College for Kids is a six-week summer enrichment program held at Penn State Behrend in Erie, Pennsylvania, each summer. It is designed to help students learn, grow, and develop critical skills over the summer months when school is not in session. Each week, students between the ages of 6 and 14 may choose up to two courses during College for Kids. Students must be at least six years old at the start of the program in order to participate in courses. Each summer, we offer nearly 130 different sessions. Sessions are not guaranteed and may vary depending on the student’s age, instructor availability, and course interest.
College for Kids Program Information
This year, our College for Kids program will begin on Monday, June 9, and will conclude on Friday, July 25. There will not be any CFK courses the week of June 30 due to the Fourth of July holiday. Sessions run Monday through Friday each week. Morning sessions are offered from 9:00 a.m. to noon; afternoon sessions run from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. All-day participants will have a supervised lunch hour between noon and 1:00 p.m. each day. Students are required to bring a brown bag lunch to camp all day. There will be no early or after childcare options this summer. We apologize in advance for any issues this may cause.
.Feel free to check out the 2025 course offerings via the "View Class Descriptions" button below! A button will appear next to the class descriptions for the CampDoc program on Friday, April 25, at 10:00 a.m. for families to begin creating their profiles for the College for Kids registration.
Then, on Tuesday, April 29, at 5:00 p.m., the courses will become available via CampDoc, allowing participants to begin registering for classes. Use the "College for Kids Registration" button when it appears to access CampDoc, create your registration profile, and log back in and register for courses.
VIEW CLASS DESCRIPTIONS COLLEGE FOR KIDS REGISTRATION
Join Our Mailing List
To stay up to date on each step in the College for Kids process, you can join our electronic mailing list. Simply email us at [email protected] to join. Within your email, please include your first and last name and email address, and indicate that you would like to join our College for Kids mailing list. Previous subscribers and attendees are already enrolled in the system. As a courtesy, we will respond (generally within one week) to notify you that we have added you to our servers. Our system will then notify you when the class descriptions are posted or when the registration link becomes available.
For questions pertaining to the program, please contact Jeffery Barber, College for Kids coordinator, at [email protected]. Please note that all correspondence for College for Kids will be electronic at this time.
Here's your guide to Penn State Behrend's College for Kids program. Jump to any section below to learn more about a topic.
- Registration
- Payment Options
- Cancellation Policy
- Registration Transfers (Switching Classes)
- Important Tax Information
- Program Location
- Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures
- Authorized Adults & Youth Arrivals and Departures
- Class Schedule
- Code of Conduct/Electronic Device Policy
- Lunch and Snack Times
- About the Instructors
- Medication Policy
.Registration
This summer, College for Kids joins the entire Penn State system in centralizing all program and event registration. Our program, along with others across the Behrend campus and the University, has transitioned to using the CampDoc system. CampDoc allows users to create a profile, create individual accounts for multiple children under one profile, and register for programs and events across the entire Penn State system.
When registering for College for Kids courses, please make sure you are registering for sessions at the Behrend campus. Also, if scheduling for multiple classes, you can check to make sure there is no overlap via the course title. Each class title will inform the registrant what week the course is taking place, as well as if it is a morning or afternoon session.
All registrations for College for Kids sessions must be processed through the CampDoc system. Youth Education Outreach and the College for Kids program are unable to process any registrations via paper, email, or phone calls.
For questions regarding the CampDoc system, including setting up your profile, registering for classes via the system, or other issues while using CampDoc, please contact DocNetwork Support via the CampDoc site. Penn State Behrend and Youth Education Outreach are unable to troubleshoot any issues or problems directly related to using CampDoc.
.Payment Options
All registrations for College for Kids courses must be processed through the CampDoc system via the registration link. CampDoc accepts all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) as well as ACH payments with checking or savings account information. No payments will be accepted outside of the CampDoc system for College for Kids registrations.
.Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be processed through the Youth Education Outreach office and require our staff to contact CampDoc support. If you wish to cancel a session, please contact us via email at [email protected]. In your email, provide your name, the name(s) of participant(s), and a list of any courses you would like to cancel. A member of the College for Kids staff will process your request and inform you that a cancellation has been sent to CampDoc. CampDoc will then refund your original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after the cancellation has been received and processed on their end.
A $25 cancellation fee will be applied to each session that is cancelled if the session is cancelled while the registration is still open. If a class is cancelled after the registration window closes, no refund will be issued.
Registrations for classes held during Week 1, 2, and 3 of College for Kids close on May 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. For courses during Week 4, 5, or 6, registration will close on June 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
CampDoc allows individuals to purchase a protection plan during the registration process, which covers reimbursements for cancellations due to sickness, injury, or other life events. This policy is not affiliated with Youth Education Outreach, College for Kids, or Penn State. For more information or questions regarding this coverage, or to file a claim, please contact the DocNetwork Support system via the CampDoc site.
.Registration Transfers (Switching Classes)
If a participant would like to transfer from one course to another during their College for Kids visit, please contact us via email at [email protected]. Transferring from one course to another is not guaranteed and is handled similarly to a cancellation. To transfer classes, a cancellation on your original course would occur, and then the remaining balance would be applied to your new course. Like cancellations, a $25 fee would apply to any transfers made while registration is active. Once registration closes on a course, transfers will no longer be accepted.
