Kids College program to be held at NEAITC

Local children ages five to 11 will have a unique opportunity to continue learning during the summer months, as the exciting Kids College program will be held in Rector for the first time June 29 through July 2 at the Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center (NEAITC) on Main Street.

The program, which has been a success at Paragould in years past, offers area boys and girls a chance to take part in a variety of interesting and fun classes and projects.

"Kids College gives kids an opportunity to experience learning in a way that is exciting and fun," program coordinator Jacinda Welch said.

The program features a number of special guests and visitors, allowing students to earn a wealth of knowledge about things such as the functions of different types equipment on an ambulance, how to respond during an emergency, the many varieties of fish found in Arkansas, how Air Evac responds to a call while touring a helicopter, viewing a sample of a meteorite which landed locally, learning how the power of electricity is harnessed for use and many other interesting facts.

The children are grouped according to age and grade level in classes of 25 students. The Rector program currently is expected to consist of 75 students. Each class has two volunteers in place to help with activities in addition to the presenters. Classes, which include indoor and outdoor presentations, are typically one hour in length.

This year's classes and presenters include:

Ambulance presentation by the AMMC Ambulance Service; Emergency Management Personnel featuring a wide range of local emergency crews and first responders; Chemistry Magic; Mobile Aquarium by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Chopper presentation by Air Evac; the Solar System by Kenneth Renshaw; Construction Fun by Earl Wooldridge; a show by Elrod the Magician, and Electrical Safety.

Other classes and events like the NASCAR simulator, Balloon Fun and Pet Safety still are being considered for the program.

"Part of what makes Kids College so much fun is that a lot of our presentations are hands-on," Welch said. "The kids actually get to see the ambulance or work on their own birdhouse. They're involved in the presentations, and that makes it more exciting."

Classes will begin at 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday, June 29 through July 2. Parents should pick up their children by 12:30 p.m. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 7:55 a.m. each day.

Students must have completed a full year of pre-school through the fifth grade to qualify. The cost of enrollment is $45 per child, with additional children from the same family receiving a discounted rate of $40.

Parents are encouraged to register quickly as spaces are currently being filled. Registration forms may be picked up at the NEAITC or downloaded at www.neaitc.org. Registrations must be physically returned to the NEAITC to be accepted.