Park County School District No. 1 wrapped up its final session of Summer Academies Friday.The academies offered enrichment activities for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Classes ranged from cooking, art and woodworking to gardening, auto mechanics and interior design. The rock wall course was offered in multiple sessions due to high demand.Organizers did a great job, with volunteer teachers, of thinking creatively to give students a wide variety of activities to choose from.The children who participated, of course, gained from learning new skills — and sharpening their talents. Most students truly were enriched by their experiences.Parents, especially those who work full-time, had the benefit of knowing their children had positive activities, with good supervision, to fill long summer afternoons.The academies cost $15 a week, with discounts given to families enrolling multiple children. That's less than the cost of a babysitter.The district charged just enough, with some additional state funding, to cover the cost of materials.Talk about a bargain.It's an example of our schools going above and beyond to provide great opportunities for our youth.

Park County School District No. 1 wrapped up its final session of Summer Academies Friday.The academies offered enrichment activities for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Classes ranged from cooking, art and woodworking to gardening, auto mechanics and interior design. The rock wall course was offered in multiple sessions due to high demand.Organizers did a great job, with volunteer teachers, of thinking creatively to give students a wide variety of activities to choose from.The children who participated, of course, gained from learning new skills — and sharpening their talents. Most students truly were enriched by their experiences.Parents, especially those who work full-time, had the benefit of knowing their children had positive activities, with good supervision, to fill long summer afternoons.The academies cost $15 a week, with discounts given to families enrolling multiple children. That's less than the cost of a babysitter.The district charged just enough, with some additional state funding, to cover the cost of materials.Talk about a bargain.It's an example of our schools going above and beyond to provide great opportunities for our youth.