.Important Tax Information
Please keep your College for Kids registration receipt(s) if you plan to claim these expenses as childcare on your federal income tax return. College for Kids and the Youth Education Office do not save or mail registration forms for tax-reporting purposes. Our federal tax ID number is 24-6000376.
.Program Location
College for Kids is held on the campus of Penn State Behrend. All classes originate on campus unless otherwise noted in the individual class descriptions. Students are supervised at all times. Please note that this summer, students will be traveling to several classrooms and labs across campus. We ask that late drop-offs and early pick-ups be kept to a minimum, as some classes may be twenty or more minutes away from the registration site. Delays may occur when retrieving your child(ren) or getting them to class outside the designated registration windows each day. Any specific issues with dropping off late or picking up early due to class locations will be communicated with the adults at the time of notification.
.Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedure
- Drop-off and pick-up takes place at a central location within the Fasenmyer Building, part of the Science Complex (unless noted in the individual class descriptions). Please follow College Drive to the end and turn left. You will park in the Prischak lot while you escort your child during both drop-off and pick-up.
- Individual classes leave from and return to this central location.
- Students should be dropped off each day between 8:40 and 8:55 a.m. for morning sessions. Afternoon drop-offs will occur from 12:45 to 12:55 p.m.
- Morning-only participants should be picked up from College for Kids between noon and 12:10 p.m. each day. All-day or afternoon participants will be picked up between 4:00 and 4:15 p.m. daily.
- Early pickups and late drop-offs for all-day participants should occur within the windows above for retrieving or bringing students to College for Kids. Morning-only and afternoon-only participants should avoid early pickups and late drop-offs.
- Classes utilize many areas on the Penn State Behrend campus, including outside picnic areas and hiking trails.
- Students may be dropped off no more than 15 minutes before the start of class and should be picked up immediately at the end of class.
- Students who are enrolled in both a morning and afternoon class may stay for lunch and be picked up immediately at the end of their afternoon class.
- Any student being dropped off or picked up during class time should call the College for Kids Office at 814-898-6871 to make arrangements.
- Penn State Behrend provides a secure drop-off and pick-up area for your child's safety.
- Parents are required to escort their child/children during both drop-off and pick-up.
- Authorized adults will be required to show photo ID at time of pick-up—NO EXCEPTIONS.
- In case of inclement weather, please provide appropriate rain gear for our travels to campus classrooms.
.Authorized Adults & Youth Arrivals and Departures
Within CampDoc registration, users may authorize up to four adults to handle participant drop-off and pick-up. When dropping off a student in the morning, an authorized adult must accompany the child into the building and sign them in for the day. At that time, the adult must indicate who will be picking up the student. While ID is not routinely checked at drop-off, staff may request identification if there is any uncertainty about the adult’s authorization.
When picking up a student, adults designated to do so must present a valid form of identification. Forms of ID accepted include state driver’s licenses, passports, or Penn State employee IDs. Students will not, under any circumstances, be released to an individual who is unable to present a valid form of identification. Please inform any adult who will be picking up your child(ren) from this program that they must bring a form of identification to College for Kids each day.
CampDoc also has an option for parents with participants over the age of 12 to be released without an adult present. Youth Education Outreach and the College for Kids program do not support this option. It is a CampDoc feature, and we are unable to remove it from the registration form for our individual programs. Should a parent or guardian choose this option during the registration process, a member of Youth Education Outreach or the College for Kids staff will contact the family.
Every child attending College for Kids must have an authorized adult present at drop-off and pick-up each day. Additionally, that adult must present a valid form of identification at pick-up for the participant to be released. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion that the CampDoc option, which allows students over 12 to arrive or depart without an adult present, may cause. Thank you for understanding and allowing us to create a safe and exciting environment for your child(ren) to participate in this summer.
.Class Schedules
One-week classes are scheduled Monday through Friday. Morning classes operate from 9:00 a.m. to noon, afternoon classes from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., and all-day classes from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
.Code of Conduct/Electronic Device Policy
The Penn State Behrend College for Kids staff looks forward to providing your child with a fun, educational, memorable, and safe summer camp experience. Each camper has a responsibility to act in a way that assures a positive experience for all. All campers are required to follow the following guidelines.
Behavior Guidelines
- Campers shall be responsible for their words and actions.
- Campers shall be respectful of others.
- Campers shall follow directions from staff members.
Prohibited Behaviors
- Endangering the health and safety of themselves, other campers, staff, or volunteers.
- Stealing, damaging, or failing to care for University or personal property.
- Continual disruption of the program.
- Refusal to follow the behavior guidelines.
- Inappropriate physical contact such as hitting, tripping, pushing, or biting.
- Using profanity or inappropriate language, or displaying pornography, clothing, or other personal items with offensive content.
- Bullying or acts of aggression or violence.
- Possession or use of illegal substances, tobacco, or alcohol.
- Possession of weapons—any object that could cause harm or place another person in fear for their safety may be considered a weapon.
