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Area children can take an archery class like these kids during this summer’s Kids College at Seward County Community College/Area Techincal School. Photo courtesy www.hillcountrybowhunters.com
By RACHEL COLEMAN
• Leader & Times
Summer in Southwest Kansas has just begun to heat up, but it’s already time to begin thinking about college — Kids College, that is.
Seward County Community College/Area Technical School has firmed up the list of 30 classes available at this year’s two-week session of Kids College, set for July 16-19 and July 23-26. Director Norma Jean Dodge said she’s excited about what the summer holds.
“We have several really popular classes lined up — swimming, cheerleading, archery, the challenge course — but we also have some new things this year,” she said. “In the art department, we’ll have a class that teaches the kids how to create 3-D sculptures on the computer. It’s pretty neat. We’ll also have a gentleman coming in who knows how to do these amazing math shortcuts, mental math and other tricks. He’ll teach the students how to multiply huge numbers very quickly in their heads. I was impressed.”
Dodge also noted the program will include more sports classes this year, with soccer, basketball and tennis added to the mix. Kids College will also feature extreme martial arts and jujitsu with returning teacher Tadd Fulton, who’s been busy this year with his own training and performance program.
“He’s become so successful with all that, I was surprised he was able to come back and teach for us,” Dodge said.
Whether students prefer the academic offerings or the many sports programs, Dodge anticipates enthusiastic participation in all the classes.
“It’s pretty well mixed up, so the kids get a good balance,” she said.
Kids College is open to students entering first through sixth grades. With sessions starting at 8 a.m. and 10:15, four days a week, it’s possible for children to participate in four classes during the two-week Kids College program. Each class costs $25.
“I’ve had students sign up for only one, or go all the way and take four courses. It kind of depends on what the kids are interested in, the parents’ budget, the schedules for the families. We try to make it flexible,” Dodge said. For those students who sign up for the entire morning, Kids College provides a snack between sessions.
Each week, the instructors provide a showcase on the final day of classes. Cheerleading students perform a demonstration in the student union, where art students’ work is on display and other projects are in the spotlight.
“It’s pretty neat to see everything the different classes have been doing, and we encourage parents to stop and take a look,” Dodge said.
Dodge expects as many as 100 students to participate this year.
“My own kids look forward to this every year,” she said. “It’s fun and there are always new subjects they don’t get a chance to experience at school. I hope we’ll have a big group this year.”
Sign-ups for Kids College classes begin the first week of July. Dodge said her office will prepare and mail out schedules and registration forms to anyone who requests a spot on the mailing list. Interested parents can also stop at the SCCC/ATS Business and Industry offices on the second floor of the student union. Summer hours at the college are 7 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Information about Kids College will also be posted on the college website, www.sccc.edu.
For more information, call the Business and Industry office at 417-1170.
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