You are handed a roll of duct tape, a giant black trash bag as well as two pieces of cardboard and instructed to fashion the random objects into a sailboat that launches at dusk. Yet you are not a survivalist or reenacting an old episode of MacGyver. You are, in fact, participating in the 2026 College for Kids on the campus of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri.
From June 14 to July 11, gifted students entering Grades 3 through 9 from across the country are “camping” at Westminster in the Freshman Quadrangle, taking classes like Art: The Third Dimension, Chain-Reaction Contraptions and Raiders of the Lost Knowledge. They dance together while singing songs such as “I Want it That Way” by The Backstreet Boys or “I’m Gonna Be” by The Proclaimers.
Recreation and in-depth activities are scheduled in the afternoons as described above, when on June 23, fifth and sixth graders used their creative skills to design makeshift boats with their roommates, sailing them at an area swimming pool at night.
Through it all, each class and activity is infused with a character-building focus.
“We emphasize to the students that everything they do, from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night, should be focused on giving to their communities, always bettering themselves and using their intelligence for good in the world,” explains College for Kids co-director Sue Craghead, who co-founded the organization in 1989.
This year, after being hosted more recently by various institutions throughout mid-Missouri, the program returned to Westminster, where it has again found a welcoming and supportive environment.
An unexpected Westminster highlight, for many students, is the dining experience provided by Fresh Ideas.
Craghead praises Jade Bradford and the dining services staff for keeping a sharp eye out for unexpected needs demonstrated by the campers. The program co-director describes one student this particular week in June as noticeably in need of extra TLC. The child transformed almost immediately from being highly reserved to visibly bubbly thanks to the staff’s thoughtful support.
“Jade took the student back to the kitchen and fixed a whole Ziplock bag of snacks and Uncrustables that could be transported back to the dorm,” Craghead says. “What other cafeteria on a college campus would do that?”
The warm, personalized environment College for Kids strives to create, from dining to recreation, has resulted in a 98.7% return rate from year to year. Countless lifelong friendships have formed since the program’s founding 37 years ago, with many buddies going on to room together in college. The program has even resulted in numerous marriages among former participants.
Dedication also runs high among employees: Many instructors and support staff are past College for Kids students, who eventually call the location that hosts the summer event “home.”
Craghead anticipates Westminster will be just that for this year’s 445 participants.
“Our experience here has been just tremendous,” she says with a satisfied smile.
For more information on College for Kids, please contact CollegeforKids@hotmail.com.
Sarah Rummel Backer is the Director of Media Relations and Senior Writer at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. A proud Westminster graduate, Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications in the areas of higher education, medicine, agriculture, and the private business sector.
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