Kids on Campus

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New programs bring more campers to campus

child smiling holding robotic car
Creating Lego robots is one of the activities in the Robots Rule camp.

New offerings and more registrations highlighted this year’s Kids on Campus (KOC) summer enrichment program, which recently concluded on the campus of Schoolcraft College. Arts and culture; communication; computers and technology; science and more are among the topics that are explored by children through 12th grade.

This year, Kids on Campus expanded beyond the main campus to the Manufacturing & Engineering Center (MEC). The MEC, which opened in 2020, was the ideal location for programming for those interested in STEM-related activities, including 3D printing and design and machine manufacturing.

“The classes at the MEC were very well received,” said Dr. Jodie Beckley, Director of Schoolcraft College’s Personal and Professional Learning (PPL) department, which manages the Kids on Campus program. “The overall attendance was great and the responses from students were very positive. Classes at the MEC allowed students to work with equipment currently used in manufacturing and allowed students to explore career options early.”

Given Schoolcraft College’s excellent reputation in the field of culinary arts, it’s no surprise that those classes were popular once again. Another well-received program was Camp Scrubs, which gives students a glimpse into a variety of careers in the medical field and highlights the outstanding resources on campus, including the brand-new Health Sciences Center.

For 2022, Kids on Campus, which ran June 27-August 12, had

  • More than 2,300 registrations this summer
    • This was an increase of more than 700 compared with last summer
  • 196 sections
  • 118 unique camps
  • 10 brand new camps
kid using machinery
Photo 1
kids in kitchen
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Photo 1: Under the direction of Gene Keyes, Schoolcraft College faculty member, a student explores the world of design in the Manufacturing & Engineering Center.
Photo 2: Students create a delicious masterpiece in Baker’s Academy.

Impressions from Kids on Campus

The engaging, invigorating programs taught by dedicated and enthusiastic teachers made Kids on Campus a winner once again. Here is a sampling of responses to the question, “What would you tell a friend about KOC?”:

Students:

  • “I hope I have college here” – David D. (Non-Stop Science)
  • “Kids on Campus is the best; it is amazing” – Daniel M. (Ocean Adventures)
  • “It is very enjoyable and fun and the teachers are really nice. It also helps you make friends” – Reyhan K. (Debate)
  • “Best decision of my life” – Cayden M. (Minecraft Modders – 7,8,9)
  • “It’s highly structured while remaining fun – helps curb the summer slide, especially during COVID” – Katie P. (Physics Fun)
  • “It’s a five out of five!” – Cameron J. (Make it Work)
  • “I would say that it’s a lot of fun and the people here will have a lasting effect on you” – Annastasia M. (Make it Work)
  • “It is fun for kids who like hands-on learning” – Ryan C. (Manufacturing & Engineering)

Parent:

  • “Classes are very engaging and it helps to expand the kids’ minds, curiosity, and knowledge. Instructors are awesome!” – Elizabeth H. (Preschool)

Michele Biaolo, Programming Manager, Personal & Professional Learning, is eager to build on this year’s momentum next year.

“Next summer we plan to have even more camps for kids in grades 1 and 2 and more camps the last week of Junewith Before and After Care,” she said. “This summer we tested the last week in June with six camps and they were very successful.”

Registration for next summer’s Kids on Campus is scheduled to open Thursday, February 10, 2023.  The annual Open House will meet Tuesday, February 8, 2023. Updates on next year’s KOC lineup can be found at schoolcraft.edu/koc.

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Parents and children can meet instructors, ask questions

An open house for Kids on Campus (KOC), the popular summer enrichment program for children pre-school age through grade 12, will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8. Please come to the DiPonio Room of the VisTaTech Center on the campus of Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, 48152.

Parents and children will have the opportunity to meet select class instructors and participate in hands-on activities. Staff will be available to answer questions about registration, which opens at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 10.

Kids on Campus Catalog cover
Registration for Kids on Campus begins Thursday, February 10

KOC’s summer day camps are led by skilled professionals in a diverse and dynamic social environment. The summer programs generally run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to noon with limited before and after care available for a small fee. 

Hands-on learning experiences, which bring out the inquisitive side of even the most hesitant of participants, are emphasized. Children ready to engage in a whole new experience can enjoy access to computers, math, cultural immersion, acting, the arts, science, writing and career-oriented learning opportunities. For those who want to expand academically, skills workshops are also offered. 

Highlighting this summer’s new offerings are three new classes for middle school and high school students at our state-of-the-art Manufacturing & Engineering Center (MEC):

3D Printing and Design
Grades 7-9

Students will follow the same process as an industrial designer – read blueprints, draw and sketch an image, add dimensions and turn an idea into a 3D model using Tinkercad. They’ll then bring the idea to life with a 3D printer, creating an actual prototype.

