Instructor Rory McMahan dresses as a Civil War soldier for one of his interactive history classes.

It was a hot, sunny July day last year when Rory McMahan dressed head-to-toe in an authentic Civil War soldier’s uniform. The air-conditioning in Raintree Hall on the IU Northwest campus in Gary provided some relief, but the evidence of the uniform’s stifling nature appeared as a rosy glow on his cheeks.

He is one of dozens of teachers again participating in IU Northwest’s Kids College this summer. Kids College has been around for more than 20 years and hosts more than 600 students during its two three-week sessions in June and July. The first session began June 20 and runs through July 7.

Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.–9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Session II begins July 7 and runs through July 28. Class offerings are divided by age groups: New Kids on Campus (ages 7-9), Young Juniors (ages 9-12) and Young Collegians (13-16). The cost is $60 per class.

McMahan has the particularly difficult task of making the past interesting to children. His interactive history classes are “Let’s Be Civil!” and “Isolate or Intervene? World War II.”

"I have to do something to take history off the page and make it real. Otherwise, it’s so darn boring," he said.

Other than wearing different costumes, which he acquires from the Internet or at costume sales from high school theater departments, McMahan takes the children outside to march as soldiers. His World War II class is designed make students members of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s cabinet. The cabinet weighs the pros and cons of entering the conflict.

The mix of learning and fun is what makes Kids College so special. The program has standard courses in writing, reading, phonics, mathematics and sports. There are also ISTEP review and study skills courses. However, each year students also get a chance to explore courses in popular culture, such as crime investigations or hip-hop dancing.

Joan Wolter, coordinator of Kids College, looks to her 12-year-old granddaughter, who is in her fifth year with the program, for ideas on new classes to offer.

The most popular of these newer series of classes are the dance courses in hip-hop. At the end of the each session, the children put on a performance for their families and other students.

Course offerings are as diverse as the student population. The experience is a chance for children of various ethnic and economic backgrounds to share a common experience.

"I believe that this experience has been good for her (Wolter’s granddaughter) and the other children because it takes them out of their school neighborhoods and introduces them to children from various backgrounds. They get a chance to go to different buildings, have a variety of instructors and be on a college campus, which makes them feel like their big brothers or sisters. And most of all, it is all done in a safe learning environment," Wolter said.

Entry into a class is on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents may register by telephone at 219-980-6805 or 219-980-6828, or in person at Sycamore Hall, Room 300. Hours are Monday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.