Two Greene County organizations have teamed up to provide additional educational opportunities for school-age kids.

Greene County ISU Extension and Greene County School District are hosting Summer Day Camps throughout June. There are eight different programs geared toward specific age groups, ranging from grades 1st-12th grades. The programs begin with “Fizz, Bubble, Goo” on June 8th for grades 1st-3rd and ends with a program for 4th-12th grades on June 30th with “Invent STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).” Other programs include healthy food choices, cooking with barbecue items, leadership activities, a spa day, robotics, and growing plants and flowers.

Extension Director Lori Mannel says space is limited and they are now taking a waiting list for some of the programs and adds she isn’t surprised that some programs are filled.

“We’re really not surprised. We’ve done a few day camps in the past, but this year man we’ve exploded and we’re doing eight day camps. This is right before (the Greene County) fair. So our youth program staff are very busy already, but we’re really looking forward to a fun filled month of June.”    

The Greene County School District is helping to fund these programs with federal COVID-19 relief money. Superintendent Tim Christensen says while the school district focuses its summer school on remediation, whereas ISU Extension provides educational enrichment programs. 

“If we can get students interested and excited in different topics, then encourage them to want to learn about, whether it be STEM or what it may be about. So this year, we’re actually looking at those enrichment camps just for one day. But we’re actually putting a plan together with them for the next two years, we’re hoping to have a STEM Fest in the spring of the year for the next two years.”       

Each of the programs will take place at Greene County High School. Contact the Greene County Extension office in Jefferson to sign up for any of the free Summer Day Camp programs.