Workforce Solutions & Continuing Education

HCC adds new Discovery Academy to summer youth programs

Hagerstown Community College is expanding its summer youth programming to include a new career exploration program, Discovery Academy, that will be offered in addition to the long-standing College for Kids program.

Discovery Academy is for students entering grades nine through 12, and offers career subject options in medicine, engineering, technology, art, and communications. College for Kids is offered for students entering grades two through eight and includes subjects such as graphic design, crafting, science, technology, engineering, digital art, music theatre, photography, and many others. Both programs begin June 20 and registration opens February 15, 2023.

More than 90 week-long youth programs will be offered, including 33 new options for College for Kids and 13 new options within the Discovery Academy. Programs are led by qualified instructors in small class settings with an emphasis on hands-on, interactive learning experience.

The Discovery Academy will feature an application-based program, Discover Medicine, in partnership with Meritus Health and AHEC West. Students will be introduced to careers in the medical field and receive hands-on experience in suturing. Areas including human anatomy and physiology, dentistry, and emergency medicine will be explored. The program includes field trips to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland and the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry.

The Discovery Academy will also include programs such as Podcasting and Communications, The Inside Scoop: Intro to Journalism, The Art of Filmmaking, led by award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter, Don Thompson.

Youth programs start June 20 and continue through the week of August 4, with a condensed program the week of July 5. Courses meet Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individual program costs vary according to section and materials needed, and an early bird discount is available through March 31.

Thanks to the generosity of JLG, Inc. and AHEC West’s ECHO, a limited number of scholarships are available for various College for Kids camps. To apply for a camp scholarship, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/docs/youth-programming-scholarship-application.

The youth programming schedule is available online at www.hagerstowncc.edu/youth-programming. For more information, email cfk@hagrstowncc.edu, or to register, call 240-500-2236.

(February 2, 2023)