Cal U's annual Summer Educational Enrichment for Kids program brings children together for 'Out of This World' experience.
Katie Boidock, 11 (left) and Vanessa Bruner, 11, build a "space station" out of hoops during a group competition at SEEK.
They bonded over Space Treats.
Kylie Webster and Mia Skobel weren’t buddies on the first day of SEEK — Cal U’s annual Summer Educational Enrichment for Kids, held this year July 9-13 and July 23-27, with an “Out of this World” theme.
But they are now.
“We met during Space Treats while making gelatin,” said Mia, who will be a third-grader at Hatfield Elementary School, in the Laurel Highlands School District.
“Now we’re hanging out.”
Kylie, who will begin fourth grade at Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School, has enjoyed her first time at SEEK.
“Space Treats and Water World are my favorite,” she said. “This is a lot of fun, and for sure I’m coming back next year.”
Kathy Gavazzi, associate registrar and director of Summer College and Winter Session at Cal U, brought a crew of kids to SEEK.
Her nephew, Cam Karlosky, has come to SEEK the past three years from Winfield, Md., where he will be a fifth-grader.
“I like the different themes they have each year, and all of the activities are really cool,” he said. “I don’t really have a favorite activity because everything is really good and you learn a lot but it’s fun.”
Kellan Gavazzi came from North Carolina with his sister Khloey to attend SEEK with Kathy Gavazzi’s granddaughter Addyson Smith.
A proud youth wrestler during the school year, Kellan will be a second-grader at Anderson Primary School this fall.
“I like this — we are always busy doing things and learning stuff,” he said.
SEEK began in 2000 in response to parents’ desire for a quality educational day camp for their children in hopes of reducing the effects of the dreaded “summer slide.”
“At the end of each SEEK week, I can’t help but smile,” said Jodie Bonidie, Cal U’s academic events coordinator.
“As the children leave, I listen to all the chatter as they share what they learned with their parents and grandparents, as they explain and show them their completed art projects, and as they enthusiastically state that they can’t wait for next year’s camp.
“That’s when you know you made a difference.”
Register for week two of SEEK
Registration is open for the second session of SEEK for children entering grades 1-8.
Classes will be held July 23-27. Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. daily. Cost is $135 per child for a full-week, full-day program, or $90 per child for a full-week, half-day (morning or afternoon) program.
For information and to register, visit calu.edu/community/outreach/seek.