Become certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, and First Aid- valid 2 years. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. Age Prerequisite: Be at least 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the course. Skill Prerequisites: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest: Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed) Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds: Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed). Submerge to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps. Become certified in American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor- valid 2 years. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. This is a blended learning class with online course work required before the first day of class. Age Prerequisite: Must be at least 15 years old by the last day of class. Skill Prerequisites: Demonstration of swimming skills equivalent to Red Cross Level 4 swim lesson requirements Swim the following strokes consistent with Level 4: Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Breaststroke, Elementary Backstroke & Sidestroke- 25 yards; Butterfly- 15 yards Back float for 1 minute (floating or sculling) Tread water for 1 minute Participants need to bring swim gear (no bikini suits), towels, pen, highlighter, water bottle, lunch and snacks each day. You will be in and out of the pool throughout each class so extra dry swim suits and towels are helpful. Course full? Please add your name to the waiting list! We will add another class if we have enough interest. Willmar Community Ed is currently hiring aquatic staff, applications are available HERE.

The Bounce Back Project is focused on promoting health and resiliency. Our book reads allow us to share laughter and perspectives with one another as we learn to better understand ourselves, allow ourselves grace, and develop the courage to be who we are. Our June discussion will feature The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Our August discussion will feature The Power of Bridging: How to Build a World Where We All Belong by John A. Powell. Books in various formats may be requested through the Pioneerland Public Library System online at https://www.pioneerland.lib.mn.us/ or by visiting your local library. Learn more about the Bounce Back Project™ and connect with the Willmar group HERE.

Step into the arena with Build & Battle Robotics (LEGO Edition), where creativity meets competition! Working in small teams, students will use LEGO robotics kits to design and build their own battling machines—whether it’s a powerful pusher, a clever wedge, or a spinning striker. Along the way, they’ll learn the engineering behind gearing, traction, and armor as they tweak and improve their designs. The camp culminates in fast-paced, ring-style matches that bring excitement and strategy to life. Packed with action and hands-on learning, this camp is the perfect way for kids to dive into robotics while having a blast in friendly, high-energy competitions!

Registration is not full, it must be done in person at Jefferson Learning Center. Do not add yourself to the online waiting list, you must come to the Willmar Community Education office! About Driver's Education To register for Behind The Wheel (BTW) with Willmar Community Education, students must have successfully completed 30 hours of Driver’s Education Classroom training and provide the following information: legal name, date of birth, email address (not school or family member's account), and phone number. The Certificate of Completion from the classroom course must be provided at the Community Education office along with a $300 fee in order to register and receive an e-card. An e-card is required for students to take the permit test at the Driver’s License Exam Station. Upon passing the permit test, please call 320-231-8492, ext. 6335 to notify staff. BTW registration fee is non-refundable. BTW driving lessons must be completed within six months of receiving your blue/e-card. Starting and ending location for driving lessons is at Jefferson Learning Center. Missed or cancelled driving lesson will incur a $50 fee and require rescheduling that driving lesson. Unused BTW driving lessons are non-transferable. We offer a driver training program approved by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Our instructor is a licensed school teacher with special certification in driver education from the state of Minnesota. How To Get Your Driver License (ages 15-17) Classroom Instruction: Students are eligible to register and attend the classroom portion of the training program. You must attend all 30 hours of the training to be eligible for the next step of training. The Blue/E-Card: After completing 30 hours of classroom training, you will receive a certificate of completion that you must provide when registering for Behind the Wheel (BTW) instruction. You must be registered for a BTW program in order to receive the e-card. Get Your Driving Permit: Arrange for the permit test independently at a Minnesota Drivers and Vehicle Services location. You will need the blue/e-card, appropriate ID, your social security number, corrective lenses (if needed), and payment for the permit test fee. Complete BTW Instruction: BTW consists of one instructor and one or two students in a school district vehicle. After completion of the required six hours, you will receive a white/e-card necessary for the license test. Practice: You will need to practice driving for six months. Minnesota law requires a student to have a permit for six months and maintain a driving log. The driving log must be submitted at the time of the road test. Road Test: Schedule the road test at a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services location. Students must be 16 years old to take the road test. Bring your white/e-card, proof of insurance, fee, permit, social security number, and corrective lenses (if needed).

This course is not full! Registration is open and must be completed with A+ Driving School per the instructions below. Do not add yourself to the online waiting list. Visit MNDE.CruiseControlEducation.com to sign up Register as a new student, be sure to write down your email address and password Enter the requested information along with Coupon Code: willmar2025 Pay the $100 payment to complete your sign up Begin Online Course A+ Driving School offers an online class platform through Willmar Community Education for Minnesota students. Benefits are: Start classes anytime and take at your own pace Classes are available on-demand Free Study Guide to all students “Hands On” activities to reinforce information and get parents involved 24/7 Instructor Support Approved by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. This is a virtual class. Participants must have audio and visual technology capabilities such as a laptop, tablet, or a smartphone. No refunds are available for this course.

With the basic first aid you learn in this course, you could make a difference in the lives of others! This First Aid course uses Chain of Survival to teach the basics of first aid, including injury prevention and when to get help. Upon successful course completion, participants will receive First Aid certification through the American Heart Association.

Enjoy a guided tour of over 2 acres of flower gardens and then create a beautiful fresh flower arrangement to take home. Please dress appropriately for an outdoor experience and wear shoes comfortable for walking in the gardens. All ages are welcome to join us! Fee includes a guided tour and take-home flower arrangement.

Get ready for a sweet blend of science and fun! In Ice Cream Science, youth will explore the cool chemistry behind one of their favorite treats. Through hands-on experiments, they’ll learn how ingredients transform into ice cream, discover the role of temperature and salt in freezing, and see science in action as they stir and mix their way to delicious results. After making their own batch, participants will enjoy tasting their creations —and the best part? They’ll take home their homemade ice cream to share with family and friends.

Set sail on a hands-on engineering adventure in RC Boats & ROV Basics! Students will dive into the science of buoyancy, hull design, and waterproofing as they work in teams to test and modify remote-control boats. Along the way, they’ll experiment with stability, thrust, and maneuverability before putting their creations to the test in timed trials and obstacle challenges. If a pool or pond is available, the final day shifts outdoors for exciting capstone runs; otherwise, indoor test bins keep the action flowing. With plenty of teamwork, problem-solving, and splashy fun, this camp makes STEM unforgettable.