Winterim 2026

For over 30 years, Wheaton Academy has proudly offered the Winterim program to our students. This Wheaton Academy distinctive opens the door for our young people to explore their passions, learn practical skills, and ultimately, discover more about themselves and who God has created them to be.

The Winterim 2026 recap video was created by student intern Evelyn Wieringa ’29.

Classes

Internships

Trips

Discovering New Passions in Classes, Gaining Professional Experience in Internships, and Celebrating Culture and Creation on Trips

“During Winterim, you have the opportunity to gain more experience in things that are outside the everyday classes during school. Gaining experience in different fields, going on unique trips, and learning awesome things are all very beneficial for later-in-life decisions.”
– Jacob Erickson (’27)

Intro to Voiceover Class

Students worked with guest instructor Simon Guevera to learn about the power of voice and how they can use their voices to have a positive impact on the world and advance the kingdom. They made radio commercials, book narrations, and a dramatic reading of the book of Esther.

Elk Grove Police Department Internship

Madeleine Zeager (’27) has a passion for law and justice. In her internship last year at the State’s Attorney’s Office, she reviewed evidence for cases. This year, she wanted to see what it’s like on the other side of the body cam, so she interned with the Elk Grove Village Police Department, getting an inside look into all different units, including Traffic, K-9, Felony, SWAT, and Investigations.

Naomi's Village, Kenya

In Kenya, students visited Naomi’s Village, a ministry that houses both a school and a children’s home. Students taught lessons, helped put on events for children and families, assembled a water collection tank, shared their testimonies, and built tiered gardens so that families will be able to grow their own vegetables in the coming months.

Japan Trip

New to Winterim this year, our trip to Japan offered students a unique opportunity to explore Tokyo’s vibrant streets, hike volcanic landscapes, learn traditional Japanese crafts, and explore historic sites like the Imperial Gardens and the Yasukuni Shrine. This immersive trip blended ancient traditions with modern excitement, providing a rich appreciation for Japan’s heritage and cutting-edge innovation.

God in the Marketplace Class

Students worked with guest instructor Bob Schuldt to learn how to serve God in their careers, what real success means, and how their work matters to God. They were able to hear from business leaders like Patrick McCaskey, the Vice President and Secretary of the Chicago Bears. They also learned about business leaders recorded in the Bible and how they made decisions. Students ended the class with a better understanding of workplace ministry, a written life mission statement, and a sense of purpose surrounding their future careers.

My Half Kitchen Internship

Stella Alexander (’28), Peyton Woytas (’28), and Teah Simeunovich (’28) learned and served as part of the nonprofit organization My Half Kitchen, which provides transitional jobs and support to survivors of human trafficking, refugees, and those recovering from addiction. Students worked in the kitchen while learning about Trauma Informed Care, and led a training for the organization’s volunteers about best practices when working with women dealing with a history of trauma.

Legacy Wealth Advisors Internship

After an in-depth application and interview process, our DECA Chapter President, Josie Schuldt (’27), put her financial knowledge to work as an intern with Legacy Wealth Advisors. She learned a variety of wealth management tools and platforms as she researched stocks and drafted portfolios for clients.

Music and Missions Class

Mr. Willemssen’s Music and Missions class learned to experience the power of music in a missions setting. In class, our students connected with students at Kinyago-Dandora School, a Christian school that serves impoverished children in Kenya. The class exchanged videos and recordings with the students from Kenya and had an opportunity to learn from each other about their respective music and instruments.

Check out even more highlights on Instagram!

See all of the Winterim updates and so much more about what’s going on at Wheaton Academy.

Amy Hogan

Director of Admissions
Email

Apply Today

Want to be a part of next year’s Winterim experience? We already have more applications than spots available for the Class of 2030. It’s time to submit your application so your student can be a part of the Wheaton Academy community next year. Apply today or reach out to our Admissions team to talk about your next steps.