Esu for kids 2014 course descriptions 64 courses offered this year!

• Awesome Authors (ages 6-17)

Instructor: Jessica Covington

NEW!!! Want to be an author? Find out what makes your favorite stories memorable! You will use computers and your imagination to write and publish your own books to keep and share with family and friends!

• Create Your Own Comic Book (ages 9-17)

Instructor: Becca Perri

NEW!!! If you enjoy drawing, if you enjoy reading comic books, and if you enjoy using your imagination, we challenge you to take this course! If you choose to accept this challenge, by the end of this course, you will have created your very own, one of a kind comic book that you can proudly share your friends and family. As an added bonus, one day it may be worth millions if you choose to become a comic book creator just like Stan Lee!

• Disney Villain Role Play (ages 6-17)

Instructor: Kevin Simonds

NEW!!! Have you ever noticed that the Disney Villains seem to always lose at the end? Something has occurred that may just change their luck around. A series of very powerful magical objects have just fallen into the villains’ hands and they want to rule the Disney universe! Will the Villains succeed this time, and just how important are the Disney Princesses?

• Magic Treehouse Mysteries (ages 7-10)

Instructor: Samantha VanBuskirk

NEW!!! Have you ever seen dinosaurs after dark, a knight at dawn, or met a mummy in the morning? You’re about to! Join us as we dive into worlds of dinosaurs, knights, mummies, pirates, and more! As we read books from the bestselling children’s series, Magic Treehouse, we’ll go on adventures, play games, and have fun this summer!

• Star Wars Role Play (ages 8-17)

Instructor: Dave Libecap

10^th YEAR OFFERED! May the force be with you during this exciting roleplaying course designed for Star Wars fans! Be a Jedi or give in to the dark side! Players are encouraged to bring multisided dice.

• Video Game Designing (ages 10-17)

Instructor: Scott Hnasko

9^th YEAR OFFERED! Have you got what it takes to make a video game? You’ll learn step-by-step how to use Microsoft PowerPoint to make interactive, animated learning games. Play others’ games as they try yours! Requirement: a Flash drive

• Young Adult Literature Book Club (ages 10-16)

• All About the Animal Kingdom (ages 6-13)

Instructor: Kevin Simonds

NEW!!! Take a worldwide adventure learning all about the amazing animal kingdom. Everything will be covered from Aardvarks to Zebras. When you finish this class, you just might be an animal expert!

• Amazing Adventure Games II (ages 8-17)

Instructor: Scott Hnasko

NEW!!! Roll the dice and hang on tight! In this follow-up to last year’s popular course, you’ll play exciting adventure games that will challenge you to problem solve and work with your team to survive. In one game, you’ll build railway routes in a race across North America. In another game, you’re a dwarf mining for gold. There’s even more exciting games in store – adventure awaits you!

• ATV Racing: ESU Style (ages 7-11)

Instructor: Samantha VanBuskirk

NEW!!! If you love things that go, then this is your course. Instructed by a nationally acclaimed ATV racer, you’ll be ready to ride with the best this summer. Though we won’t be able to ride in class, we’ll talk about everything from safety to sponsors, and what makes these four-wheeled machines go fast. We’ll even design our own 3D racetracks and submit them for review by real track designers.

• Basic Video Editing (ages 10-17)

Instructor: Kathleen Kraemer

NEW!!! Do you like making videos? Using movie making software, you will learn to edit your videos, use transitions, adjust clip speed, add and synchronize music, and more. Watch your video dreams come to life! Requirement: a USB, digital camera or phone with video recording capability, and cords to connect your device to a computer

• Crafts Around the World (ages 6-10)

Instructor: Emily Sasz

NEW!!! Make a Big Ben clock out of toothpicks. Create a Russian Matroyshka doll. You’ll create Chinese lanterns, Mexican sombreros, Egyptian pyramids, and much, much more! Students will create art and learn about the countries as well.

