This summer, children in Sedona can experience college — without any of the downsides [like lack of sleep, student debt, the list goes on and on.

The Sedona Parks and Recreation Department teamed up with Yavapai College to bring back College 4 Kids in Sedona this July. 
The camp offers field-trip based programming with a focus on improving children’s relationship to the environ­ment. From Monday to Friday, July 8 through 12, students grades four to eight will join environmental ethics expert and hiking guide Andrea Christelle, who will take them on excursions around the Verde Valley and teach about nature in the area. 

“Students will learn to appreciate the wonder of the natural world through scientific study, value-based inquiry and learn to critically and creatively examine data and ideas,” the course description reads. 

The group will meet at the Posse Grounds Park Recreation Room and go on these exploratory expeditions from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. This camp is limited to 10 students and those interested in participating can contact Yavapai College Community Education Director Zachary Jernigan at 634-6537. 

Jernigan spoke about bringing Yavapai College 4 Kids back to Sedona, the partnership with Parks and Recreation and what kids can expect from the lesson. 

• Why did you decide to offer the College for Kids program in Sedona this summer?                               

   Yavapai College has offered College for Kids program­ming in Sedona in the past, but it’s been a while since we did so. Most — if not all — the credit goes to Ali Baxter with Sedona Parks and Recreation for reaching out to me to get programming going in concert with the city. Last year, as the newly-minted director of the program, I couldn’t make programming in Sedona work in time to get it off the ground, but experience has its advan­tages: This year, I was able to orga­nize the course in advance with Ali’s help. We’re beyond thrilled to do this in Sedona. On our Verde [Clarkdale] campus, we have students coming in from around the Verde Valley; it only makes sense to have Sedona take part each year. 

• The program focuses on teaching kids about the natural environment. How did the topic idea come about? 

I recently ran into Andrea Christelle, a friend of the college who hosts philosophy-themed hikes in the area, and had a light-bulb moment. She seemed the perfect fit for program­ming that tackles one of the most pressing issues of our — or any — generation: How to love nature and work to preserve it. Andrea developed a wonderful curriculum to intro­duce the kids to environmental ethics, incorporating local natural history with insights into current environmental issues. 

• Why do you believe it is important for kids to learn about the environment? 

We live in a fragile ecosystem, one of the few year-round riparian environments left in the state. Learning to appreciate it respon­sibly will inspire these young learners to be good stewards for their own enjoyment and that of future generations. 

• What should interested students and parents know ahead of classes? 

Yavapai College and the city are offering College for Kids for students in grades 4 through 8. Transportation included to YC campuses in Sedona and Clarkdale, as well as natural “classrooms” throughout the area. Snacks and water will be provided, but parents need to remember sunscreen for their kiddos, bug spray and anything else the child will need for a four-hour excursion away from home 

Natasha Heinz can be reached at 282-7795 ext. 117, or email at nheinz@larsonnewspapers.com