Machine Manufacturing, Leading Edge Technology
Grades 10-12

Students will use Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software and real Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines to create, design, build and finish products.

Explore Manufacturing and Engineering Design, Build and Test
Grades 10-12

Students will learn Computer Aided Design (CAD), Manufacturing, Welding, Metallurgy and Robotics in this camp. They start by designing a product, then bring it to life in the Manufacturing and Welding labs. In the Metallurgy module, students will learn about metals and other materials to support product design and manufacturing. They then finish the week learning about Robotics and testing out their new product.

The classes at MEC run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., allowing parents the opportunity to drop off children both there and at the main campus. The MEC is at 13001 Merriman Road in Livonia.

Learn more about Kids on Campus

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Science, the arts, careers and more are explored

Kids On Campus, Schoolcraft College’s popular summer enrichment program for more than 30 years, is off to a flying start this year. Due to the pandemic, the program became Kids Off Campus last year, with activities conducted virtually through Zoom. This summer, however, everyone is thrilled to be back at Schoolcraft.

“Kids, parents and staff are all very excited to have kids on the campus again.”

Michele Bialo, Programming Manager for Personal & Professional Learning.

“Kids, parents and staff are all very excited to have kids on the campus again,” said Michele Bialo, Programming Manager for Personal & Professional Learning. “Campers have been busy on campus exploring a variety of topics and enjoying new experiences.”

Kids on Campus (KOC) opened on Monday, July 12, and continues through Friday, August 13. Visit their website for more information and to register.

Children pre-school age through grade 12 are welcome, with programs generally running from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Before and after care is available, though spots are limited.

The day camps are led by skilled professionals, including Schoolcraft College faculty, in a diverse and dynamic social environment. Hands-on learning experiences that bring out the inquisitive side of even the most hesitant of participants are at the heart of KOC. 

Children engage in a whole new experience and enjoy access to computers, math, cultural immersion, acting, the arts, science, writing and career-oriented learning opportunities. Skills workshops are available for those who want to expand academically. 

  • Girl wearing paper hat
    Photo 1
  • Girl and nurse at medical table
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  • Boys playing computer games
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Photo 1: A budding magician from the Abracadabra – Magic Camp.
Photo 2: Fields in healthcare are explored in Camp Scrubs – Adventures in Medicine.
Photo 3: Campers can have fun becoming the next pro gamer, streamer, gamecaster and more through a variety of Computer Technology programs.

Bialo offered a few Kids On Campus highlights so far:

  • In Abracadabra – Magic Camp the children enjoyed a magic show by professional magician John Winslow. After seeing John’s show, the kids were inspired to put on a show of their own, which included card tricks, illusions and more. 
  • Kids in Zoocrew hiked the Northville Legacy Trail, enjoyed a live animal show from Animal Magic and learned what they can do to improve the environment. 
  • Camp Scrubs students participated in CPR training, enjoyed a visit to Schoolcraft’s state-of-the art simulation lab and learned about careers in medicine from multiple guest speakers.
  • For Robotics there are three camps with different grade levels going on at the same time. Each student creates a robot that competes at the end of camp in a robot battle. 
  • In the Inventors camps kids learned all about the invention process from initial design, to patents and prototypes. Kids created inventions to solve important issues. One inventor designed a box for cell phones in cars that zaps the driver who tries to text while driving.
  • In Curtain Call, students wrote, directed and starred in two original plays.

Of course the campers themselves (and their parents) are the real judges of how successful Kids On Campus is. Here are some reactions:

  • “KOC is the best camp in the world.” – Esha E.
  • “This place is amazing and you should join!” – Briana C.
  • “The best way to spend summer break.” – Cayden M.
  • “This summer camp is just amazing. You learn a lot, it is nicely organized, and it is just truly one of the most awesome weeks of summer.” – Emma L.
  • “You will meet many new people and do cool things.” – Sarah U.
  • “Mercer really enjoyed this week’s camp (more so than I thought he would!), and he has been practicing his skills at home.” – Tim G. (chess student parent)

New name for Continuing Education department

Personal and Professional Learning catalog booklet cover

Kids on Campus is run through Schoolcraft College’s Personal and Professional Learning (PPL) department, formerly called Continuing Education and Professional Development (CEPD). The objective of PPL is to help community members pursue new passions or upgrade professional skill sets through non-credit classes, which has long been an important component of Schoolcraft College. 

Registration for the fall semester is now open, and PPL will continue to offer a variety of classes for both virtual students as well as those who prefer to attend class on campus. For example, some yoga classes will be live-streamed for students who prefer to exercise in the privacy of their own homes. 

Other classes, such as Italian, will remain virtual because it has become so popular during the pandemic that not all of the students will now fit in a typical classroom. 

View the classes online.

View the PPL website. You can email questions to [email protected].