Dallas-based Rainbow Days to put on Kids’ University summer camp

by PegNews wire

Rainbow Days, Inc. is proud to announce its continued partnership with the University of Texas at Dallas in hosting the 14th Annual Kids’ University, summer day camp for homeless children, Monday, June 8 – Thursday, June 11, 2009.

Kids’ University provides approximately 100 children from 16 Dallas area homeless shelters with a real-life college experience. Classes will be held Monday, June 8th – Thursday, June 11th at the Campus West Building at the University of Texas at Dallas, located at 800 Campbell Road in Richardson from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The highlight of this 4-day summer day camp is the graduation ceremony, held at the end of the week. During the graduation ceremony, each camper will have the opportunity to walk across stage donning a brightly colored cap and gown and receive a diploma, while shaking hands with Dr. George Fair, Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies at UTD. Rainbow Days is pleased to announce that Mr. Michael

J. Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College will serve as this year’s commencement speaker. As the President of Paul Quinn College, Mr. Sorrell is deeply committed to education and will speak with the children on ‘dreaming big’. His personal philosophy is that we all have a responsibility to leave a place better than we found it. Mr. Sorrell realizes that hope is a precious commodity and encourages others to find the greatness in themselves. Graduation will be Thursday, June 11th at 2:15 p.m., in Karl Hoblitzelle Hall (HH on the campus map) at the University of Texas at Dallas.

During Kids University, children participate in various educational and recreational classes including Rainbow Days’ support groups, anti-smoking classes, nutritional cooking, art, karate, algebra, dance, stress management, and a traveling animal education class which introduces children to different species of animals and their habitats—all taught by caring community volunteers, teachers, and paid professional instructors.

Additionally, career classes will be taught by professionals from the Air Force National Guard; Whole Foods; Kidz Science, a class that opens minds and increases children’s interest in science; and Cranium Kids, who provide mobile education programs using computer technology as a tool to reinforce educational and developmental skills.

Other participants include Milton Smith, comedian and motivational speaker, who will encourage children to follow their dreams while staying drug free, and the James Wand Secret Agent Magic Show, a hilarious and high energy performance where James interacts with the children in his adventures as a secret agent magician.

The goal of Kids' University is to help children in area shelters aspire to higher learning while improving their academic, social, and developmental skills. Kids’ University is designed to promote higher education while providing the children with exposure to innovative and creative learning experiences, all on a college campus. Children learn valuable life skills that will help them now and as well as in the future; skills such as making healthy choices, setting and achieving goals, the value of teamwork and developing a greater sense of purpose and future.

Rainbow Days is grateful for the generous donors who make this year’s Kids University possible. Special thanks to: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas Independent School District, , and The Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation.

For almost 30 years, Rainbow Days has provided children living in high-risk situations with the skills and support they need to overcome adversity and stay drug-free. To date, Rainbow Days has impacted more than 95,000 children in the Dallas Metroplex and trained more than 26,000 professionals in facilitating life skills support groups and programs. For more information about Kids’ University or Rainbow Days, please visit our website at www.rdikids.org contact us at: 214-887-0726.

Source: Adams Communications Public Relations