The Optimist Club of Des Plaines Presents:
Pumpkin Races
Free and open to all kids and their families. Receive a pumpkin and decorations - prepare your pumpkin and race down our pumpkin racing track - race against your siblings, family members or friends. Take your pumpkins home - treats for all the kids.
Oratorical Contest
The oratorical is a perennial favorite among Optimist clubs. Participants gain tremendous confidence in their presentation abilities as they learn the art of public speaking. Age is of no matter as long as you are less than 18 years of age by December 2023 in this event. In the past, we have seen talented 10-years olds defeat high school students.
The Des Plaines club was very pleased to participate once again, We will begin our practices in person at Prairie Lakes Community Center in Des Plaines starting the first Friday in January 2023, the new topic to prepare your speech is: "Discovering the Optimism within Me"
3In the recent past we have had many of our kids win at the Regional level and the state level. It is open to any boy and girl under the age of 18 as of 12/31/23. The three winners will receive medallions and monetary prizes from our club, as well as the top two winners will advance to the regional competition, which is being held in March or April in Oswego, IL
This year our 2 first place winners at the Club level participated in an online Regional Contest in March. One of our members placed in the top 2 which awarded her the opportunity to participate in the Illinois District Contest in May. She took 3rd place at the state level and we are so proud of her accomplishments. This girl competed against high school seniors and she is only in middle school.
As it states above the winners of the Regional Contest will advance to the state final, where the champion will receive a $2,500.00 college scholarship and go on to the International contest in St. Louis, MO for a chance to win up to $20,000.00, 2nd place receives $1500.00 and 3rd place $1000.00.
Next training session will begin in January of 2023!
Ruth Del Re
Oratorical Chair
ruthdelre@sbcglobal.net
847-824-7050
Essay Contest
The Optimist Club of Des Plaines will once again accept essays for judging in the 2022 - 2023 International Essay Contest. The topic for this year, chosen by the International Board of Directors and the board of Junior Optimist Octagon International is: "Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings out the Optimism in You?"
An at large essay is one from any Illinois area where there is no Optimist club, or a local one that does not participate in the contest.
The essays, which must be between 700-800 words, are judged by a panel of three, and must be received by the Optimist Club of Des Plaines no later than February 1, 2023 with all the necessary paperwork.
The state (District) winner will receive $2500.00 and a plaque.
This contest is open to youth under the age of 19 as of December 31st. For complete rules, visit the Optimist International website.
Please mail completed essays to:
Optimist Club of Des Plaines
PO Box 1551
Des Plaines, IL 60017
If you have questions, you may phone Ruth at 847-824-7050
Poster Contest
The Optimist Club of Des Plaines once again took part in the Illinois District’s poster contest.
The 2023 theme is: TBD
This year we had the honor of voting on many posters from the students in Des Plaines and Rosemont Schools - The 1st place male and the 1st place female posters were submitted to the Illinois District for their Poster contest as well. Our young man took 2nd place at the state contest and the young female took 1st place at the state contest. We are just so proud of them. Please take a look at these great posters:
The contest is open to 4th, 5th & 6th grade students who live with-in the Des Plaines and surrounding area.
Posters must be submitted on 14" X 22" horizontal poster board, and the students name, age, grade and school must be on the back. Posters with the name on the front will not be accepted.
The following rules and tips will be helpful:
The theme must appear on the front of the poster, and it must be 14" X 22" horizontal
Keep writing to a minimum. Dark colored, blocked or printed letters are the best.
You can use markers, colored paper, tempera paint, or pictures from magazines-fill in as much of the poster as you can.
Fishing Derby
If your child loves fishing, or wants to give it a try, we will once again host our free kid’s fishing derby at Lake Park in Des Plaines on June 17, 2023 - this will be our 54th anniversary derby. From 9am to 2pm you can spend the day fishing, followed by a hot dog lunch and our kite fly.
Lake Park, located at Lee and Howard in Des Plaines, is stocked with bluegills, bass, crappies, and more. Registration usually begins at approximately 9:00 am, and the program includes raffles, prizes, and a free hot dog lunch.
This is one of our oldest and most popular programs, so bring a pole, (or we may have one you can borrow) and look for us on the Howard Avenue side of the park, and we’ll do the rest.
We’ll even bait hooks for the squeamish!
Kite Fly
June 17, 2023 is the day, and what a beautiful day it should be. Hopefully the wind will be very cooperative at Lake Park by the band shell.
Come out and join us, we supply the kites, and will even help you put it together if you need that. This free event is open to all children. Each participant receives a free kite and ticket to receive a free lunch. In the event of rain, we will post an alternative rain date. 
Movies In The Park
The Des Plaines Optimist Club will once again be showing FREE Movies in the Park starting in June 2023 - please stay tuned for updates to this event.
Popcorn & drinks are available for purchase
All at the Lake Park Memorial Pavilion starting at 7:00pm, Movies begin as soon as it's dark enough to see.
Weather updates will be on the Park District website: DPParks.org
In case of rain, the movie will be rescheduled for the following Friday evening.
Join us for all of the fun movies:
Christmas Tree Lot
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our tree lot last year. We will be open starting the day after Thanksgiving and will remain open until the trees sell out. We have so many new projects in the works for the kids next year, and your help and donations will really help out. Thank you for coming out to support the kids! We look forward to seeing you in November of 2022! 
