Latest news with #KidsCollege
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
IUN Kids College helps NWI students discover careers
For Kyra Shannon, the best part of Indiana University Northwest's Kids College is the bond she creates with students and fellow instructors. 'I like teaching,' said Shannon, a civic leadership instructor and ambassador. 'I like leadership, and I like getting kids in the mindset of (making change).' Kids College is a two-week summer camp for Northwest Indiana's middle school students. The camp simulates a college experience for children who would typically be first-generation college students or qualify for Indiana's 21st Century Scholars program. Students can participate in different career paths, including performing arts, technology and medical programs. Sarah Morris, director of IUN's Kids College, said about 65 students are participating in the camp this year, up from about 50 the year before. Throughout the state, Indiana University hosts six Kids Colleges at its satellite campuses. 'The students can choose a major, and they get to meet faculty, community partners and professionals,' Morris said. 'Then they get to learn what it's like in that major … and learn what different career paths that major could lead them to.' On Thursday, Best Buy's Geek Squad was at Kids College, helping students who are interested in technology careers. Community partners are important for Kids College, Morris said, because it can get participants more excited about their careers. Campers Kenyon Workman and Kenneth Suncin both learned about technology careers at this year's Kids College. This week, both Workman and Suncin have worked on coding, which they both said they're interested in. Both kids have liked coding more as Kids Camp has gone on. 'We're doing this (program) where we had to get a robot out of a maze,' Suncin said. 'After a while, I got focused on decorating (the characters).' This year was Workman's second year at Kids College, but it was Suncin's first. He joined because his sister had done the camp before, Suncin said. Aniyah Kelly is going into eighth grade, so this is her final year at Kids College. This year, Kelly participated in the performing arts program, but before, she'd done the medical track. Kelly is interested in a nursing career, which she said she learned at Kids College. 'I really want to work in a hospital,' Kelly said. Jaclyn Calvillo is a medical health careers program instructor at Kids College. Throughout the camp, Calvillo said students in the medical program learn about health problems that affect children in their age group. 'For instance, we look at teen suicide, counseling, those types of things,' Calvillo said. 'Is there enough access to health care or not? And what can we do to improve these numbers? How can we create a new system that might work better?' Calvillo said it's powerful to watch children grow throughout Kids Camp, and she's watched participants become more confident and come out of their shell. For Morris, it's heartwarming to watch students come back year after year and continue to grow. 'College isn't just about learning,' Morris said. 'I can imagine a lot of these students have a negative experience at their schools, unfortunately, which is so unfair to them. But, at Kids College, we get to provide them with a better learning experience.'
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Kids College registration and cancer counselor training
Indiana University Northwest will host Kids College, a free two-week, on-campus summer enrichment program from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9 through 20 at 3400 Broadway, Gary. With the theme 'My Story. My Voice,' the program is designed to inspire and empower middle school students—especially those from historically underrepresented and low-income backgrounds. Participants will choose one of six 'majors,' led by Northwest faculty, staff, students and local community partners: medicine; visual arts; performing arts; technology; civic leadership; or business. Capacity is limited to 70 students on a first-come, first-serve basis who meet the eligibility requirements: students receiving free/reduced lunch who are enrolling in the sixth, seventh or eighth grades at the start of the fall 2025 academic year. Registration deadline is Thursday. Register at For more information, contact the IU Northwest Kids College team at kciun@ or 219-980-7299. Franciscan Health Breast Care Center Crown Point will host Pink Ribbon Connection, a free peer counselor training for breast cancer survivors. The goal of the new program is to connect patients and survivors. Training will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday at Franciscan Health Breast Care Center Crown Point on the third floor of the Burrell Professional Center, 1205 S. Main St., Crown Point. Enter through Door D. A complimentary pizza and salad dinner with soft drinks will be served. Peer counselors offer emotional support and a source of comfort for anyone undergoing breast cancer treatment. Participants in the peer counseling program need not be Franciscan Health patients. To register and for more information, call 219-757-5741. The Gary Public Library will host a variety of upcoming programs for the community. MakerSpace sessions at the Main Library, 220 W. Fifth Ave., include: 3-D printing from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday and on May 21; Arts from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, and on May 19 and 21; Cricut from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and on May 22; Open Lab Noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and on May 23; Sewing 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday and on May 20 and 22; and Small circuits from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 20. Registration is required at 219-886-2484, Ext. 332. Check the library's website, for a list of exact dates or changes to the schedule. The public is invited to attend the final concert of the library's Sunday Jazz Concert Series from 3 to 5 p.m. on May 18 at the Main Library. Co-sponsored by the Greater Gary American Jazz Association, special guest will be the Thomas A F Matecki Band featuring Thomas Matecki, keyboard and flute; Di Kobe Berry, vibes; Ronald Dennis, drums; and Reginald Johnson, bass. Free Sunday Jazz Concerts are presented the third Sunday of each month, September through May. Entrance is on the north side only, free parking in the north parking lot. The library will be closed, no library service will be available. Seating is limited. The Woodson Branch, 501 S. Lake St., will host local author Ben Clement from 5 to 6 p.m. May 22. The longtime Gary resident will share one of his children's books in a live reading and a Q&A session. Call 219-938-3941 for more information. Valpo Shows will launch their newest event: The Memorial Day Market Craft and Vendor Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 24 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 25 at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso. More than 140 vendors will showcase their unique crafts and artisanal goods, from handmade treasures to one-of-a-kind finds. The event will include a dedicated children's activity corner, entertainment, food trucks and a HDTV giveaway, with the drawing to be held at 2 p.m. on the 25th. Winner need not be present to win. General admission is $5; seniors and U.S. veterans $3; and children younger than 12 are free. More information is with Mark Halliar at ValpoShows@ The annual Dunes Dash 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. on May 31 on the trails of the Indiana Dunes National Park at West Beach, 376 North County Line Road, Gary. An Indiana Dunes National Park pass will be required to enter the parking lot. A park pass may be purchased at the gate, in advance on the registration page, or in-person at the Indiana Dunes National Park Visitor Center, 1215 N. State Road 49, Porter. All funds raised will be used to support Save the Dunes mission to enhance and protect the biodiversity of our natural spaces through advocacy, conservation and community engagement. Race registration is now open at