• Elementary Field Hockey (ages 8-12)

Instructor: Becca Perri

OFFERED AGAIN! The game of field hockey is fun-filled, action-packed and a great confidence builder. You will learn skills, be active, make new friends and have a blast!

Requirement: Shin guards, cleats and/or sneakers, water bottle, mouth guard

• Handmade Jewelry (ages 6-17)

Instructor: Jessica Covington

2^nd YEAR OFFERED! Can you make rubber band bracelets? What about duct tape jewelry or tissue paper flower rings? Learn how to braid and twist to make your own stylish pieces of jewelry! You’ll design necklaces and rings and more!

NEW!!! This course will teach kids all there is to know about PowerPoint! They will learn basic skills and create at least two slideshows based on individual interests. Students will work collaboratively to create the ESU for Kids “Graduation Day” presentation as well!

• Warehouse 13 Roleplay (ages 8-17)

Instructor: Dave Libecap

NEW!!! Now that the X-Files have been shut down, you have been selected to be part of the Warehouse 13 team. Role play as an FBI Agent and search the world for interesting and mysterious artifacts from all of history, and bring them home to the Warehouse for safekeeping. Good luck! Players are encouraged to bring multisided dice.

10:20-11:20 a.m. courses (10 offered)

• Babysitting 101 (ages 10-13)

Instructor: Samantha VanBuskirk

NEW!!! Are you interested in babysitting? In this course we will learn all about being the best babysitter ever. From first aid and safety to being prepared with fun games to play with the kids you’re watching, we will have a blast playing games and getting ready to babysit.

• Become a Writer (ages 9-17)

Instructor: Becca Perri

NEW!!! In this course, you’ll get practice and help to become a stronger writer! We’ll create our own poems! We’ll write and share our own life stories! You will publish and illustrate your own book!

• Beginner’s Keyboarding (ages 8-17)

Instructor: Dave Libecap

This basic course will show you how you to play keyboard. You’ll start with keyboard harmony, fingering, scales, and rhythm. You’ll read music. You’ll play simple songs for friends!

• Collage Boxes (ages 9-13)

Instructor: Heide Molinaro

NEW!!! Young artists who enroll in this course will envision and create beautiful decorative boxes for friends and family. A skilled, professional art teacher will teach each student about decoupage and guide them to make their own individual works of fine art! You can display your collage boxes and beautify your home!

• Crayon Creations (ages 6-10)

Instructor: Emily Sasz

NEW!!! Students will love the amazing art they’ll create with crayons. Make tie-dye marble crayons, crayon bowls, spin art, lanterns, candles, just to name a few! Share them with your family and friends!

• Drawing the Animal Kingdom (ages 7-17)

Instructor: Kevin Simonds

NEW!!! Do you love drawing animals or want to learn how to draw animals? If you answered yes, this is the class for you! You will practice drawing animals from all around the world. From the plains of Africa to your own backyard, a fantastic assortment of animals awaits each young artist!

• Intro to German (ages 12-17)

Instructor: Kathleen Kraemer

NEW!!! Learning a new language can be fun and exciting. When you take this course, you will become a basic speaker of German! You’ll start with the German alphabet, basic pronunciation and phrases. You will learn how to give directions, talk about the weather, shop using German, and much more!

• Marvel Super Heroes Role Play (ages 8-17)

Instructor: Scott Hnasko

4^th YEAR OFFERED! Spider-Man or Hulk? Iron Man or Spider Woman? Storm or Wolverine? Which Marvel Super Hero will YOU be in this exciting role play course? The famous super hero movies come to life, and YOU decide what the heroes do!

• Math and Card Games (ages 6-17)

Instructor: Jessica Covington

NEW!!! Card games are a perfect way to keep your math skills sharp this summer! Learn how to Spit, Snap, Go Fish, and play variations of Solitaire that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Our math games will help you practice adding, subtracting, multiplying and more.

