MECC Hosts Summer Camps and Programs for Area Youth

The school year is almost over for area students, but Mountain Empire Community College is offering a number of opportunities for young people to have fun this summer while continuing the learning process.  These camp and program options are also a benefit for parents around the region who may be concerned about how to keep their children occupied this summer. 

Rising seventh, eight, and ninth graders in the MECC service region may participate in the Tech Prep Career Exploration Summer Camp.  This camp will be held June 12 through June 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  It is sponsored by the Mountain Empire Tech Prep Consortium and introduces young people to the hottest careers of the next decade. 

Students will have the opportunity to explore two different careers through hands-on activities.  They may choose from areas including Business and Marketing; Communication, Arts and Media; Criminal Justice; Drafting and Geographic Information System; Electronics; Environmental Sciences; Healthcare; or Technology Design.  The final day of the camp includes a tour of businesses and industries or agencies related to the career fields investigated during the week. 

Breakfast, lunch, and transportation by public school buses will be provided for the camp, along with other "goodies".  The program is fully funded by the Mountain Empire Tech Prep Consortium and is free of cost to participants.  All forms to register for the camp must be completed and returned by June 1.  For more information about the Tech Prep Career Exploration camp or to request a registration package, contact Terry Garrett at (276) 523-2400, extension 372 or tgarrett@me.vccs.edu, or contact Connie Rhoton at (276) 523-2400, extension 379.

For children, ages 5 through 10, the college is offering Kids Camp from July 24 through July 27.  At this year's camp, children will participate in the RadKids program, designed to educate them with the tools, knowledge, and power to recognize and avoid danger.  The program will also teach them about protecting themselves and resisting physical abuse.

Camp begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday.  Participants are required to bring a bag lunch on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Lunch will be provided for campers by MECC on Thursday.  The cost is $75 per child and pre-registration is required.  For more information about Kids Camp, contact Mitzi Williams at (276) 523-7477 or mmwilliams@me.vccs.edu. 

On July 31 through August 4, MECC will offer the 2nd Annual Mountain Music School featuring classes in old time fiddle, claw hammer banjo, guitar, mandolin, and dulcimer.  Youth and adults, ages 10 and over, may be enrolled in the music school, which will operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Students will be treated to class visits and afternoon concerts by master musicians. 

A celebration is planned for August 4, the last day of Mountain Music School classes.  A student/instructor concert will be held that day for family and friends of students and faculty.  All students will receive a t-shirt and will have the opportunity to attend the famous Carter Fold Music Festival on August 4 and 5 in Hiltons, Virginia. 

Tuition is $150 for both youth and adults with a limited number of "youth scholarships" available.  In addition, a limited number of instruments may be loaned to students.  For more information about the Mountain Music School, contact Sue Ella Boatright-Wells at (276) 523-7489 or sboatright@me.vccs.edu.

Governor's School will also be held on the campus of MECC this summer.  The annual three-week program will be offered from June 12 to June 30.  It is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors by letter of invitation.  Students selected for the program will have the opportunity to earn eight college credits while studying one of four popular subject areas including Drama Theory and Performance, Creating a Small Business and Advertising, Concepts and Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Web Page Design, Flash, and Fireworks.

Tuition is fully paid for those students eligible for the in-state rate.  Books, supplies, lunch, and bus transportation are also provided at no cost to participants.  For application information, contact Karen Carter at (276) 523-2400, extension 307 or kcarter@me.vccs.edu.  Applications are also available through each local school system's Gifted Coordinator, high school guidance counselors, or the MECC website at www.mecc.edu/programs/govsch/.