HOLYOKE — Registration is now open for 2025 Summer Youth Programs at Holyoke Community College.
Starting July 7 and running through August 8, HCC will offer 19 week-long, in-person summer programs – and many more online – for youth aged 8 to 17.
For more than 40 years, HCC has offered fun, challenging summer education activities for youth, providing early opportunities for students to experience a college environment guided and encouraged by experienced professionals.
HCC’s 2025 on-campus summer youth programs run Monday through Friday, some for a full day and others for a half day.
All in-person programs will be held on the main HCC campus, 303 Homestead Ave., except for cooking and baking classes, which are held at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St., Holyoke.
July 7-11:
Let’s Brunch! with Chef Diana Swanigan (ages 9-15): Learn how to make exquisite brunch items you can recreate at home, such as omelets, home-made focaccia breakfast sandwiches, French toast casserole, cowboy quiche, pancakes, and fruit and yogurt parfaits. (9 a.m. – 3 p.m., $399)
Youth Culinary Arts Exploration with Chef Maureen Benton (ages 11-14): Join us for a full-immersion program that pulls unique recipes from countries all over the world. (9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $229)
Youth Professional Baking with Chef Maureen Benton (ages 11-14): Learn to create and plate a beautiful dessert worthy of a master pastry chef. (12:30 – 4 p.m., $229)
July 14-18:
ROBLOX Coders (age 8-10): Learn how to build 3D models and create an adventure in your ROBLOX world. Instructor Brittany Pietskowski. (9 a.m. to noon for ages 8-10; 1 to 4 p.m. for ages 11-14, $199)
Travel the World with Chef Diana Swanigan (ages 9-15): Learn to create tasty tacos and burritos, pico de gallo, guacamole, spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, fried rice, chicken spring rolls, green bean basmati rice, coconut chicken curry, garlic naan, macaroni and cheese, buttermilk fried chicken, sweet cornbread muffins, and more. (9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $399)
Youth Culinary Arts Exploration with Chef Maureen Benton (ages 11-14): (9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $229)
Youth Professional Baking with Chef Maureen Benton (ages 11-14): (12:30 – 4 p.m., $229)
July 21-25:
Make Your First Video Game: Go beyond the limitations of the traditional 2D game design and create an immersive 3D world. Instructor Brittany Pietskowski. (9 a.m. to noon for ages 8-10; 1 to 4 p.m. for ages 11-14, $199)
July 28-August 1
Youth Soccer Clinic (ages 7-17): A comprehensive soccer clinic for young athletes taught by Rob Galazka, head coach of the HCC women’s soccer team, with assistance from top college soccer players, stressing basic and advanced skills with plenty of one-on-one instruction (9 a.m.- 3 p.m., $399)
AI Adventures – Introduction to Machine Learning (ages 8-10): This program combines artificial intelligence with coding to create an unforgettable learning adventure. Instructor Brittany Pietskowski. (9 a.m. – noon for ages 8-10, 1 – 4 p.m. for ages 11 to 14, $199)
Summer Flavors without Borders with Chef Marangelly Vargas-Gonzalez (ages 12-16): Embark on a culinary journey across America as you prepare culturally diverse classic summer dishes for yourselves and your peers. (9 a.m. – 3 p.m., $399)
Summer Vibes with Chef Diana Swanigan (ages 9-15): Discover the sensory riches of summer through the simplicity of fresh food. (9 a.m. – 3 p.m., $399)
August 4-8:
Python Programmers, Learn the world’s fastest-growing programming language favored by Google, NASA, YouTube, and the CIA to create engaging apps and games. Instructor Brittany Pietskowski. (9 a.m. to noon for ages 8-10, and 1-4 p.m. for ages 11-14, $199)
Summer Flavors without Borders with Chef Marangelly Vargas-Gonzalez (ages 12-16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., $399)
Summer Vibes with Chef Diana Swanigan (ages 9-15, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., $399)
HCC also offers additional many other technology-based online classes through its partner, Black Rocket.
To register for in person or online Summer Youth Program classes, please go to: hcc.edu/summer-youth. ■
