Those looking for summer classes and activities atWest Virginia Universityneed look no further than theSummer at WVU Web site.
The site (http://summeractivities.wvu.edu) was created for students, parents and community members to easily find summer offerings at the University. It provides links for classes, camps, 4-H, extension programs and other opportunities. Information about registration deadlines and costs is a mere mouse-click away.
We hope that many young people and the general public will enjoy some of the camps and special activities at WVU ,said Cathy Orndorff, director of Web communications at WVU .Any contact with WVU or a chance to visit in the summer is a way for K-12 students to get a taste of the University and its many activities.
Classes offered range from traditional to online courses, but also include internships and independent study programs.Adventure WV, a national award-winning outdoor orientation program for first-year students, offers opportunities to learn about classmates, WVU and West Virginia. Participants can earn two to three course credits, which count as an alternative for University 101.
Additional classes, like ones provided by theCommunity Arts Programin WVU s College of Creative Arts, are open to children and adults. This summer marks the largest number of offerings the Community Arts Program has ever had, with classes in music, dance and theater, among other areas. Registration runs from 10 a.m.-noon through June 6 in Room 401A of the Creative Arts Center on WVU s Evansdale Campus.
Another option for children and adults is theLifetime Activities Program. This community-based, service-oriented program is operated by WVU s School of Physical Educationand promotes fitness and activity. Classes are offered in aquatics, martial arts, dance, fitness and wellness and more.
Maintaining physical activity, particularly among youth, can also be achieved by participating in various summer camps at WVU . The Universitys summer activities Web site lists sports camps for young athletes,Mountaineer Adventure Day Campat theStudent Recreation Centerfor children ages 8-12 andCamp Choosyat theWest Virginia Motor Development Centerfor kids ages 6-11.
Camp Choosy focuses on healthy fun, including swimming, games, nutrition, crafts and many other activities. Parent volunteers are welcome. The camp runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 16-Aug. 15.
Other University summer activities include county and state 4-H camps andEnergy Express at WVU , a six-week summer program promoting the school success of children living in rural and low-income communities across West Virginia. Energy Express promotes developing strong partnerships involving parents, schools, communities and state agencies and organizations.
There seems to be an activity or camp for everyone, so if you are trying to keep your child or teenager busy for the summer, as well as to help them grow educationally, parents should take a few minutes to browse this site,Orndorff said.
Camp and summer activities are often the turning points for many children as they hit maturation points beyond the regular classroom in learning to be independent from parents, learning to get along with peers and at the same time acquiring new skills,she added.
Parents can also use the WVU summer activities Web site to set up campus visits or to learn more about theMountaineer Parents Club Summer Send-offs. Send-off events provide members an opportunity to meet and network with other WVU students, families and alumni.
WVU departments or colleges interested in submitting a University activity should e-mail Web_Services@mail.wvu.edu or call 304-293-5305.