Community Programs | WKCTC

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WKCTC will be closed for the holiday season December 21 - January 5. Campus will reopen on Monday, January 6. Have a safe holiday break!

Community Programs

two young girls learning at the center

Summer Camp

Register for Camp!

Registration for Summer Camp 2025 will open in January 2025! Exact date will be announced after first of the year.

BE PREPARED! Our registration portal is not compatible on all cell phones. It works best on a computer, laptop or tablet. If you have any issues using our online registration site, please clear your internet browser cache first - sometimes this is the fix. However, if that does not resolve the issue, you will need to find another device to use for registration.

Take a look at our 2025 summer camp offerings below!

Astrotot Camp is offered to students rising into Kindergarten - 1st grade. Each session is two hours in length with hands-on activities centered around the session theme.

Space Art June 12, 2025

Space Animals June 26, 2025

Space Chef July 10, 2025

Science Lab July 17, 2025

9:00-11:00 a.m. or 12:30-2:30 p.m.

$20/session

Age: Rising Kindergarten-1st Gr 

Explore: Space

This one-day camp includes many hands-on space and science activities centered around the planets. Choose one of three dates offered:

June 2, 2025
June 10, 2025
July 8, 2025

9a-2:30p
$35
Age: Rising 2nd-3rd Gr

Explore: Stars

This one-day camp includes many hands-on space and science activities centered around stars and constellations. It also includes a visit to our STARLAB portable planetarium. Choose one of three dates offered:

June 3, 2025
June 11, 2025
July 9, 2025

9a-2:30p
$35
Age: Rising 2nd-3rd Gr

Robotics: Spike Essentials

Using life, physical, earth and space sciences, participants will use LEGOs as they journey through building and programming robotic 3D models. This is the perfect first step for young robot experts in the making! This two-day camp was formerly called Robotics: WeDo Science. Choose one of two sessions offered:

June 2-3, 2025
July 14-15, 2025

9a-3:00p
$125
Age: Rising 2nd-3rd Gr

Robotics: LEGO Space Challenge I

Using space as a theme, master robotics systems created by LEGO! Campers will design, build and program their robotic creations to maneuver various space themed challenges on places like Mars! Choose one of two sessions offered:

June 9-11, 2025
July 21-23, 2025

9a-3:30p
$165
Age: Rising 4th-6th Gr

Robotics: LEGO Space Challenge II

Become a master LEGO builder and programmer! Campers will build on previous learned skills to maneuver through various space themed challenges on the Moon.

This three day camp has a firm pre-requisite*.

June 16-18, 2025

9a-3:30p
$165
Age: Rising 4th-7th Gr (PLUS must have attended pre-requisite camp as stated above)

*Campers must have attended Roboitcs: LEGO Space Challenge I (June 10-12, 2024 OR June 9-11, 2025) To check your child's availability, login to your account here and click view details.
*DISCLAIMER: If you register a child for this camp that has not attended one of the pre-requisite camps, we will automatically process a full refund less a 10% processing fee without notice. Once this refund has been processed, you will receive an email confirmation of the cancellation and refund.

At secret agent training you will develop a disguise for cover, make and break codes, discover escape and evasion techniques, create and use spy gadgets and uncover the science behind spying. Choose one of two sessions offered for this two day camp:

June 16-17, 2025
July 21-22, 2025

9a-3:30p
$105
Age: Rising 3rd-5th Gr

Young Jedi will want to attend this special camp created just for them! Participate in activities and experiments, including light sabers and carbonite, based on the popular movie series.

June 4-5, 2025

9a-3:30p
$105

Age: Rising 4th-7th Gr

Expedition: Moon Camp

Be among the next generation of space travelers to arrive on the Moon! Campers will journey to the Moon as they fly a Lunar Quest™ mission in our hands-on simulator. They will explore just what it takes for astronauts to survive in the Moon's desolate environment.

June 25, 2025

9a-3:30p
$45
Age: Rising 4th-7th Gr

Mission to Mars Camp

Fly a mission to Mars! Campers will travel to the Red Planet during an Expedition Mars™ mission in our hands-on simulator. After arriving on Mars, they will build a life-size colony where they will live, work and train like real planetary astronauts.

July 23-24, 2025

9a-3:30p
$125
Age: Rising 4th-7th Gr

After learning the basics of driving and coding a Sphero Bolt (advanced robotic ball), engineers will participate in activities such as Maze Craze, making Spherographs and a Sphero Battle Bot competition.

July 7-9, 2025

9a-3:30p
$155
Age: Rising 5th-8th Gr

Have you ever thought of all the things drones are used for? Join us to explore not only the fun side of drones, but also many other uses as well. Become a drone expert as you learn to fly drones! Participate in other activities such as coding techniques, flight challenges and team flying. 

July 16-17, 2025

9a-3:30p
$105
Age: 7th-9th Gr

Learn all about how astronauts train underwater to simulate working in space! Participants will learn the basics of astronaut training, neutral buoyancy, density and SCUBA.  On the second day of camp we will travel to Mermet Springs where trainees will experience SCUBA one-on-one with a certified instructor. Participants must be able to swim and medically fit to dive. SCUBA gear is provided. 

