From dinosaurs, frogs and physics to beads, trees and tree climbing, this week's College for Kids has something for everyone.
The third out of eight weeks of offerings by Northwestern Michigan College, the robust summer schedule of classes for students ages four through high school allows to try something new or learn in depth about a passion.
"I take classes here every year, I really like the environment," said Sophie Kelly, 11, during a "Make a Wizards Staff" class Monday morning. "It's a really nice place to learn."
Kelly is taking seven classes this summer, with other topics including guitar, pottery and computers. Out of this year's record enrollment of 1,200 kids so far, with more expected to sign up before the final week August 14-18, many students take multiple classes.
"There's so many things you can do, it's hard to choose," she said.
Classmate Tyler Harris, 12, wielded a vegetable scraper to remove bark from his future enchanted staff.
"This is my first course, actually," he said. "It's a lot of fun and the instructor is awesome."
Since it began more than 25 years ago as a gifted and talented program, the College for Kids has offered a wide range of summer enrichment and fun. Twelve years ago it shifted to serving any student excited about spending a day or a week delving into a topic.
"This is for the highly motivated, the kids who want to be here," said Carol Evans, director of Extended Education Services.
Students are drawn from the local population as well as summer visitors, here for either a shorter visit with their parents or longer stay with relatives.
"We have people who I wouldn't say plan their vacation here around it, but they do request a schedule in advance," noted Evans.
This year, the College for Kids is offering an all-time high of 160 classes taught by 67 instructors, also a record. Some veteran teachers have a following for popular classes that draw students year after year, such as dinosaurs.
An influx of new teachers and ideas fueled the jump in number and variety, providing topics that have not been done before or have been dormant for a while. Even topics offered repeatedly get a fresh look when a new teacher takes the helm or a veteran gives it a different twist.
The college counts on the creative input of new and returning teachers when they set up the schedule every February.
"Teachers are a very good resource for what kids are interested in, what they need to know and what educational gaps we can help fill," said Evans. "We ask instructors: 'What do you love to teach that you never get enough time for? What is something you spend an hour on but you could easily go into a week?'"
Most College for Kids classes are held at NMC facilities, including the M-TEC building, the University Center and the main campus. A few offerings are held at schools in the TCAPS, including Westwoods and Eastern Elementary schools.
"One of the challenges for teachers is to take a college classroom and turn it into something that is appealing and interesting for kids," Evans said. "Teachers just come up with varied ways to do that."
For more information on upcoming College for Kids courses over the rest of the summer, call the office at 995-1700 or see their website at www.nmc.edu/ees.