Kaskaskia College Offers Summer Programs for Kids to Build a Foundation for the Future

Centralia, IL - Summer is about to begin, and Kaskaskia College (KC) is continuing educational opportunities for students of all ages throughout the season with fun, interactive lessons. KC is hosting classes for children from Pre-K through eighth grade in its Kids in College at Kaskaskia (KICK) program, and the college is offering Career Exploration workshops for students 11 to 19 years old.

This year's KICK classes will be held at KC's main campus, the Centralia Crisp Manufacturing and Trades Center, as well as its Greenville, Trenton, and Vandalia Education Centers. The sessions range in a variety of topics, including Lego building, where students will take home their sets, art classes, where participants can showcase their work at an art show, door hanger crafting, fairy garden building, and many more.

"It allows our students to visit our facilities and introduces them to our state-of-the-art classrooms and labs," Cydney Richardson, KC Coordinator of Workforce Development and Community Education, said. "I've seen many KICK kids go on to be graduates of Kaskaskia College. Not only do they gain a fun and educational experience by attending these summer programs, but they also build comfort and confidence in knowing that KC is a good fit for their future."

The Career Exploration workshops are typically for older students, depending on the subject. These workshops dive into topics like welding, health sciences, and cosmetology. This year, KC added three new camps: precision agriculture, teaching, and cybersecurity.

"It's hard to decide what you want to do in your career," Richardson said. "In these Career Exploration workshops, students will get to see what a day in the life is like in different fields. It makes a difference and can help them decide what path to take when they go to college, saving them time and money in the long run. These workshops are very hands-on. Welding students will build a rocket stove, and criminal justice participants will dust and lift fingerprints. You're not just going to be sitting in a lecture; you're going to get practical experience."

While there is no registration deadline for the KICK and Career Exploration camps, Richardson said space is limited in some of the offerings, so try to register as soon as possible. Costs vary for each session. Learn more and register here: https://kaskaskia.coursestorm.com/