Southeast summer camp series a success

This summer, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College held a series of free day camps for kids on the Middlesboro Campus. 

“We understood that after quarantining for over a year away from their friends, kids wanted to be engaged and have fun with each other,” said Southeast Student Outreach Coordinator Rian Edwards. “We gave them plenty of both.”

Beginning June 14 and ending July 23, activities included art, music, health and safety, carpentry, photography, science, 3-D printing, virtual reality, and how to be a YouTuber. Some camps lasted for a few hours, while others spanned several days, and participants ranged in age from four to 14.

“Our camps totally exceeded my expectations,” said Edwards. “We had incredible volunteers from the community come together with our amazing faculty and staff to provide these opportunities. When Elizabeth Bisceglia and I started planning, we hoped to have 50 kids sign up. We ended up with almost 200!”

According to Southeast President Vic Adams, the camps are a great example of the College’s role throughout the region. 

“We are the community’s college,” said Adams, “and we consider these children and their families to be important members of our community. Serving their needs is a vital part of our overall mission.”

Edwards says that the workshops filled so quickly, she had to close registration in less than a week. Plans are already underway to expand the series for summer 2022.

“Now that we know what to expect, we will offer even more opportunities for kids next year,” she said.

 

Harper Bisceglia learns to play the violin in Southeast’s summer music camp led by Rachel Grubbs.

 

Former Southeast instructor and LMU DCOM student Halsey Parks shows campers how to use a cloud finder.

 

Middlesboro EMS gave participants a peek inside an ambulance and demonstrated the stretcher and other medical equipment.

 

Officers from the Middlesboro Police Department taught campers basic safety rules like the importance of knowing their address and when to call 911.