Community Education at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) offers a range of summer classes that combine information, hands-on knowledge, and fun to enhance the annual seasonal break for kids and young adults ages 4-18. Breaking out of the mold of the traditional coursework students engage in during the school year, these courses help expand their learning sphere while allowing them to explore personal interests.
As an example, kids with a passion for helping out in the kitchen might want to take one of the culinary classes that offers specific focuses on specialty and ethnic cuisines. The artistically-interested may want to learn new techniques to create decorative or intricate works. Some of the many courses offered explore popular career paths, like firefighting, and veterinary medicine. The classes offered are diverse and cater to multiple interests, skill levels, and age groups.
EMCC’s Coordinator of Community Education, Marcia Ford, sees the benefits as numerous. “We offer all kinds of stimulating classes in art, piano, singing, culinary, Lego™, Mad Science, computer gaming, cheer, dance, kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, reading, babysitting, fire academy, acting, and veterinary class,” she explained, “Kid's College offers children a chance to take a challenging class on the EMCC college campus and find out that our campus offers more than college classes for adults; we serve the entire community.”
- Time/Date: Classes offered average 3-days-long. Courses vary in price.
- Registration: Visit the Community Education Web page to register, and for a complete list of class descriptions, times, and prices.
- Location: Most classes are held at the main EMCC campus at 3000 N. Dysart Rd., in Avondale, Ariz., unless otherwise noted.
An additional benefit kids receive by attending Kid's College courses at EMCC is the opportunity to navigate a college campus and get a firsthand understanding of the campus’ physical landscape and its easy maneuverability. This time spent in a supportive and friendly collegiate environment can help encourage secondary learning in the future.
Enjoy a video link from a former Kid's College course where students learned to make an electric guitar: https://vimeo.com/113402899