• Tennis 101 (ages 9-13)

NEW!!! This course is geared for kids who have never picked up a racket before! They will first learn the rules of the game in addition to the numerous tennis moves used to ace opponents. By the end of the course, kids will be able to play full tennis matches! Requirement: your own tennis racket

• Acting (ages 10-17)

Instructor: Scott Hnasko

14^th YEAR OFFERED! Learn the basic skills of acting! Perform pantomime and do improvisation. Best of all, you’ll take act in a play for parents and relatives!

• Animal Artistry (ages 9-13)

Instructor: Heide Molinaro

NEW!!! YOU can learn to draw animals while learning basic techniques that artists use. An experienced, professional art teacher will demonstrate how to bring animals to life on paper. Draw your favorite animals! Challenge yourself and explore your creative side!

• Beginner Photography (ages 10-17)

Instructor: Kathleen Kraemer

NEW!!! Do you like to take pictures of your friends and family, pets, or even while on vacation or a trip? By taking this class you will learn how to perfect your photography skills in categories such as landscape, people, animals, and even sports! At the end of the class you will even create your own portfolio. We will touch upon how to digitally edit photos. Requirement: a USB and digital point and shoot camera

• Cartoon Drawing 3 (ages 7-17)

Instructor: Kevin Simonds

This class is back by popular demand – now with even MORE cartoon drawing than ever before. You’ll draw Disney characters, Pac-Man characters, Transformers characters, and so much more.

• Computer Basics (ages 6-17)

Instructor: Jessica Covington

NEW!!! Do you want to use the computer more efficiently? You will learn how to make handouts and presentations and be able to type faster. This course is your chance to get your questions answered and get comfortable with computers!

• Eric Carle Book Fun (ages 6-10)

Instructor: Emily Sasz

NEW!!! Let’s read Eric Carle books and create masterpieces based on his famous stories! You’ll do activities based on Brown Bear, Brown Bear, The Grouchy Ladybug, The Mixed Up Chameleon, and many more!

• Jurassic Park Role Play (ages 8-17)

Instructor: Dave Libecap

2^nd YEAR OFFERED! Looking for a career of adventure and excitement? Like working with animals? Want to visit exotic locations? This job could be for you! Jurassic Park needs scientists, technicians, engineers, veterinarians, doctors, mathematicians, and workers in nearly every field. Apply now—don’t miss the opportunity of a lifetime! Players are encouraged to bring multisided dice.

• Let’s Get Girly (ages 6-12)

Instructor: Becca Perri

NEW!!! Let’s celebrate being girls! In this course, we’ll make our own lip gloss! We’ll craft our own purses! We’ll decorate our clothes and make our own nail polish! There’s lots more fun in store…so sign up now and Let’s Get Girly!

• Pinterest Crafts for Kids (ages 5-8)

Instructor: Samantha VanBuskirk

NEW!!! We’ve searched high and low and found the coolest, silliest, crafts out there! Join us as we create masterpieces to share with friends and family. You’ll decorate planters and create string art. We’ll be painting with our feet, drawing with glue, creating gigantic bubbles and more!

• Who Wants to Be An Author? (ages 7-12)
Instructor: Stacey Brescancine
NEW!!! Bring your imagination and start an adventure to become an author! Kids will be introduced to different forms of writing and create and bind their own books. Share your finished creations with family and friends!

12:40-1:40 p.m. courses (9 courses offered)

• Comic Book Heroes (ages 8-17)

Instructor: Scott Hnasko

3^rd YEAR OFFERED! Spider-Man! Superman! Batman! Wonder Woman! Learn a brief history of comic books and become an expert on famous comic book heroes! Each day will be an exploration of a new hero. We’ll talk about their villains and what makes the characters heroic and unique! Best of all, you’ll create your OWN hero and villains! Win prizes in our comic trivia contests!

• Creative Crafts (ages 6-12)
Instructor: Stacey Brescancine

NEW!!! This class provides kids opportunities to show their creativity and artistic capabilities! They will learn how to create various art projects including wood building, painting, drawing, and other hands-on crafts each day.

