Red Hawk Next
Red Hawk Next offers immersive summer experiences designed specifically for 1st – 12th grade students. As the next evolution of our traditional Summerscapes program, Red Hawk Next gives students early exposure to academic and career pathways offered at Catawba Valley Community College.
Through hands-on activities, interactive labs, and real-world learning experiences, students explore programs of interest while getting a true feel for what it’s like to study on campus. Red Hawk Next helps students build confidence, discover potential career paths, and envision their future as part of Red Hawk Nation.
Pre-registration is required for all classes. Submission of this form does not guarantee enrollment in the course. Your registration will be considered complete only after you receive a confirmation email verifying your enrollment from a CVCC or GEAR UP representative.
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Week 1 | June 15-18 | 9am-12pm
Unlock creativity, strengthen reading comprehension, and develop problem-solving skills—all while having a blast with Legos! This camp, designed for children ages 6-12, blends hands-on building with engaging literacy activities to make learning fun.
Campers will dive into exciting stories, follow step-by-step challenges, and unleash their imagination as they construct amazing Lego creations. Whether they’re designing a futuristic city, building characters from their favorite books, or solving engineering puzzles, every activity fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and a love for learning.
Join us for a summer of reading, building, and endless fun—because learning is always better when you create it brick by brick!
Location: TBD
Creative Writing Camp invites students to explore the power of imagination and storytelling. Through fun writing activities, creative prompts, and collaborative exercises, campers will learn how writers turn ideas into engaging stories, poems, and characters.
Students will experiment with different forms of writing, develop their own unique voice, and discover techniques for building plots, creating vivid settings, and bringing characters to life. Campers will also share their work, give supportive feedback, and gain confidence in expressing their ideas through words.
Whether students love reading, enjoy making up stories, or are simply curious about writing, this camp provides a welcoming and creative environment to imagine, write, and share their stories.
Location: TBD
Baking and decorating basics—we will use cake mixes and make homemade buttercream icing, decorate with piping bags , and use a variety of tips. New cupcake ideas are used to create every day, and freestyle to use your imagination in a cupcake creation.
Location: TBD
This class is designed for girls eager to explore the world of makeup, hair, and nails for the first time. They will learn the art of creating beautiful braids and heatless hairstyles, discover simple techniques to enhance their natural beauty, and indulge in a relaxing spa day complete with facials and manicures. Throughout the week, they will gain valuable beauty tips that help them feel confident and look their best. Complete with mini-photoshoot, they will showcase their newfound skills and radiance—both inside and out!
Location: TBD
Give your child the chance to build confidence and shine on stage in this fun, high‑energy Singing Boot Camp designed just for rising 4th–6th graders! Throughout the week, campers will explore healthy vocal technique, breath control, pitch, expression, and even beginner stage presence—all through interactive games, group activities, and age‑friendly songs. Each day blends music learning with creativity and movement, helping young singers find their unique voice in a positive, supportive environment. The week wraps up with a cheerful mini‑showcase where campers get to celebrate their progress and share their talents with family and friends.
Location: Music Building
Cool Circuits is a hands-on middle school camp designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of electrical systems and HVAC technology in an engaging way. Through interactive projects and real-world demonstrations, campers will explore how electrical circuits power buildings and how heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems maintain comfort and efficiency. Students will gain practical experience with basic wiring concepts, system components, and troubleshooting techniques while developing problem-solving and teamwork skills. This camp provides a dynamic introduction to career pathways in the skilled trades, helping students connect with real-world applications in a fun and supportive learning environment.
Location: WSC 1085
This week, your child will discover that math can be fun! Through exciting activities like finger math, exploring alternative ways to solve arithmetic operations, and hands-on experiences with ratios and fractions, students will enhance their number–sense and problem-solving skills. This camp turns everyday math into an adventure, helping children see numbers in new and creative ways.
Location: TBD
This fun, hands-on Photoshop class is designed for middle and high school students who want to explore digital creativity. Campers will learn essential Photoshop tools and techniques while working on exciting, age-appropriate projects. Students will create digital artwork, photo edits, posters, and imaginative designs that showcase their personal style. No prior Photoshop experience is required—just creativity and a willingness to try new ideas. Students are encouraged to bring some type of storage device for their projects (USB or external hard drive).
