From exploring art and robotics to learning how to bake and what it takes to survive a “zombie apocalypse,” plenty of fun, interesting and hands-on learning opportunities await area youth who participate in the first Junior Mule Experience at the University of Central Missouri.

This is a summer program that is divided into two camps to accommodate area youth. The first session, May 29 through June 1, is for boys and girls in grades one through four. Children in grades five through seven will participate June 11-15. All classes take place between 1-5 p.m. daily.

Students must register in advance for the courses available for their grade level. The cost for all students who register prior to May 11 will be $79. The cost will be $89 for students who registered after this date.  

Student drop off for each camp will be 12:30-1 p.m. daily at Nahm Auditorium in the W.C. Morris Science Building, with pickup between 5-5:30 p.m. at the same location. Courses will be taught by a combination of UCM faculty, upper-level students and other area educators.

“We’ve received a lot of feedback from members of the Warrensburg community telling us they would like to see more summer camps,” said Kirsti Brunsvold, assistant director for Meetings and Conference Services.  “This is in response to demand.”

She pointed out all courses will take place at UCM to give students a remarkable experience on a college campus with a curriculum designed specifically for students in these specific age groups. The schedule has been arranged to provide afternoon opportunities so that students who attend local summer school programs will still be able to participate.                                    

Opportunities for children in grades one through four include an art course that gives them experience with a wide variety of materials, a cooking program that includes learning basic principles in working with dough and batter, a course about what goes into making a musical stage production, including an opportunity to be part of a mini production, as well as a class on basic methods of food production that also includes a visit to a greenhouse, the university farm and a working dairy farm.

Students in grades five through seven can learn more about different jobs and career opportunities that involve plants and animals, including hands-on activities and visits to area businesses that involve food production; learn about crisis planning while getting to role play the actions firefighters, law enforcement and other emergency responders would perform in a make-believe zombie apocalypse scenario; discover basic principles of coding as it relates to making things go; as well as learning more about basic chords and popular songs they can perform on the concert ukulele, no music experience required.

To learn more or to register, visit www.ucmo.edu/jrmule.