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Tag: Youth Camps

Registration Open for Summer Learning Academy Classes

May 18, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

There still are opportunities to register for Summer Learning Academy (SLA) classes offered through East Central College’s Community Education program.

SLA provides a unique, fun experience for area youth on the Union campus and in Rolla. There is no cost to attend classes, but registration is required. To sign up for classes or to request to be on a waitlist, visit www.eastcentral.edu/community/SLA.

SLA is free thanks to the generosity of sponsors, including SLA Gold sponsors: Jimmy John’s, the Rotary Club of Washington, ECC Foundation, Brewer Science, Inc. and Edward Jones (various offices). View all of our sponsors on the SLA website.

Some classes meet once, and others meet twice in a week, or three to five days. The first class in Rolla begin July 10, and all the classes wrap up on or before Aug. 3.

Classes in the College’s SLA are designed with curiosity and creativity in mind — letting students develop talents and encourage exploration and personal growth. Classes are offered for students ages five to 18 and cover a wide range of topics.

According to Loretta Peterman, corporate STEM education manager with Brewer Science, Inc., SLA offers a fun opportunity for children to learn.

“The Summer Learning Academy is always a lot of fun and the students are eager to have fun while learning,” she said. “Students can explore at their own speed — no grades and no homework make Summer Learning Academy very attractive.”

SLA is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn new skills, make new friends, and have fun. All area youth are invited to participate.

Michelle Widener, the mother of an SLA participant, said she is impressed with the program and her family quickly noticed the benefits.

“It was a great way to introduce my daughter to new experiences and it opened up a new creative avenue for her,” she said. “We are so thankful for this great resource.”

Among the classes still available in Union are:

  • Fiber Crafts
  • Laugh Your Way to Improve
  • Escape Room-Post Apocalyptic
  • Get to Know Franklin County
  • Fishing
  • Christmas in July
  • Fire Safety
  • Internet Safety
  • Drumming Leadership

Some of the classes still available in Rolla are:

  • Intro to Kayaking
  • Mammals of Missouri
  • Amazing Anatomy
  • Picture Yourself a Radiologic Technician
  • Christmas in July
  • Jazz Funk Dance
  • Juggling for Beginners
  • It’s Your Bag
  • Animal Portraiture
  • Tabletop Game Design
  • Internet Safety
  • WeDo Robotics

Students or parents will be asked to prioritize their interests while registering. Participants can register for a maximum of four classes, but not all the classes are guaranteed.

For more information, people may email Pam.Kaiser@eastcentral.edu or call 636-649-5803.

Summer Learning Academy Thrives in First Year

August 7, 2018 | Campus News

This summer, Samuel Getchman kept busy. He designed a video game, solved a forensic mystery and escaped a vault.

“I wanted to be able to express my creativity,” he said, “I like exploring. I like expanding my mind.”

He was able to do all three at East Central College’s Summer Learning Academy. Facilitated by Community Education, it provided a unique, fun experience for area youth on the Union campus this summer.

“These classes were designed with curiosity in mind – letting students develop talents and encourage personal growth,” said Program Coordinator Bonnie Devine. “In the past, we’ve offered traditional summer camp-style activities, but we went in a new direction this year.”

Along with the new name, classes were completely redesigned.

“To make this program successful, we knew we needed faculty buy-in,” said Joel Doepker, Vice President of External Relations. “We wanted to bring their knowledge and expertise into the mix. We wanted to strike the right balance between having fun and learning something new.”

Several East Central College instructors jumped at the chance to be a part of Summer Learning Academy. Assistant Professor of Engineering Dr. Isaiah Kellogg created an escape room where students used math and science skills to solve puzzles before the clock ran out. Journalism instructor Leigh Kolb facilitated a student-run online newspaper where students put their reporting skills to the test. Science Laboratory Manager Jennifer Chitwood ran a forensics lab where students were able solve crime mysteries and learn from real law enforcement investigators.

Culinary Program Coordinator Mike Palazzola offered a made-from-scratch pizza class and a dessert bakeshop class for students.

“I always get excited when we have young students in the kitchen,” said Palazzola. “We not only teach them how to cook but also why it’s important to learn about kitchen safety and following instructions.”

The new look and feel of Summer Learning Academy made a difference with enrollment. Nearly 220 students signed up for classes this year, a 70 percent jump over 2017!

“Several classes reached capacity in just a few weeks,” said Devine. “We hope to expand more next year and continue to offer new, exciting classes for area youth.”