Location: WW 126
Design and Protect is a hands-on camp designed for students who are curious about creativity and technology. Campers will explore the exciting worlds of Graphic Design (GRD) and Information Technology (IT) through interactive projects and real-world challenges.
Students will create digital graphics, design logos, experiment with visual storytelling, and learn how technology powers the digital world around them. They’ll also discover the basics of cybersecurity, safe online practices, and how to “protect” their digital creations.
Location: WSC 1018
This action‑packed program invites students to step into the exciting worlds of Fire, Law Enforcement, and EMS. Students will suit up like firefighters, explore emergency vehicles, solve mock crime scenes, and learn lifesaving skills while building confidence, teamwork, and leadership. Every day brings hands‑on challenges, fast‑paced activities, and behind‑the‑scenes access to the people who keep our communities safe. If you’re ready to save the day, this is the ultimate experience.
Location: CAD 115
Discover the excitement of healthcare through hands-on activities and real-world skills. Scrubs, Scans & Smiles introduces campers to a variety of health science careers as they explore what it takes to care for patients, support medical teams, and use technology to keep people healthy.
- Try out nursing skills that build confidence and compassion
- Learn how dental hygiene keeps smiles bright and healthy
- Experiment with respiratory therapy tools to understand lung health
- Step into the fast-paced world of surgical technology
- Explore how radiography uses imaging to solve medical mysteries
- Practice medical assisting tasks that keep clinics running smoothly
It’s an engaging, hands-on journey into the world of health science—perfect for curious future healthcare heroes.
Location: CAD 148
The camp introduces students to the essential skills and knowledge that form the foundation of the construction industry. Students explore core concepts such as jobsite safety, tool identification and use, basic carpentry, and an overview of construction trades. Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, the academy helps students understand how construction projects come together while building problem-solving, teamwork, and workplace readiness skills.
Location: TBD
Week 2 | June 22-25 | 9am-12pm
Unlock creativity, strengthen reading comprehension, and develop problem-solving skills—all while having a blast with Legos! This camp, designed for children ages 6-12, blends hands-on building with engaging literacy activities to make learning fun.
Campers will dive into exciting stories, follow step-by-step challenges, and unleash their imagination as they construct amazing Lego creations. Whether they’re designing a futuristic city, building characters from their favorite books, or solving engineering puzzles, every activity fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and a love for learning.
Join us for a summer of reading, building, and endless fun—because learning is always better when you create it brick by brick!
Location: TBD
Give your child the chance to build confidence and shine on stage in this fun, high‑energy Singing Boot Camp designed just for rising 4th–6th graders! Throughout the week, campers will explore healthy vocal technique, breath control, pitch, expression, and even beginner stage presence—all through interactive games, group activities, and age‑friendly songs. Each day blends music learning with creativity and movement, helping young singers find their unique voice in a positive, supportive environment. The week wraps up with a cheerful mini‑showcase where campers get to celebrate their progress and share their talents with family and friends.
Location: Music Building
Creative Writing Camp invites students to explore the power of imagination and storytelling. Through fun writing activities, creative prompts, and collaborative exercises, campers will learn how writers turn ideas into engaging stories, poems, and characters.
Students will experiment with different forms of writing, develop their own unique voice, and discover techniques for building plots, creating vivid settings, and bringing characters to life. Campers will also share their work, give supportive feedback, and gain confidence in expressing their ideas through words.
Whether students love reading, enjoy making up stories, or are simply curious about writing, this camp provides a welcoming and creative environment to imagine, write, and share their stories.
Location: TBD
Get ready to create, cut, shape, and spark! Students will step into the world of welding and machining to explore how raw metal becomes real-world products. Participants will learn basic welding techniques, operate machining equipment, and complete guided projects they can take home.
Location: WSC 1021
In this one-week, hands-on camp, students will explore how engineering concepts power the automotive world. Campers will create simple CAD designs, bring their ideas to life using 3D printing, and learn the fundamentals of engine operation and assembly.
