![[Nameplate]](http://www.claycountydemocrat.com/images/nameplate.png)
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Post comment
 Savannah Book proudly displays the beautiful birdhouse she made during Kids College at the NEAITC on Tuesday. Area children are currently taking part in a variety of fun and educational activities as part of the program. [Click to enlarge] |
In its first year at Rector, Kids College is off to a strong start, hosting 44 local students in three age divisions: kindergarten and first grade; second and third grades, and fourth and fifth grades.
The program is being held at the Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center (NEAITC) in conjunction with Black River Technical College (BRTC). Kids College has been successful in Paragould in previous years, with all indications pointing toward the same for Rector.
"I think, for the first year, it's a great start," said program coordinator and NEAITC director Jacinda Welch. "We not only have kids from Rector taking part, but also from Paragould and all over Clay County."
The strength of the program comes from its hands-on approach to learning, allowing the students to, literally, get a feel for what is involved with careers such as emergency first responders, with presentations by Arkansas Methodist Medical Center ambulance crews and the Air Evac team, and scientist, with presentations by NASA Solar System Ambassador Kenneth Renshaw and the Arkansas Game and Fish mobile aquarium. Students can even experience the thrill of being a professional car driver through the DARE program's Nascar simulator among other exciting events.
"Our main goal is to expose the kids to the different kinds of careers that are available," Welch said. "The earlier in life kids begin thinking about what type of career they want, the more likely they are to stay with that decision."
What makes the program truly unique is the guest visitors.
"We have such wonderful community support," Welch said. "The people and businesses who support us and come out and make presentations really make this program something the kids enjoy each year and something they look forward to."
On Monday, the first day of Kids College in Rector, the students took part in presentations offered by Lee's Karate of Paragould, Kenneth Renshaw of Piggott and the Pocahontas Police Department. The students also made their own birdhouses with the assistance of BRTC instructor Earl Wooldridge.
"This gives the children a chance to work with their hands and see the finished product," Wooldridge said. "The boards are already cut for them, the kids can put their birdhouse together however they like. They can decorate them and make each one different. It's a lot of fun."
In the presentation offered by Lee's Karate, students learn the importance of exercise in good health, as well as some basic self-defense.
"It's not for fighting," young Kcodey Rodriguez of Rector said of the presentation. "It's to keep you safe and not have to fight."
The program is continuing through Thursday. Classes are taking place from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with Thursday's events being held at the community center to allow for more space for some of the larger presentations.
"Kids College has grown every year," Welch said. "We hope to continue that in Rector as well."
Welch said she hopes to expand the program to include special clinics focusing on careers in healthcare and even the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
"We hope to keep adding programs and presenters," Welch said. "We want to give the kids a better understanding of what types of careers are out there. It's really exciting when you think about it."
Welch expresses thanks to all the volunteers and presenters who are helping with the program. She also extends a special thanks to local sponsor Glen Sain Motors for providing Kids College with t-shirts.
"This program is made possible through the involvement of our local communities," Welch said. "We can't thank everyone enough for helping make Kids College what it has become."