By Kari Lucin, staff writer

About 10 kids in fourth through sixth grade will be heading for college next week as part of Kids’ College, an enrichment program offered by Albert Lea Community Education and Riverland Community College.

The program allows kids to experience the classroom at a college level and have an educational summer adventure. They take two classes &045; theater camp and cartooning/animation &045; after a brief camp gathering at 8:30 a.m.

The classes last 90 minutes each and are designed to stimulate, encourage creativity, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They seek to bring together enthusiastic learners in a fun and educational environment.

&8220;It’s a project that we have done for three years now in Austin, and we’re trying to expand it to the other campus,&8221; said Peter Scheffert, Riverland Dean of Management Education Programs. &8220;I had a smaller sign-up in Albert Lea than I’d hoped for, but we’re still running it.&8221;

Just 10 kids signed up in Albert Lea, compared to the 50 in Austin. The small sign-up constrained the class offerings to the two most popular classes instead of the eight choices offered in Austin that included math, art and science.

Normally kids rate their top four choices for classes and event organizers try to balance out the classes so that kids get into the two classes they want most.

The weeklong program costs $75, though scholarships are available based on financial need following the same guidelines as the school lunch program.

It isn’t too late to sign up for Kids’ College. Organizers will still accept registrations Monday morning just before classes begin.

For more information about Riverland Community College Kids’ College contact Scheffert at

433-0614 or 800-247-5039.