Through interactive lab activities and guided projects, students will discover how mechanical systems, design thinking, and problem-solving come together to keep vehicles in motion. This camp is perfect for students who enjoy building, technology, and understanding how things work.
Location: WSC 1043
Give your student the opportunity to explore the human body in a hands-on, unforgettable way! In this four-day STEM camp, students will investigate how the body’s systems work together to keep us alive and healthy—through interactive learning, real-world applications, and guided lab experiences.
Each day focuses on a different body system, including the cardiovascular and digestive systems, while also introducing all 11 major human body systems. Students will engage in exciting activities such as safely dissecting a heart, examining a fetal pig specimen, and learning how organs function and connect.
Campers will also take part in real-life health science experiences like measuring blood pressure and understanding what it reveals about heart health. Throughout the week, students will build critical thinking skills, develop scientific curiosity, and gain early exposure to careers in health and medical fields.
Location: TBD
Students will experience a fun program where creativity and confidence shine! Students will explore age-appropriate beauty and self-care through instructor demonstrations, guided hands-on practice, and structured reflection. Each day is filled with games, engaging activities, and chances to try new skills from basic braiding and heat-free hairstyling to beginner manicures, gentle skincare routines, and wellness discussions focused on confidence, self-esteem, cleanliness, and teamwork. The program wraps up with a special mini photoshoot and certificate celebration so campers can show off their new skills, big smiles, and inner sparkle. Come ready to learn, laugh, and glow!
Location: COS 117
Discover the excitement of healthcare through hands-on activities and real-world skills. Scrubs, Scans & Smiles introduces campers to a variety of health science careers as they explore what it takes to care for patients, support medical teams, and use technology to keep people healthy.
- Try out nursing skills that build confidence and compassion
- Learn how dental hygiene keeps smiles bright and healthy
- Experiment with respiratory therapy tools to understand lung health
- Step into the fast-paced world of surgical technology
- Explore how radiography uses imaging to solve medical mysteries
- Practice medical assisting tasks that keep clinics running smoothly
It’s an engaging, hands-on journey into the world of health science—perfect for curious future healthcare heroes.
Location: CAD 148
This fun, hands-on Photoshop class is designed for middle and high school students who want to explore digital creativity. Campers will learn essential Photoshop tools and techniques while working on exciting, age-appropriate projects. Students will create digital artwork, photo edits, posters, and imaginative designs that showcase their personal style. No prior Photoshop experience is required—just creativity and a willingness to try new ideas. Students are encouraged to bring some type of storage device for their projects (USB or external hard drive).
Location: WW 126
Geometry comes to life! Students will explore shapes, solids, and measurements through interactive activities. They’ll try simple trigonometry, hands-on measurement projects, and exciting geometry explorations. This camp encourages artful connections, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills that make sense—perfect for curious minds ready to see the world through a mathematical lens.
Location: TBD
The camp introduces students to the essential skills and knowledge that form the foundation of the construction industry. Students explore core concepts such as jobsite safety, tool identification and use, basic carpentry, and an overview of construction trades. Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, the academy helps students understand how construction projects come together while building problem-solving, teamwork, and workplace readiness skills.
FAQs
Every class has a minimum required enrollment. If this minimum is not met prior to the starting date, the class will be canceled. If you find a class you like, encourage a friend to join too. Sometimes two or three people make the difference between “go” and “cancel.” GearUp priority registration: March 1st-15th.
The information in this brochure is based on conditions at the time of printing and is subject to change. Classes may be canceled and/or locations may be changed at the discretion of the CVCC program administration.
For safety precautions, a parent/guardian must check your student in and check out of all Red Hawk Next classes each day. Participants are responsible for their own transportation. Check-in begins no sooner than 10 minutes prior to your student’s class. To view CVCC campus map visit cvcc.edu/map.
If your child requires accommodations due to a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call 828.327.7000 x4222 or email [email protected] at least 7-10 working days in advance to allow time to arrange any services.
Register for Red Hawk Next
Pre-registration is required for all classes. Submission of this form does not guarantee enrollment in the course. Your registration will be considered complete only after you receive a confirmation email verifying your enrollment from a CVCC or GEAR UP representative.