• Drawing Anything and Everything Part 2 (ages 7-17)

Instructor: Kevin Simonds

SEQUEL CLASS! Do you have a passion for drawing? This is the class for you. You get a little bit of everything in this one. Tap dancing penguins, Christmas Morning after unwrapping everything, different points of view, still life, art challenges, and a whole lot more will be included. Let’s draw!

• Draw Like a Professional Illustrator (ages 9-13)

Instructor: Heide Molinaro

NEW!!! Have you seen and enjoyed the work of illustrators like Eric Carle, Jack Ezra Keats, and Faith Ringgold? A professional art teacher will study their works with you and guide you to make your own illustrations in their styles! Experiment with different mediums and express yourself, all while discovering your own style.

• Lord of the Rings Role Play (ages 8-17)

Instructor: Dave Libecap

11^th YEAR OFFERED! Explore J.R.R. Tolkien’s magical world of Middle-Earth & its inhabitants! Create and roll your own character! Take part in a enchanted quest you’ll never forget! You’ll enjoy Lord of the Rings roleplay & Rings trivia! Players are encouraged to bring multisided dice.

• Mask Making (ages 6-10)

Instructor: Emily Sasz

NEW!!! Students who enroll in this course will learn how to construct different types of masks from different cultures, nature, and fantasy. You’ll make masks for the Day of the Dead, Amazons, bird, forest animals, storybook characters, and more!

• Reading Detectives (ages 6-12)

Instructor: Jessica Covington

NEW!!! YOU can be a better reader! Learn how to find the clues authors’ leave and enjoy some classic stories this summer! Help us accomplish our 100-book challenge! Play computer games, learn new vocabulary, and practice reading like a detective!

• Scientific Explorers 2 (ages 6-9)

Instructor: Becca Perri

NEW!!! This course is the exciting follow-up to last year’s popular course. It’s time to have fun with science! We’ll work together to make hypotheses and conduct fun science experiments. Explore and learn with us!

• Shakespeare and His Everlasting Influence (ages 14-17)

Instructor: Kathleen Kraemer

NEW!!! The Bard of Avon comes to ESU for Kids! Enroll in this course to read, discuss, and learn about Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth. You will perform scenes from these classic works!

• Skeleton Creek Reading (ages 9-13)

Instructor: Samantha VanBuskirk

NEW!!! Do you like spooky stories? How about spooky movies? If you answered yes to these questions, then this course is where you need to be this summer! We are going to read the first two books of best-selling author, Patrick Carman’s Skeleton Creek series. The books are part written word and part movie, which gives them both an extra dose of awesome and an extra dose of scary.

• After School Snacks (ages 6-12)

Instructor: Becca Perri

NEW!!! This course is for young, beginner cooks. You’ll make yummy treats like no bake cookies, key lime pie, strawberry shortcake and more! It’s a new delight each day! Your family and friends will love your creations!

• Arts ‘n Crafts (ages 6-12)

Instructor: Jessica Covington

NEW!!! Get creative and make a variety of artwork and crafts! In this course, you will paint, make bird feeders, sun catchers, and much more!

• Beginner Guitar (ages 8-17)

Instructor: Dave Libecap

12^th YEAR OFFERED! Have you ever wanted to learn guitar? This course starts with the basics – chords, scales, fingering, & tuning. By the end, you’ll learn how to play simple guitar songs! Requirement: Acoustic or electric guitar

• DC Super Villains Role Play (ages 8-17)

Instructor: Scott Hnasko

2^nd YEAR OFFERED! You read it correctly – you get to be a DC Super Villain in this thrilling role play game. Will you be Joker or Catwoman? Bane or Gorilla Grodd? Sinestro or Poison Ivy? Will YOU get away with your daring crimes? Roll the dice and find out…

• How to Be a Detective (ages 10-17)

Instructor: Kevin Simonds

NEW!!! Do you love getting hooked into a good mystery? Now is your chance to try and be a detective. You will learn the tips and tricks that detectives need to solve crimes. It’s time to follow the clues and find out who done it, where, and why?

