Bonjour! Spend five days exploring the language, food, and culture of France! We’ll learn basic French, discover French history, and enjoy field trips and fun—like visiting the Des Moines Art Center, making crêpes, creating bandes dessinées, and savoring baguettes, café, and fromage. Come experience France—no passport required!

$30

Kendy DeHaan

This course is designed specifically for the tennis enthusiast. Students will be immersed into the world of tennis. Topics include racket customization, tennis string types, racquet stringing, replacing tennis grips, racquet spec/game-style pairing, analyzing play styles of top ATP and WTA players, and general tennis play. This course will be taught via discussion of topics, video analysis, hands-on activities, drill work, games, and live match-play. Class location will be split between the classroom and the gym.

$30

Aaron Fitzgerald

This class is practicing worshiping the Lord through our whole being, body, mind and soul. We will move our body (yoga/stretching) , express our mind (creativity) and nourish our soul (“soul food”and gratitude). We will reflect on passages that bring light to how we can worship body, mind and soul.

Throughout the class we will lay out a regular daily rhythm

• starting with a verse to reflect on and devotional

• 10 min. yoga session

• 40 min. Crafting

• 10 min. Snack and time for gratitude

• 30 min crafting

• 10 min. Yoga

• Rest of time crafting and cleaning up.

• And a prayer to close

Each of the first 3 days we will work with a different media, we will make mini polymer clay creations (we can make magnets, buttons, keychains, you name it) (pop-tart example below), learn how to use watercolor (I will demo flowers, and mountains), and experiment with pastels on colored paper, the fourth day we will make gratitude cards. The rest of the fourth day as well as the last day we will continue to create, using your choice of any of the media we have worked with.

No Fee

Leah Hoffner

If you are considering a career in science, engineering, or a health field your college-level coursework will require many science classes. This is because science forms the basis from which all of these careers build. To learn how science operates in His universe, people have made discoveries that push the boundaries of human knowledge. These scientific discoveries have provided our society with boons from life-saving medications to high-resolution videos viewable on your cell phone. In this Winterim course we will learn a little bit of science and how to prepare for a potential next career step, then we will enter a chemistry laboratory at Central College to create a new set of molecules that have never been made before!

No Fee

Jay Wackerly

Students will explore the vibrant culture of Mexico, learning about its traditions, colors, and meanings; and they will reflect on how diverse cultural expressions honor God and build community. This is a hands-on course in which we will create papel picado, piñatas, cook kibis, watch a movie and play traditional games. Be ready to explore Mexican culture with a lot of curiosity and a willingness to try new things.

$10

Lorenzo Escalante

Students will work with volunteers to further the mission of Legacy Thrift Store.   This will include a variety of tasks including sorting and transporting items.   Real Work for a Real Purpose

No Fee

Pam Vander Linden

Imagine diving into your favorite book while surrounded by the inviting ambiance of a coffee shop or the quiet charm of a library. In this Winterim course, students will embark on a cozy journey through the world of books and the communal spaces that foster connection—cafés, libraries, and bookstores. We will explore literature in third places, engaging in discussions, writing, and reflection, all while sipping coffee and enjoying warm atmospheres that encourage creativity and thought. Through this course, students will develop a deeper appreciation for the role of community spaces in learning and storytelling.

Goals/Objectives:

-Cultivate a love for reading and literature in unique, real-world settings.

-Understand the concept of third places and their role in fostering community and discussion.

-Develop critical thinking, creative writing, and reflective reading skills.

-Connect with younger readers through reading aloud and service opportunities.

Students will engage in a variety of activities such as visiting places in town (library, coffee shops, bookstore, PCGS), discussing books, reading to children, pairing food with books, writing to authors, etc.

Small Budget for Coffee

Bekah Gorkow

• Crocheting is a great way to relax, to bless others, and to build community. In this course we will be doing all three of those things. Crocheters of all abilities are welcome to join the class. We will start by learning the stitches needed to crochet edgings around fleece to make beautiful lap blankets. We will give these lap blankets to residents of care facilities on the last day of class. When each student completes their lap blanket they will spend the rest of the class crocheting a bookmark similar to the ones shown. We hope to have volunteers come in to share their expertise with beginning crocheters and to show their treasured crocheted items or what they are currently crocheting during our daily coffee time break. At the conclusion of the class the students will take with them their bookmark and a life-long skill.

