About Us

College for Kids is a summer course program provided by Westfield State College for kids ages 5-16. We provide kids with innovative and creative educational programs, making it an enjoyable environment for learning. The success of the program is largely attributed to our experienced teaching staff and amazing volunteers.

Coordinator Maryann Walsh came to the program as an excited parent ready to enroll her own children into the curriculum. Since then she has taken over the responsibility of Coordinator for the College for Kids program and molded the series to emphasize both entertainment and education. Both her daughter and son, who were once enrolled in classes, are now seasoned instructors and volunteers, respectively.

The College for Kids program is a wonderful opportunity for growth, not only through learning, but through community service as well. Numerous students have returned as volunteers, with some even taking positions as instructors after working with the program for so many years. One former student, John Pommenville, took College for Kids courses for several years and returned as a volunteer once he surpassed the age limit. Today a sophomore at Westfield State College, John is teaching his very own extremely popular Lego program through College for Kids this fall at Abner Gibbs Elementary School as well as four classes for College for Kids this summer.

While some instructors started out as students, other instructors have long histories with College for Kids. Taxidermy instructor Bill Hardie has been offering his course for over 25 years. He has recently retired from his job at Westfield State College but refuses to give up his courses with the College for Kids program. This course continues to be one of the most successful due to the enthusiasm and genuine satisfaction both Bill and his students get summer after summer.

Classes range in subjects such as natural science, history, computer graphics, and the arts. Our staff’s ability to provide such diversity with our classes allows us to reach out to children with a variety of interests and abilities. Class placement is generally limited to twelve students. Classes run from July 6th through July 31st. Please register soon as classes are expected to fill quickly. For more information or to request a catalog, contact the College for Kids office at (413) 572-8557 or at .