• James Joyce! (ages 13-17)

Instructor: Kathleen Kraemer

NEW!!! Enroll in this course to read and analyze the works of famous author James Joyce! You’ll learn about the life and times of this celebrated author. You will read and discuss portions of Dubliners, Ulysses, and more!

• Newspaper Club (ages 9-12)

Instructor: Samantha VanBuskirk

NEW!!! Calling all reporters! Newspaper club is in session and we’ve got a deadline! During this course, we will take a look at some silly news stories before creating our own. By graduation day, we’ll have our very own printed newspaper to share. The best part is that YOU will write all the stories!

• Reader’s Theatre (ages 8-11)
Instructor: Stacey Brescancine

NEW!!! This course offers children opportunities to read and act out fun stories! We will use drama, costumes, props, and acting skills to bring books to life. This class will end with a special presentation for all to enjoy!

• Watercolor Exploration (ages 6-10)

Instructor: Emily Sasz

NEW!!! Students in this course will use a variety of techniques and strategies to create watercolor works of art. They’ll enjoy painting, using markers, tissue paper, coffee filters, shirts, shaving cream, and more!

3:00-4:00 p.m. courses (8 courses offered)

• Advanced Guitar (ages 10-17)

Instructor: Dave Libecap

NEW!!!! This course is recommended for students who have already taken beginner guitar lessons. You’ll learn how to play more intricate guitar songs! Delight and amaze your family! Requirement: Acoustic or electric guitar

• Baby Animal Secrets (ages 6-12)

Instructor: Jessica Covington

NEW!!! Did you know that octopus babies raise themselves? Or that elephant calves suck on their trunks like babies suck their thumbs? You will draw and write about animals and create a class PowerPoint of all the facts you discover. Come learn fascinating facts and unforgettable baby animal secrets!

• Chef-Tastic! (ages 10-17)

Instructor: Becca Perri

NEW!!! This course is for older, beginner cooks. In this course, you will learn to cook basic dishes and plan meals. Enjoy your delicious creations or share them with family and friends! You’ll also take pictures of your finished products to include in your own digital recipe book!

• Chess for All Ages and Abilities (ages 8-17)

Instructor: Scott Hnasko

15^th YEAR OFFERED! Sharpen your logic & broaden your mind! Whether you’ve played chess before or you’re just a beginner, Chess for All Ages covers chess basics and challenges experienced players. You’ll love the opportunity to play four-player chess matches! You’ll play in a chess tournament!

• Cupcake Art (ages 6-10)

Instructor: Emily Sasz

NEW!!! Art you can eat? You’ll find it here in cupcake art! Get ready to design and decorate cupcakes to look like flowers, aliens, and butterflies. How about cupcakes inspired by Dr. Seuss or a trip to the beach? You’ll make all these cupcake works of art and much more!

• John Green and Multimedia Influence (ages 13-17)

Instructor: Kathleen Kraemer

NEW!!! It’s time to discover and discuss Young Adult Fiction writer John Green! You’ll learn about the early life and career of this award-winning author. You will read and discuss portions of An Abundance of Katherines, Looking for Alaska, and others!

• Math Madness: Games Galore! (ages 8-10)

Instructor: Samantha VanBuskirk

NEW!!! Games Galore! is a fun way to stay on top of your math game this summer. We have fourteen different crazy games planned that all add up to one awesome summer! Some games are played with a partner while others involve the whole class working in teams in a wild race to the finish. Enjoy Muffin Tin Math, Card Maze, Math Sort Race and more!

• Phineas and Ferb Role Play (ages 6-17)

Instructor: Kevin Simonds

NEW!!! Phineas and Ferb have just come up with the greatest invention yet: A machine that will allow summer vacation to last forever! So what can possibly go wrong when altering the timeline? You must travel across time itself or it will be worse than the last day of summer vacation. Try picturing a world without a summer vacation!

• Scrapbooking Secrets (ages 8-16)