are we’ve got some new moves to show you. Whether its hip-hop, jazz, swing, or country line dance, you’ll be groovin’ to the tunes in no time. We’ll also change the mood and contrast modern dance steps with liturgical dance. After this class, you’ll know how to express yourself in lots of new ways. No dance experience is necessary.

Engineering – Tayler Hoekstra, Dordt Engineering Department

Engineering plays a huge role in getting us from here to there. We use bridges to cross over rivers, highways, and even railroad tracks, but have you ever thought about how to design them? Cars use energy to propel us forward over those bridges, but have you ever thought of using an energy source like wind to move them? You'll get to dig into basic bridge-engineering ideas, and then you'll get to test these ideas by building your own bridges and using our laboratory equipment to push them to their limit. You’ll also get to put together test cars and experiment with using wind or gravity to propel them forward. See how engineering helps keep us in motion every day!

Game Quest 2.0 – Ryan Smit, Dordt Music Department

Strategize. Agonize! Cooperate. Instigate! Game Quest 2.0 is a great choice if you have experience playing board games or have completed Game Quest 1.0 and want to play some more advanced games. Test your social deduction in games like Resistance and Cockroach Poker. Expand your strategy into games like The Shipwreck Arcana where cooperation is key. Take a deeper dive into Settlers of Catan with multiple expansions. Travel to Egypt to test your probability skills in the crowd-pleasing Camel Up races. Dig into other games like Arboretum, Kingdomino, and Welcome To…while also having some free-play time to choose from over 70 games to play.

Improv Comedy – Lindsay Kuiper, Dordt Alumna

Learn how to take a crazy idea and run with it through improv games! Whether or not you think you're funny, improv comedy can teach you how to tell a good story, think on your feet, and help out your friends. And, you'll laugh until your sides hurt!

Intro to City Leadership – Katie Crumrine, Sioux Center Community School teacher

Calling all future City Council members, politicians, and government officials! This class is for you! Learn all about the local government and public administration by touring different departments within the City of Sioux Center. You’ll be able to meet the mayor, visit the fire and police stations, and even tour the new ASB Sports Complex (the dome!)

Intro to Journalism – Mikaela Wegner, Dordt Alumna

Step into the world of modern American journalism, practicing writing leads and learning how God has used journalists throughout history. This class will introduce students to the world of American journalism, from 1940's typewriters to 2023's Instagram news stories. Practice the staples of written journalism by being exposed to articles from across the U.S.

Lego Robotics – Bryce Enger, Dordt Education Major

Calling all Master Builders! So, girls and guys, you’re ready to move past building Emmet-style double-decker couches, and take your Lego skills to the next level? Or maybe you’ve always been fascinated by robotics, and would like to try your hand at building and programming one for yourself? Sounds like you’re ready to create functional robots, using Lego Mindstorms kits! We will build several different robots throughout the week, as we team up to conquer design challenges and hone our programming skills. By the end of the week, we’re pretty sure you’ll be singing along: “Everything is Awesome!”

Lights! Camera! Action! – Ellie Runia, Dordt Digital Media Major

Director’s chair or on camera? Which one is for you? This class begins with basic skills in television remote production using the new Dordt Media Network broadcast remote production truck. Besides directing, you can try your hand at design graphics and instant replay for short productions. There’s more. Try your hand at television and radio news, plus sports anchoring and reporting! The camera’s on you! You get to try it all with high tech equipment! Three, two, one…you’re on!

Metal Casting – David Platter, Dordt Art Department

Join us for a hands-on introduction to metal casting, where we explore making molds from every-day materials and learn ways to carve, sculpt, and transform your creativity into metal sculpture. Learn ancient and modern approaches used by artists and industry alike! By the end of the week you will have your own metal casting to take home.

The Money Game – Sandy Vanden Bosch, Dordt Business Department

Ready to play a game where you learn how paychecks work, how to invest in yourself first, how to create financial freedom, what are needs vs. wants, how money works, and what does it mean to save vs. spend vs. share? We will explore all these concepts, with you being the moving game piece in this highly interactive game. Activities in addition to the money game will include learning how to write checks, going on a shopping trip for Operation Christmas Child, investing in different types of assets, and designing a store for a business you would want to run.

Movie Date – Dave Mulder, Dordt Education Department

Lights…camera…ACTION! Get in the director’s seat as you learn more about your favorite moves. We’ll watch a wide variety of clips from movies from all across the ages. We’ll explore how level of violence has changed in the past decades, how to recognize a film’s message or theme, and how special effects promote the plot. We’ll even check out the history of movies and what movies were like in the “old days.” Of course, we’re having snacks and popcorn the whole time! As a group, we’ll become film critics, learning how to view films through our Biblical glasses and figure out what movies are “good” and why. You’ll definitely give this class two thumbs up!

Ooey Gooey Science – Sandra Nyenhuis

This lab is for anyone who wants to get his or her hands into biology and chemistry! You'll do dissections and create slimes-and then there's the quicksand and culture bacteria experience. Microscopes, Petri dishes, scalpels, and beakers-we'll do real science together. Ready to get messy?

Photography 101 – Becky Vanden Brink

Photography helps us express ourselves in a way that words sometimes can’t. Join me for a week of learning how to use a DSLR camera while exploring more about who God made you to be through the gift of photography. In this class you will learn about the different modes and settings of a camera and how to use them to get exactly the shot that you want. We will also learn about composition and how to apply it to get great photos. This class is project-based so get ready to grab a camera and go explore! *Please bring a DSLR camera if you have one.

Silkscreen Posters & T-shirts – Vaughn Donahue, Dordt Art Department

Do you want to make your own t-shirt or poster? How cool would it be to wear a shirt that YOU designed? Come spend a week screen printing in the Dordt Art and Design Department! We’ll turn a sketch or digital design into real ink on real paper, and we’ll get plenty messy along the way. We’ll play with colors, fabrics, and maybe even some glow-in-the-dark ink!

Social Work & Service – Erin Olson, Dordt Social Work Department

In the Bible God calls us to love and care for our neighbor, but who is our neighbor? And how do we love and care for him/her? In this class, you’ll learn what it means to be a helper and how by helping others you can actually help yourself and work to strengthen God’s kingdom here on earth. You’ll learn how to become a better and more effective listener (and talker!) for your friends and family. You’ll also learn how changing your own self-talk can help your own outlook on life. As another part of the class, we will learn about how we can help our community members in need by joining the work of local non-profit organizations. We’ll visit a thrift store, a food pantry, a shelter, and other organizations to learn about what they’re doing to help those in need and then we’ll volunteer some of our time to help those organizations continue to do their good work!

String Studio – Gary Vander Hart

Build and learn to play a stringed instrument worth $300! You read correctly; a $300 instrument will be yours to take home! In five days, you’ll build a four-stringed, Appalachian mountain dulcimer. Lying on the lap, they are easier to play than the guitar and are the perfect first instrument for novice musicians. You will carve decorations, install frets, French polish, plus learn how to play and tune. No previous lessons required. A DVD on how to do the work will be mailed to you a few weeks before the session.

Survivor – Sarah Davelaar, Sioux County Conservation

Spend each afternoon learning survival skills and having lots of outdoor fun! You’ll learn the basics survivor skills: how to build shelters, make a campfire, find wild edible food, build traps, and learn how to use a compass and GPS unit and more! And at the end of the week, we will have a survival challenge to test all your skills!

*Please bring jeans and old clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Closed toed shoes are also recommended. We will be outside as much as possible. No repeaters, please.