Kids College

Kids College is a summer learning experience offered to youth by Extension staff, volunteers, and community members. Our program is designed to provide engaging hands-on education for youth, ages 5-18. Kids College is a great way for youth to make new friends, learn new skills or spark a new interest!

Please take note of suggested age requirements when selecting classes. All classes will be held at the Hall County Extension Office meeting room (3180 W. Highway 34 in the College Park Building), unless otherwise noted.

To enroll your child in Kids College, complete the online registration form (scroll down, below class offerings). An invoice will be emailed to you once registration is complete. Please call the Extension office at 308-385-5088 if you have questions. We're looking forward to seeing your family this summer!

Refund Policy:

A class refund will be granted if a child is ill or if a class is cancelled due to low registrations. Class fees will be forfeited if you do not contact the Extension Office 72 hours in advance for reasons other than illness, due to instructors making supply purchases and decisions based on registration numbers. A Kids College registration is not complete until class payment is received.

Open to all ages. No registration fee, but you must register!

(Scroll down to the bottom of the Kids College class listing to find registration link.)

Get ready to go on an adventure with your family & friends with this activity! Similar to letterboxing (a fun hobby that has been around for 170 years), you’ll be given clues to different locations in our community to find hidden boxes. Find each box to get the prize – a stamp to add to your logbook! Logbooks will be provided for each participant.

With this fun activity, you’ll explore our community and enjoy time with family and friends. Find all the boxes and enter your group into a drawing for a gift basket from the Nebraska State Fair office! This activity is available from June 1-30, and the prize winners will be notified soon after.

This activity was created by the 4-H Community Changemaker Team and sponsored by Cornerstone Bank.

We’re excited to offer summer project kits again this year. They are perfect for busy families! Each kit provides the supplies needed for your kids to engage in learning and create some cool, new projects. Sign up today for your kits!

SORRY, THIS KIT IS SOLD OUT.

Ages: 5 & up; Cost: $7.00

Summertime is a perfect time to learn how to make cool silicone bead keychains. They are trendy and all the rage right now! The keychains are super easy-to-make and each kit contains enough supplies to make two. Use the registration link to reserve your kit. A limited supply is available.

Pick up June 3rd or soon after at the Extension Office.

Ages: 5 & up; Cost: $5.00

Before trains, cars, trucks, and airplanes existed, rivers were used for travel. They carried people and goods from one place to another. In the late 1700's and early 1800's, the introduction of steam-powered boats made travel much faster. Today steam-powered paddle boats are used as tourist attractions primarily along the Mississippi River. This kit will have everything you need to build two (2) paddle boats that can be used in a pool, bathtub, or even on a pond!

Ages: 5 & up; Cost: $5.00

Did you know pollinators play a very important role in our food supply system? Learn more about pollinators, the role they play, and how to help their habitats and food sources with this seed marble kit. Each kit contains materials to make 6 seed marbles, a unique and fun way to grow plants that pollinators will love. A limited supply is available, reserve your kit today!

Open to all ages.

Interested in gardening for a greater purpose? Join the Hall County Growing Together Nebraska team in growing, harvesting, and donating fresh produce to our neighbors in need. For more information, contact Ashlynn Nikodym, Extension Assistant, at 308-385-5088.

Date & Time: Monday, June 3, 9 am-12 pm

Ages: 8 & up; Cost: $17.00

Location: Hall County Extension Office

This is the perfect project for the beginning sewer. They will learn to sew a straight seam and how to sew on a button. Supplies needed are cotton fabric – 1/3 yard of focus fabric, 1/2 yard coordinating fabric, 2 buttons and thread to match. Instructor: Barb Hovie

Date & Time: Tuesday, June 4, 12:30-4:00 pm

Ages: 8 & up; Cost: $23.00

Location: Hall County Extension Office

Get ready to sew a unique tote while practicing your sewing skills! Students will choose a kit of their choice for this class (included in the class fee). This super-cute tote folds up into a neat envelope pouch that fits in a purse or pocket. Instructor: Barb Hovie

SORRY, THIS CLASS IS CANCELLED.

Date & Time: Tuesday, June 4, 4:30-5:30 pm

Ages: 5 & up; Cost: $5.00 per person

Location: Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center, 9325 Alda Road S, Wood River, NE

Join this class with your family to learn fun facts about birds and bugs! You’ll explore the outdoors at the Crane Trust Center through a scavenger hunt and create an art project to take home. Please dress for the weather and wear closed toe shoes for walking on nature trails. Instructor: Amy Sandeen, Crane Trust Center

Date & Time: Wednesday, June 5, 12:30-4:00 pm

Ages: 8 & up; Cost: $18.00

Location: Hall County Extension Office

Students will sew a pair of comfy shorts. Supplies needed are 1 1/4 yard of fabric and thread to match. Please do not bring stripes or plaid fabric. Instructor: Barb Hovie

SORRY, THIS CLASS IS CANCELLED.