No Fee

Sandy Van Veldhuizen

• Develop your culinary skills by learning to create tasty treats and learning the art of hospitality. You’ll experience life and faith as you embark on this mouthwatering journey. Enjoy delectable dishes that will delight your senses. We will spend one morning at The Cheesemakers Inn, a local bed and breakfast, to learn hospitality and culinary skills. Another day we'll explore Dutch cuisine. Culinary Creations will take you on a voyage through the vibrant world of flavors from appetizers, everyday comfort foods, delectable desserts, classic family dinners, and feasts for special occasions. We’ll explore the art of cooking while creating delicious memories! Tie on your apron and head to the kitchen to savor some tasty treats that God has in store for you!

$30

Dr Pam Vande Voort

High School is the perfect time for career exploration! Try Fashion and Design on for size!

During this winterim week we will explore the fundamental components of the Fashion and Design industry to see if may be a fit for you. We will also relate how Fashion and Design components are fundamental in creating Dutch costumes. Dutch costumes are an integral part of the Tulip Time festival and every year costumes are made, altered, and repaired. How many will take on the challenge of acquiring knowledge and skills in creating and maintaining authentic Dutch costumes to preserve and promote the Dutch Heritage of Pella, Iowa? Will you be included??? Let’s find out!

During the week, you will create a hard copy portfolio. If you are from a family with Dutch ancestry, you may wish to determine the province or village in the Netherlands you are affiliated with so you can research those Dutch costumes if you choose. 

No Fee

Gelene Evans

Furniture and Decor Refinishing / Repurposing

Description: This is a Hands-on class where students will be refinishing and or repurposing a provided furniture/decor piece with the option to purchase when finished.

Skills acquired through this class:

- Learn how to assess a furniture piece and develop a vision for their piece.

-Basic repair techniques for legs, drawers, latches, drawer pulls, delamination, water damage.

-Select proper materials for surface preparation.

-Paint stripping, sanding, distressing, cleaning for new finish.

-Decorative paper applications

-Painting / staining techniques

-How to distress finished furniture

Proper sealing / waxing a finished piece

$40

Jodi Gritters/Tiny Barn

Have you ever asked yourself "Why didn't I think of that?" This class is for students who are curious about the process of making something novel, new and useful, and who enjoy activities that stimulate innovative thinking. A field trip to the Vermeer museum and one of the manufacturing plants will give students a first hand look at how something goes from a simple idea to a worldwide business that employs thousands of people. Students will get hands on experience developing their own Rube Goldberg project to explore the trial and error process necessary to develop a product along with other fun projects and activities.

$10

Brad Engbers

Dive into the amazing journey of blood and the heart! Explore how blood flows, types of blood, heart structure, and life-saving tests—all while reflecting on the wonder of life and the heart of God through interactive devotionals and journaling. Topics include: Blood Composition, Blood Typing, Blood Tests:--Coagulation, Hemoglobin, Metabolic, and Waste, Potential Tour of LifeServe Blood Center of Des Moines and Heart Dissection-- structure and function.

No Fee

Audra Faber

We will help you understand how we use technology in sound and lighting to enhance the performances on stage at PCHS. We will learn the basics of microphone use, audio requirements and understanding for audience enjoyment. We will also try to understand the basics of lighting console operation while we are "Painting with Light" to direct audience attention, distract the audience, or set a "Mood" for a scene. We will discuss some of the underlying science and art that makes theater technology an expected tool for performances as well as enhancing worship experiences in church.

No Fee

Daryl Van Zee

Join Triumph Martial Arts for an empowering Think SAFE Self-Defense Workshop as part of the Pella Christian High School Winterim program! This comprehensive workshop covers defense techniques against grabs and chokes, both in standing and ground positions, and offers valuable insights into self-defense strategies, situational awareness, and personal safety. Our expert instructors will help you gain confidence, recognize potential threats, and develop practical self-defense skills. Whether you're a beginner or have some prior experience, this class is suitable for all levels, providing a safe and supportive environment for hands-on practice. Invest in your safety and empowerment by enrolling today and be prepared to TRIUMPH over adversity!

No Fee

Triumph Martial Arts

We will look to gain a greater understanding of what it means to be God's chosen people through watching season 1 of the mini series The Chosen. We will watch, have discussions and do some activities related to what it means to walk with Jesus in today's world compared to 1st century Palestine.

No Fee

Scott Roose

This class offers an intentional space for students to draw nearer to the heart of God. We will be exploring a variety of spiritual disciplines and taking time to put them into practice as we grow in relationship with Him.The week will be spent unpacking scripture, discovering different rhythms of prayer, seeking personal identity from Christ, and eventually getting to share His heart and their learnings with grade school students at the end of our time together 

No Fee

Gabi Dirksen