by Teri Zurfluh

Kids College is the summer enrichment series sponsored by Paul D. Camp Community College’s Division of Workforce Development in Franklin.

This program offers unique workshops for rising 2nd — 12th graders that are designed to teach new skills, develop new interests and hobbies, and explore future career opportunities.

What makes a Kids College class unique?

The classes at Kids College set us apart from other summer enrichment programs by embracing the following characteristics:

* Being hands-on

* Having a strong element of fun in planned activities

* Not too much like “school”

* Offering topics they never get to do in school

* Offering topics they enjoy in school, but never get to really “dig deep” into

* Incorporating enrichment opportunities to do things they won’t do many other places

* Being age-appropriate

* Allow kids to “explore, experiment & discover” in new ways

We have topics ranging from Arts & Expression, Career Exploration, Hobbies & Interests, STEM (Science, Technology and Math) and Student Success. Some of our most popular classes in past summers include Balloon Art, Fossil Finders, Cake Madness, Computer Programming, Health Career Academy, Kayak Kids, Fashion Design, Self-Defense, Art Unleashed, Junior Master Gardeners Camp and Tie Dye Tuesdays.

This summer we have lots of new classes lined up to join our favorites from years past, including three new Magic Camps, which will teach some of the tricks from the magician’s hat, and encourage public speaking, confidence, and storytelling. Our magic camp for high school students will not only teach teens how to do the tricks, but how to turn those tricks into networking, marketing and entrepreneurial skills that will help them be financially successful in the future.

Much of our success comes out of fantastic partnerships with area organizations, including the Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts, Southampton Memorial Hospital, Western Tidewater Tennis Association, Isle of Wight/Southampton County Cooperative Extension, Blackwater Nottoway Riverkeeper Program and Blackwater Outfitters/Nottoway River Guides.

Registration for this summer’s fun opened on May 1, 2013.We are offering an early bird special. If you register by June 3, you will receive a $25 discount on each child’s tuition.

The vision behind Kids College has always been the same — that kids can’t dream about things they don’t know about. So our job at Kids College is to help them see new things… to explore, experiment and discover… because if they can see it, they can dream it. Kids College helps them dream the possible.

So come dream with us… this summer and every summer. For more information, visit our website: www.pdc.edu/kids-college or contact me at 569-6700.

Teri Zurfluh is Kids College Director at Paul D. Camp Community College. Her email is tzurfluh@pdc.edu