Date & Time: Thursday, June 6, 10 am-2 pm

Ages: 5-7; Cost: $22.00

Location: Hall County Extension Office

Clover Kids – this one’s for you! In this class, you will learn about kitchen safety, table manners and cooking! Please let us know in your registration for this class if your child has any food allergies so that we can arrange accommodations. Instructor: Mariah Newmyer, Extension Educator

Date & Time: Friday, June 7, 8:30 am-12 pm

Ages: 12 & up; Cost: $22.00

Location: Hall County Extension Office

Students will add a one-of-a-kind design to an item of clothing or bag. Learn how to work with fusible interfacing, a fusible web applique will be sewn on the item. Please bring an item you would like to attach the applique to; a few ideas would be a shirt, a bag, or a jean jacket. Instructor: Barb Hovie

Date & Time: Friday, June 7, 1-3 pm

Ages: 10 & up; Cost: $7.00

Location: Hall County Extension Office

Come and learn about the art of paper crafting with an electronic cutting machine! You will use a Cricut to cut materials for a pre-determined 3D object. Students must be comfortable using a hot glue gun. Students will design, cut materials, and begin assembling their project. They will finish the project at home. Instructors: Corey and Megan Hatt

Date & Time: Monday, June 10, 4-6 pm

All Ages; Cost: $6.00 per person

Location: Pete’s Safari, 2070 S. Engleman Rd, Grand Island, NE
Join us for family fun at Pete’s Safari! Explore Pete’s Safari, see the new nursery, train rides, bounce house and more! Pre-registration and payment are required before the event at the Extension Office; this special pricing is only available for the scheduled date and time. Please note that this is not a drop off event. Host: D’Ette Scholtz, Extension Educator

Date & Time: Friday, June 14, 10 am-12 pm

Ages: 9 & up; Cost: $10.00

Location: Hall County Extension Office

Learn more about electronic cutting machines and making your own one-of-a-kind creative designs! Students will use the Cricut design software to create their own tea towel and t-shirt using technology and heat transfer vinyl. Please bring a plain cotton t-shirt (no design). Any color is acceptable. Instructors: Megan and Corey Hatt

Date & Time: Thursday, June 20, 11:30 am
Ages: 6 & up (must be accompanied by an adult); Cost: $10.00 per person
Location: Stuhr Museum, 3133 W US Hwy 34, Grand Island, NE

Enjoy a picnic at Stuhr Museum while learning more about history! This outing is for 4-Hers and a parent/guardian. Pack a picnic lunch and you’ll hear from Karen Hurst on how to find inspiration for 4-H projects in everyday life. When you’re done eating, explore Railroad Town or head to the Stuhr Building. The activities after lunch can be done at your own speed in whatever order you like (please note that 4-Hers must be accompanied by their adult as they explore). Instructor: Karen Hurst, Stuhr Museum

Date & Time: Friday, June 28, 1-2 pm

Ages: 8 & up; Cost: $7.00

Location: Hall County Extension Office

Take a step into the field of Entomology through a fun and exciting workshop with Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches! During this class youth will engage with live hissing cockroaches while using STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) to calculate the pulling power of these insects, in addition to being introduced or reviewing the scientific method. Instructor: Calvin DeVries, Extension Educator

What is 4-H? 4-H is the youth development program of Nebraska Extension. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults. All 4-H programs are consistent with placing strong emphasis on life skills, such as problem solving, responsibility, citizenship and leadership.

4-H is for youth who are ages 8 to 18 by December 31 of the previous year, with the Clover Kids program offered for youth ages 5-7. In 4-H, you can learn new skills like taking photographs, cooking a snack, caring for pets, building model rockets, growing flowers and vegetables, fishing, decorating your room and more. 4-H has more than 150 learn-by-doing projects. 4-H projects are challenging, but practical and a fun way to learn.

You’ll enjoy plenty of fun activities as a Hall County 4-H member. Special events like 4-H Project Workshops, Bicycle Road-E-O, Ice Cream Roll and the Hall County Fair are fun for your whole family. Contact the Extension Office at 308-385-5088 or visit our website at https://hall.unl.edu/join-hall-county-4-h/ for more information. New 4-H members may enroll anytime during the year; however, in order to participate at the Hall County Fair, enrollment must be completed by June 15th. We ask returning 4-H members to re-enroll by March 15th.

“4-H has been a great experience for my family. Because of it, I have learned what I want to do as a career.” - 4-H member

Email: hall-county@unl.edu
Website: hall.unl.edu
Phone: 308-385-5088
Facebook: facebook.com/HallCounty4HNebraska
Twitter: @4HHoopla