RANGELY I It’s sign-up time again for College For Kids through Colorado Northwestern Community College, with this year’s schedule offering new courses and discounted rates for multiple classes.
Junior Pilots, Junior Rangers and Mad Scientists courses return to the scene this year, with instructors planning to mix the familiar with the new in each of them.
CNCC faculty Ellis Johnson, Jason Krueger and Dave Blood will give kids a tour of Rangely Airport, a turn in the flight simulator and a flight in a CNCC student plane, as usual, but this year, large-scale remote control aircraft will entertain students with aerial maneuvers between activities.
Jennifer Walgrave’s Junior Rangers course offers a different patch and field guide at a new location this year, while Michelle Holland and John MacMillan’s science class will explore the “why” behind invisible ink, lava lamps, crystals and lightning.
“From year to year, these courses have been extremely popular,” CNCC community education coordinator Angie Miller said. “They’re an excellent reflection of some of our campus programs and the kids just seem to love them.”
Some courses are variations of past offerings, like Walgrave’s Treasure Hunters’ class, which omits the GPS portion of exploring and focuses instead on basics like map-reading and compass use. Kids will work together to find locations on campus containing treasures, with prizes for teams at each stop.
Kids’ climbing, offered by CNCC outdoor leadership program coordinator John Whipple, costs a modest $5 and teaches children the importance of communication and group work in learning the basics of rock climbing. The climbing gym is open to the public for a nominal fee throughout the summer, as well.
Next up is kids’ yoga, the only week-long session offered by certified instructor Tarrah Patch. Weather permitting, sessions are planned for the outdoors and include stretching, poses, games and relaxation.
Two sessions make up this year’s new kids’ clay camp, which focuses on technique and creative expression. Artist Julia Davis will work with children to design and create clay bugs, encouraging them to have fun with touch and play in this three-dimensional medium.
Instructor of equine studies Dustin Davis heads up the beginner horse session, an introduction to the basics of horse management and care.
This year, children who sign up for three or four classes receive a 5 percent discount on registration fees while those taking between five and seven courses get 10 percent off each. Sign up for all eight classes, and the students will receive 15 percent off course costs.
To learn more or get signed up for College For Kids or other courses, contact Miller at 675-3227.