June 23-24, 2025

9a-3:30p
$155
Age: 12-15 years old

Mandatory Meeting
May 5, 2025
6-7p
Challenger Learning Center

What makes an airplane fly?  Learn the basics of flight and apply them in different hands-on activities and simulations.  After you have shown the right stuff, take flight in a real airplane departing from Midwest Aviation.  While in the air you will become an actual pilot when you get to take the yoke and fly the plane. 

July 7-9, 2025

9a-3:30p
$200
Age: Rising 9th-12th Gr

Have a question about summer camp?

You may find the answer below!

Registration opens in January! Check back after January 6 for announcement of opening date!

Set your alarms as many of our camps fill within minutes!

Register for Camp!

At this time, we do not have any scholarship funding available.

If your child is attending a full day camp, they must bring a lunch with drink from home.

Summer camp t-shirts are available for purchase during the registration process. T-shirts are $16, plus tax and will be given to your child on the first day, of the first camp they attend. No size changes or refunds on summer camp t-shirts after April 26, 2025.

All of our camps will have a waitlist opportunity if a camp is full. Should a camp be full, you will not be able to add it to your cart. You will be prompted to add your child to the waitlist.

Should a spot open up at a camp you have waitlisted for, we will contact you immediately.

  • 100% refund - cancellations received at least 30 days prior to first day of registered program, less 10% cancellation fee
  • 50% refund - cancellations received within the 30 day window of registered program 
  • No refund - missed program or cancellations received on the day of registered program
    • If child is sick and cannot attend, a doctor’s note must be provided for a full refund, less a 10% cancellation fee.
  • No refund - online processing fees
  • Refunds will be processed within 7-10 days of cancellation date.
  • No refund or size changes on camp shirts after April 26, 2025. 

Club Challenger

Register for Club!

Registration opens January 14, 2025 - 6:00 a.m. CST.

BE PREPARED! Our registration portal is not compatible on all cell phones. It works best on a computer, laptop or tablet. If you have any issues using our online registration site, please clear your internet browser cache first - sometimes this is the fix. However, if that does not resolve the issue, you will need to find another device to use for registration.

Explore the amazing wonders of science during our after school program, Club Challenger. Students will join us at the Challenger Learning Center once a month to participate in exciting, hands-on activities related to space and science.

February 11, 2025 - Artemis Challenge
March 11, 2025 - Your Body in Microgravity
April 15, 2025 - Growing Plants in Space
May 6, 2025 - Water Recovery & Recycling

4:15-5:45 p.m.

Membership Fee $60 (covers all four sessions)

Explore the amazing wonders of science during our after school program, Club Challenger. Students will join us at the Challenger Learning Center once a month to participate in exciting, hands-on activities related to space and science.

February 18, 2025 - Artemis Challenge 
March 18, 2025 - Your Body in Microgravity 
April 22, 2025 - Growing Plants in Space
May 13, 2025 - Water Recovery & Recycling

4:15-5:45 p.m.

Membership Fee $60 (covers all four sessions)

Registration opens 1.14.25 at 6:00 a.m. CST.

Register for Club!

 

We do not offer a wait list for Club Challenger as we rarely receive cancellations.  

Should a spot open up, we would post it on our social media accounts as first come, first served.

General Refund Policy

  • 100% refund - cancellations received at least 15 days prior to the program start date, less 10% cancellation fee
  • No refund - cancellations received within 15 days of the program start date
  • No refund - for missed sessions
  • No refund - of online registration process fee
  • Refunds are issued in the original form of payment.
  • Refunds are issued within 5-10 business days.

Trivia Night

Friday, February 7, 2025
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Trivia begins at 7:00 p.m.

Registration opens January 7, 2025!

Register for Trivia Night!

  • Teams must pre-register with full payment
  • Team Fee $120/team of 6
  • 10 rounds of 10 questions
  • Prize for top 3 winning teams
  • Popcorn and soft drinks provided (while supplies last)
  • Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks welcome
  • No outside alcoholic drinks allowed, cash bar available
  • Mulligan Fee $20/5 mulligans
  • Event will close at 35 tables

All proceeds benefit the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah. The Challenger Learning Center, located on the campus of West Kentucky Community & Technical College, is a non-profit organization that offers simulated space missions and hands-on STEM education to schools, corporations and community organizations.

Programs and Presentations

The Challenger Learning Center at Paducah offers a variety of programs and presentations for people of all ages! Bring your group to the Challenger Learning Center, or let us come to you.

  • Library story hours
  • Youth groups
  • School clubs
  • Scout groups
  • Daycare programs
  • Summer programs
  • Community groups
  • School presentations 
  • Living in space
  • Rocketry
  • Constellations
  • Planets
  • Planetarium show
  • Anything space or STEM related!
We do not have any organized programs at this time for either Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. Please call us at (270) 534-3101 if you are interested in a program for your group.

Give us a call at (270) 534-3101 or send us an email at sarahj.davis@kctcs.edu

West Kentucky
RCX Regional Tournament

Mission Horizon: Headed to the Moon
Saturday, March 8, 2025

West Kentucky Community & Technical College
New location on campus! Clemens Fine Arts Center

Questions? Contact Mellisa Duncan at (270) 534-3097 or mellisa.duncan@kctcs.edu.