MCC set to offer a variety of summer kids camps, classes

McCook Community College is offering a variety of summer kids camps, classes and activities for students of all ages and a variety of subjects including art, martial arts, fitness, robotics, LEGOs, music theater and a fire safety class.

Pre-registration is required through the Business and Community Education office at (308) 345-8122 or you can register online at BCEregister.mpcc.edu

There are two STEM camps scheduled this summer, one targeting martial arts and fitness for students five and older and another camp targeting LEGO Spike Robotics for fifth through eighth graders

STEM Martial Arts and Fitness is a unique program designed for students to enjoy the benefits of a fun and exciting martial arts class while learning STEM concepts. Certified Martial Artist, John King, will teach students five and older ways their bodies and fitness tie into STEM principles, all while fostering a healthier lifestyle. Students will receive a STEM uniform shirt and parents will receive weekly STEM learning videos that go along with each week's principles. John King is the Instructor. Cost is $145.

This camp is set for Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 1–June 24, from 4-5 p.m., at Tipton Hall in the Weeth Theater.

In the first session of SPIKE Robotics, students in fifth through eighth grades can learn the latest in robotics. This class will use the new LEGO® SPIKE Prime set -- today's go-to STEM learning tool for middle-school students. It goes June 14-16 with the second session Aug 9-11. Camp sessions will go from 12:30-2:30 p.m., in room 201 of McMillen Hall with MCC Math Instructor Micah Marvin leading the class. Cost for each session is $39.

 "This class is unlike any robotics class we've ever offered," said Sharon Kircher, Mid-Plains Community College Business & Community Education Coordinator. "It will start at the beginning and quickly build to include challenging tasks."

The program combines colorful LEGO building elements, easy-to-use hardware, and an intuitive drag-and-drop coding language. This camp will engage students through playful learning activities, challenging them to think critically and solve complex problems, regardless of their learning level.

Two art fundamentals camps are set for July for children in the second through eighth grade July 6-9 and will conclude with an exhibition in the Wrightstone Fine Arts Gallery July 9.

Kim Johnson will offer these two-hour classes Tuesday through Thursday at $30. Students will explore the elements and principles of art with two-dimensional and tree-dimensional exploratory activities.

The camp for second through fourth graders will be from 10 a.m.-noon with those in the fifth through eighth grade going from 2-4 p.m.

This year's summer theater camp for kindergarten through eighth graders will stage "James and The Giant Peach Jr." at two performances July 17.

Auditions will be Monday, July 12 with specific rehearsals provided after cast selection. The entire group will meet from 2-4 each day July 12-17 with those taking on major roles rehearsing from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lindi and Kim Johnson will instruct this week long camp. Cost is $45.

A new summer program for middle-schoolers will give area youth the chance to learn about running a real business – a lemonade stand -- and make their own money during Crazy Days. McCook Lemonade Day is for children in the fourth through sixth grade, and offered free through a partnership with McCook Economic Development Corporation, McCook Chamber of Commerce, and McCook Community College.

Parents or grandparents are invited to register their adult/child team. Registration will close June 11. The actual Lemonade Day is July 10 during McCook's Crazy Days promotion. Participants will receive a backpack and free educational materials with lessons on setting a goal, creating a lemonade product, making a budget, finding an investor, choosing a location, building a stand, marketing their business, and ultimately creating a business plan for their lemonade stand. To register, call the MEDC Office at 345-1200, or MCC at 345-8122.

There will also be a "Stop-Drop-Roll Fire safety and obstacle course July 22 for children age 6-10. Participants will learn the importance of fire safety to be prepared in the case of an emergency, and also get to climb aboard the fire truck and see the safety equipment up close. This will go from 1-2:30 p.m. with instructor Tim Zehnder with the cost of $5 and includes the chance to run an obstacle mimicking what firefighters might hae to do in the case of an emergency, (you should be prepared to get wet).