DUBOIS – School is out for most kindergarten through 12-grade students in the region, but learning doesn’t have to be put on hold until fall. More than 400 students are currently participating in Summer Youth Programs at Penn State DuBois. Organized by Penn State DuBois Continuing Education, these programs make learning exciting, and offer an opportunity for children to continue learning during the summer months.
“We want them to have fun while learning,” says Program Coordinator Sueann Doran. “They’re participating in classes that interest them and topics they want to learn about.”
Assuring program content appeals to students at all levels, there are two different age-specific programs. “Kids in College” provides kindergarten through sixth-grade students with fun classes, utilizing crafts and games as learning tools. Classes include topics such as music, theater, cooking and lessons on the environment and rain forests. Kids can also apply the skills they’ve learned by participating in themed activities. At Pirate Camp, students will use map reading skills and their knowledge of direction to find buried treasure. Doran said, “It helps them to retain the information when they have fun in the process.” There are also volleyball and soccer camps offered for the sports minded.
The fun doesn’t stop on the elementary level. For students in seventh through 12th grades there’s the “Art, Science and Technology Institute”. Classes like forensic science and digital photography give students a look inside possible career choices. A seminar on screenwriting teaches students the basics of how to write screenplays for Hollywood films.
According to Diana Ricotta, assistant director of Continuing Education, “The idea of having fun while learning will inspire kids and motivate them to want to learn throughout their lives. Children who participate in our programs are more likely to pursue higher education when they get older.” There are 100 former Kids in College participants currently enrolled as undergraduate students at Penn State University. Of those students, 62 of them attend Penn State DuBois.
This is the 22nd year that Kids in College classes have been offered in DuBois. This year’s Kids in College and Arts Science and Technology Institute began June 18, with classes continuing to run June 25 though June 29 at Penn State DuBois. Classes are also available in St. Marys June 25-28. Another session will run July 9-13 at Penn State DuBois.