Education meets fun this summer at ECC Kids' College

Registration is open for Kids' College, a summer enrichment day camp offering a variety of classes of every interest to youth ages 5 to 15.

The program runs Mondays through Thursdays, through July 27, on the Elgin Community College campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

The program embraces a noncompetitive, nourishing college learning environment and helps children stimulate their minds and satisfy their passion for art, entertainment, science and technology.

Parents should register their children as soon as possible, as space is limited. All classes are taught by experienced instructors. Materials are provided for the classes, unless otherwise noted in the Kids' College brochure.

Some examples of Kids' College classes include:

• Multicultural Cooking: In this class, students, ages 7-10, create appetizers, entrees and desserts from around the world. Join Chef Kari in this four-day class creating salsas, homemade pizzas, pasta, noodle dishes, and more. The class runs 9 a.m. to noon July 10-13. Cost is $179.

• Rockin' Rockets: From the earliest flying machines to the first rocket flights, this hands-on program for children will allow them to build many different flying devices, see how Newton's Laws of motion help explain how things move and how rockets fly and show them how amazing the Milky Way is. The class for age 9 to 12 will be 1 to 4 p.m. July 10-13. Cost is $195.

• Anime Art and Culture: If you know Mario, Hello Kitty, Pikachu, Naruto, and Dragon Ball Z, then you should join this class. Students will explore Japanese contemporary drawing styles to create anime characters of their own vision and design. Starting with basic drawing techniques, students will learn about and experience Japanese animation and create their very own manga by using simple geometric forms to create cartoon characters in the popular Japanese anime style. Students will gain an understanding of proportions and how to draw facial expressions to depict emotions. The class will be offered in two sessions from 1 to 4 p.m. on July 10-13 for age 5 to 8 or July 17-20 for age 12-15. Cost for either session is $159.

• Geology Camp/Fossils: Rocks and fossils tell a story and provide valuable records of the plant and animal life and environmental conditions from million, even billions of years ago. Learn about fossils especially the Illinois state fossil. Explore the ECC campus to identify some of the rocks in landscaping and even in the ground. Create your own mold and cast fossils. The class for age 12 to 15 will be offered in two sessions: from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. July 17-20. Cost for either session is $169.

• Junior Sous Chef 3: This class is for the experienced junior chef. Perhaps you have already taken Chef Doug's classes. Perhaps you started helping in the kitchen at an early age, and you are ready to take on more challenges and techniques. Chef Doug will work with this class to advance their knowledge of kitchen skills and materials. Bring an apron, and wear closed toe shoes. The class for age 8 to 15 will be offered in two sessions, both from 1 to 4 p.m. July 17-20. Cost for either session is $179.

• Deep Space Art: Students age 7-10 can explore the sky, planets, and galaxies. Calling all scientists and future astronauts! Come join them to study the great beyond, starting with the aurora borealis. Then board onto your very own "rocket ship" to study amid the stars. Students will be exploring 2-D and 3-D art making using chalk pastels, papier-mâché, and painting. The class will be 9 a.m. to noon July 17-20. Cost is $159.

• American Sign Language: Did you know that you can use your fingers to "say" the alphabet and spell words, or use your hands to speak to other people? Your sign language vocabulary will grow quickly as you learn the signs for colors, greetings, counting, and more.

American Sign Language is the fourth most-used language in the United States. Have fun learning a new language through games, songs, and stories. The class for ages 8 to 12 will be 9 a.m. to noon July 17-20. Cost is $139.

• The Word Artist: Combine your love of writing with your creative interests. This class will have you exploring all sorts of poetry devices to create your own personal expressions. In addition to writing, you will create your own handmade book bound with paper that you design from scratch and embellish with your own verses. Two sessions will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. July 24-27. Cost for either session is $159.

• Cooking Basics: Students age 9 to 14 can join Chef Kari and improve kitchen knowledge and learn new culinary skills. In this class, you will learn about kitchen safety, learn how to enjoy all kinds of colorful and tasty food, make homemade yeast bread and cinnamon rolls, create pies and more. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring an apron. Two sessions will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. July 24-27. Cost for either session is $179.

• Amigos Spanish: Learning Spanish is as easy as "uno, dos, tres!" Students ages 5 to 10 will learn numbers, colors, shapes, greetings, days of the week, and more. The class will be 9 a.m. to noon July 24-27. Cost is $149.

For more information, contact Karin Quist at (847) 214-7123 or visit elgin.edu/kidscollege.