Keep Kids Engaged with MCC’s Virtual College for Kids

Middlesex Community College is helping to keep kids ages 8-17 busy and engaged this summer with virtual College for Kids and a partnership with Black Rocket for online classes. College for Kids allows children to have a productive and fun summer while exploring careers, learning new skills, meeting new friends, and boosting self-confidence.

"This summer, College for Kids has been creative in keeping students engaged, having fun and learning with our virtual classes,” said Lauren Ellis, MCC’s Program Manager for Community Education & Training. “For our virtual Cakes & Cupcakes program, parents picked up supplies MCC provided to ensure every participant had what they needed to complete the class and bake yummy treats. Wearing masks and gloves, we followed all the necessary health and safety precautions to keep the MCC community safe!"

Kids in the College for Kid’s photography class taught by Tory Wesnofske gained photo-taking skills and confidence in their weeklong online class.

“The camp session was such a nice way to spend a few days during this stay-at-home summer,” said Alexis Treat ­– from Chelmsford – whose daughter Caroline took the class. “I was so impressed by what she was able to do after just a few hours! We appreciate how well the sessions were structured and how it allowed for both instruction and hands-on time. We also appreciated how it allowed her to participate and engage independently.”

Alison Chase, from Ayer, said her daughter Jaiya has now become the family photographer after taking the class.

“I think the format worked great,” Chase said. “She normally hates Zoom classes but she was totally engaged with Tory and her instruction. And it was great seeing her come up with her ‘photoshoots.’ Kudos to Tory for how she kept the ‘open door’ on Zoom throughout the day and gave them a good amount of time to go to work on the assignments. She was busy, engaged and happy all day! And now she has a great base of learning that I know she’ll keep working on – especially in this time of pandemic when she cannot be doing a lot of her other normal activities.”

MCC’s College for Kids offers one- and three-week, full- and half-day summer programs for children and teens. The program runs through August 13. Classes will either be on ZOOM, Google Classroom or Google Meet. Having classes in a virtual format ensures kids stay safe and healthy while learning. Upcoming classes include creative writing, exploration art studio, veterinary science, choreography and healthy eating.

For the complete 2020 College for Kids schedule and registration information, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/collegeforkids/ or call 781-280-3663.

Middlesex’s partnership with Black Rocket and other local Mass. community colleges allows the college to offer more online class options that includes high-quality content at an affordable price. Kids explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in innovative ways.

Black Rocket classes will be offered through the week of August 24. Each class is $149 for a week of classes – five sessions – and runs Monday through Friday.

Visit http://hcc.3dcartstores.com/Summer-Youth-Programs_c_2132.html for more information on Black Rocket classes. Please note the link goes to Holyoke Community College’s website. All classes taken with Black Rocket will still be associated with Middlesex.

MCC is registering for the Fall semester which features enhanced online options and starts on September 9. To register, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!