Steps Taken for Failure to Follow These Behavior Guidelines
- College for Kids staff will redirect the camper to a more appropriate behavior in line with the behavior guidelines.
- If the behavior persists, staff will discuss the problem with a parent or guardian.
- If the problem persists, the camper may be suspended or dismissed from camp, and the parent or guardian will be notified to pick up the child.
- Physical or verbal abuse to others will not be tolerated or if a camper's behavior at any time threatens the immediate safety of him/her, other campers, or staff, the parent/guardian will be notified and expected to pick-up the child immediately.
Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in the removal from the program and/or additional fees. There will be no refunds given for campers who are removed from the program due to violations of the Code of Conduct.
Please review the code of conduct with your child and ensure they understand and agree to follow these guidelines.
Electronic Devices
Cellphones are not permitted to be used during any College for Kids sessions at this time. If a device is brought to camp and is lost, broken, damaged or stolen, Penn State Behrend and the College for Kids program are not responsible or liable for the device. Failure to comply with our no electronic policy may result in the student being sent home early or removed from the program without refund.
Students who require the use of a device due to medical conditions, such as diabetes, will be permitted to bring an electronic device with an appropriate medical excuse. A medical excuse allows the student to use an electronic device for medical reasons only. Students with medical excuses will be held to the same standards and sent home early or removed without refund if they use their device for any other reason.
We apologize for any inconvenience or issues the new cellphone policy may cause and thank you for supporting our decision at this time.
.Lunch and Snack Times
- Breaks: Each class has a 10-minute break during each class session. While snacks are not provided by the program, students may bring a drink and snack or purchase items at our snack cart upon arrival. Water bottles are always permitted and encouraged.
- Lunch Break (Noon–1:00 p.m.): If your child is attending camp all day, the program will supervise the lunch hour at no additional charge. PLEASE NOTE THAT LUNCH IS NOT PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM. Children attending camp all day MUST bring a brown-bag lunch.
- Food Allergies: Please be sure to note any food allergies your child may have on the Medical Release form required at time of registration and please notify College for Kids staff of food allergies upon arrival to class.
.About the Instructors
Penn State Behrend and College for Kids are proud of its roster of instructors that includes Penn State Behrend faculty and staff, experienced community teachers, and local professionals such as bakers, artists, meteorologists, and more.
Instructors are selected carefully, based on a rigorous course proposal system, and offer a diverse class selection in a safe learning environment. This ensures an ability to enhance a child’s education by challenging their imagination, creativity, and desire to learn, while allowing them to socialize and have fun.
Instructors are generally available at the drop-off location prior to class. Feel free to visit them during the drop-off and pick-up process. Instructors' email addresses will also be provided via the registration process.
If you are interested in becoming a College for Kids Summer Enrichment Instructor, please contact Jeffery Barber at [email protected] for further assistance.
.Medication Policy
This information will be provided during online registration.
If at all possible, medication should be administered at home. Medications will be allowed at the Youth Program only when failure to take such medicine would jeopardize the health of a child and otherwise prevent attendance.
The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of Youth Program participants are required to disclose their intention to bring medications to the Program, especially those used to treat potentially life-threatening conditions (e.g., inhalers, EpiPens, insulin injections). Upon arrival at the program, parent(s)/legal guardian(s) should plan to meet with a member of the Youth Program staff at registration to review medication issues for a Youth Program participant and complete additional required paperwork if not completed prior to arrival. For identification purposes, a current picture of the child must be provided upon registration.
All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be stored in the original product packaging and clearly labeled with the participant’s name. Prescription medication(s) must also include a label with the medication’s name and dosage instructions, as well as the prescribing physician’s name and telephone number.
All medications will be kept in a securely locked cabinet used exclusively for storage of medications. Medications that require refrigeration will be stored and locked in a refrigerator designated for medications ONLY. Access to all medications will be limited to approved personnel. The need for emergency medication may require that a Youth Program participant carry the medication on their person or that it be easily accessible (i.e., inhalers, EpiPens, insulin injections). Penn State Youth Program staff will NOT purchase medications of any type (prescription or over-the-counter) for Youth Program participants of any age.
If a Program has professional medical staff on-site, then the medical staff may administer over-the-counter medications (e.g., ibuprofen or Tylenol) supplied by the parent(s)/guardian(s) per package instructions. Medical staff may monitor the self-administration of medications, if necessary, upon written consent of the parent(s), legal guardian(s), or physician orders.
If there are no medical staff on-site, Penn State Youth Program staff will not dispense medications, but may monitor the self-administration of certain medications if necessary, ONLY upon written consent of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and/or physician’s orders. All medication must be given within the College for Kids program office and will only be administered during pickup, drop-off, and lunch times if absolutely necessary. Again, if possible, all medication should be administered by a parent or guardian before or after the program or at home.
It is NOT permissible for a participant to share any medications with any other participants.
It is the responsibility of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) to be sure that the participant’s medications brought to the Youth Program are not left behind at the end of the Program. Failure to do so will result in the medications being destroyed within three working days after the participant’s last day at the Program. Absolutely no medications will be returned via mail, regardless of circumstance.