Ozarka College recently hosted its annual Kids College from July 7-10, welcoming students entering first through sixth grade. This was the first year the event took place at the Mountain View campus, and it proved to be a great success. The 2025 theme, "Habitats, " gave students a fun and educational opportunity to explore a variety of ecosystems through hands-on learning and creative activities.

Throughout the week, students participated in daily STEM activities, explored the characteristics of different animals, created unique art projects, played daily trivia, and ended the week with a game of Wiffle Ball. Hands-on learning was emphasized, with students taking home several memorable projects, including slime, snake keychains, a polar bear blubber experiment, and personalized college ID badges. Each participant also received a swag bag with a themed t-shirt.

Kids College is designed to expand students' knowledge and enhance learning through classroom lessons and hands-on activities. The program enabled students to become familiar with the Ozarka College campus in Mountain View, promoted Ozarka's accessibility, and underscored the importance of a college education in today's world. We are incredibly proud of this year's program and the excitement it brought to our young learners.

"This year's Kids College at our Mountain View campus was more than just a fun and educational experience it was an opportunity to connect with families and strengthen our community ties," said Jill Sandlin, Ozarka College director of education. "We developed lasting relationships, gained a better understanding of our area's needs, and were reminded of the powerful impact early learning can have. I'm very proud of what we achieved and look forward to what's next."

We are grateful to the following individuals and organizations who made this event possible: Skyla Moyer and Jill Sandlin; teachers, Ozarka Technology Department; Dan Lindsey for creating the ID badges; Katie Norris for capturing each moment; the Ozarka maintenance team; River City Productions for the t-shirts; and The Wing Shack for providing lunch every day.

If you are interested in volunteering, supporting Kids College, or would like to receive more information about next year's event, please get in touch with Jill Sandlin at 870.368.2037 or education@ozarka.edu.