by: Michelle Barnhart
This summer will mark the 40th year Parkland has hosted College for Kids (CFK), a summer camp and enrichment program that allows kids ages 8-13 to take up to two classes on campus over a two-week period.
Registration opens Feb. 17 for Session 1, which will take place from June 15-25. Session 2 will be July 6–16. Need-based scholarships are available.
“We want to make sure the program is accessible to everyone in the community,” said Terry Thies, Parkland College Youth Program Manager. Thies’ role is to plan and promote the program, as well as recruit new instructors.
Using a STEAM-based model (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), College for Kids offers a wide variety of classes that encompass an even wider variety of interests, skills, and activities. Classes are taught by instructors from all over the community, including Parkland and University of Illinois faculty, local public and private school teachers, and graduate students. Each class also has 1-2 student assistants from Parkland. Hiring for those positions will begin later this month.
“The program gives students an opportunity to explore their interests at a younger age”
According to Thies, the goal of College for Kids is to have students learn through hands–on, exploratory activities. The activities are fun and educational and are always rooted in at least one of the STEAM fields. Some classes include a variety of age ranges, while others are split from 8-10 and 11-13. Activities are adapted based on age group.
There are several unique classes offered by this program. One class teaches students map skills and then lets them geo-cache around the Parkland campus. Another class teaches students how to play jazz music, which is great for kids who hope to join their school’s jazz band. There is also an art class where kids find unique ways to paint, like using bubble wrap. There are babysitting classes and classes that teach kids how to raise a pet. This learn-by-doing approach keeps students engaged and helps them develop useful skills.
But skill-building is nowhere near the only benefit of this program. Thies explained that CFK helps to prevent summer learning loss. Oftentimes, students will forget things they learned during the school year over summer break. Programs like these keep the education going, the mind busy, and the information fresh.
Additionally, the program gives students an opportunity to explore their interests at a younger age. Many kids enter the program knowing what they like to do or might want to do in the future; they can further develop their talents and learn necessary skills to succeed. Many others discover completely new interests and hidden talents. With the extensive range of subjects, College for Kids is a great way for kids to find their niche.
“There’s something for everyone,” Thies told the Prospectus.
“College for Kids is also a positive social experience. Students come from all over the community, some from public schools, some from private, some homeschooled”
College for Kids is also a positive social experience. Students come from all over the community, some from public schools, some from private, some homeschooled. The hands-on activities allow them to interact with each other and work together. Thies said it is amazing to see how quickly kids from different schools, areas, and backgrounds become friends through this program.
Coming up on 40 years this summer, College for Kids has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Thies explained that the program sees many kids from the same families come through as the years go by. Sets of siblings are most common, but Thies shared one story about a father and son who both attended the camp in different decades. The father received a T-shirt during his time at the camp, and one day years later his son showed up wearing the same, decades-old shirt. Additionally, many kids who attend the program come back to work for it several years later.
“You don’t last this long as a program unless there’s quality,” Thies said.
One thing Thies loves about this program is the amount of support and involvement from the college and community. She said she works with people from all over Parkland who are very helpful and supportive when she begins planning for camp in September. She also enjoys meeting the families of kids and hearing what they like about the program and what they would like to see in the future.
Thies said this program is a great way to give back to the community. “We promote how important education is in a fun and inspiring way,” she said. “I’m excited to be a part of that.”
For more information on College for Kids, click here.
