Students will participate in a variety of activities during the five weeks, including interactive learning games, visual and graphic arts, crafts, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) projects.
BY KARIN DAVIS-THOMPSON, Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG — It’s never too early to start thinking about college – at least that’s what the team a St. Petersburg College (SPC) believes. This summer, students in fourth through ninth grades will have the chance to experience learning on a college campus.
SPC will host College for Kids, a five-week summer experience from 9-3 p.m. at the downtown and Tarpon Springs locations. Extended care is available at each site for a fee and will be open from 3-5:30 p.m.
Dr. Yvonne Williams, SPC corporate college coordinator, said they hope the camp will inspire students to think about learning in a college setting at an early age.
“Our goal is to introduce a fun and interactive college experience without the pressure of grades and with COVID-19 safety measures in place,” she said.
Williams said the college has strict precautions in place to keep students safe during the camp, including screenings for symptoms and daily temperature checks.
“High contact areas will be sanitized throughout the day, student spaces will be six feet apart, hand sanitizers will be available, and students and teachers will wear masks at all times,” she said.
State certified teachers will facilitate the classes, something organizers felt was very important to provide, even though there are no grades attached to the camp.
“It is important to provide instruction from instructors who have been credentialed by the state in order to ensure that students are learning,” Williams explained.
Students will participate in a variety of activities during the five weeks, including interactive learning games, visual and graphic arts, crafts, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) projects. There will also be field trips throughout the camp to provide further enrichment.
“Students attending the downtown center summer experience will have walking tours of the downtown area as well as tours of some of the many art museums located there,” Williams stated. “The Tarpon Springs campus is home to the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, where students will create art and have it displayed in the museum.”
Each site has 45 slots with students grouped by grades fourth through sixth and seventh through ninth.
Williams, who has been with SPC for 11 years, said there is no income limit and no residency requirement. She said families interested in getting a slot should call as soon as they can.
“We will have a waiting list,” she said. “But we strongly recommend getting your children enrolled early for this experience.”
Right now, there are no scholarships for families, but organizers said to stay tuned as they are looking for funding for possible full or partial scholarships to assist families with the weekly camp fee.
College for Kids begins on June 14 and runs until July 23. The cost is $80 per week. For more information or to register, call 727-302-6436.
