Kids' College
One of the creative ideas that came out of the first SDCEC planning meeting was the creation of a Kids’ College. Originally targeting Pre-K – grade 2 children, the ultimate objective was to instill in young children an early desire to attend college, then to move those kids up the educational ladder from Pre-K through grade 16 and on to meaningful careers. The plan called for each of the seven institutions of higher education (Cedar Valley College, Dallas Baptist University, El Centro College, Mountain View College, Northwood University, Paul Quinn College, and the University of North Texas Dallas Campus) to sponsor an event at their institution on the first Saturday of each month during the school year (September through May). The activities should be both fun and thought-provoking. The culminating event for those attending Kids’ College would be Kids’ Camp during two weeks in the summer at one of the campuses.
Final plans for the first Kids’ College targeted children in grades 1-4 who were enrolled in the independent school districts of Cedar Hill, Dallas (southern sector), DeSoto, Duncanville, and Lancaster. Each ISD would recommend 10 children of diverse backgrounds, making sure that each of the four grades was represented. The focus would be on leadership and the curriculum would focus on critical thinking and problem solving. The kick-off date was February 2005. First Kids’ Camp would be held at Mountain View College.
With a year’s experience, Kids’ College got off to an earlier start and held programs November 2005 through May 2006, and ended with a great Kids’ Camp at Cedar Valley College in June 2006.
Kids’ College 2006-07 began in October at Cedar Valley and ended with Kids’ Camp at the International Museum of Cultures in Duncanville.
At the February 2007 SDCEC meeting, the primary discussion focused on the vision for going forward. The following questions were examined:
- What would be the signature (specific) activity the Consortium would focus its resources and energy on accomplishing?
- What would set us apart, make us stand out, and make an impact in the community?
After much discussion, the members present decided that Kids’ College best answered both questions and felt that it could be expanded into a much broader program over time.
Click here to download the Kids' College Brochure.
