OTC’s Kids College offers variety of fun

By Steve Koehler

Summer vacation is fast approaching and if you’re a parent, you probably need something to occupy your child’s time during the coming months.

Ozarks Technical Community College’s Continuing Education Center offers some unique and innovative programs to keep your child’s mind, body and hands busy.
 
Kids College, now in its fifth year, offers programs on everything from learning about robots and rocket science to being a crime scene investigator. There’s even an Etiquette Academy Finishing School for children to learn the proper ways to meet, greet and introduce people and proper dinner etiquette.

Dana Thorp Patterson, the center’s director, said the programs are designed to introduce kids to a variety of topics and to engage them in new skills and activities.

“OTC has a wonderful concept of opening the college doors to everyone, including kids.  While we provide classes, camps and programs throughout the year, we offer an even richer selection during the summer. We provide amazing classes and projects for these kids and we see a lot of return students – watching them grow up right here on campus is awesome,” she said.

This summer, the program has added an Eco-Friendly Kids Camp where kids will learn about recycling and reusing products – all of their projects will be made out of recyclable materials.

“Our goal continues to be a provider of enriched and enjoyable lifelong learning for all of our community members, including the younger ones,” Patterson said. 

Classes range in length from one to five days and are offered to children ages three and up. Fees for the classes vary. Most are held on OTC’s Springfield campus and some programs include lunch. Almost every interest and hobby is offered at this year’s college.

To view the summer schedule, log onto www.otc.edu/continuinged or call us at 447-8888 to have a catalog mailed to you.

Steve Koehler is coordinator of publications at Ozarks Technical Community College.