Lima children learning from GenNext camp

LIMA — Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith visited GenNext campers at Bradfield Community Center Wednesday and said the camp is an important way to show local students how their education relates to real careers they can acquire in their hometown.

The camp is part of a campaign by the office of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), in partnership with Smith and other Ohio mayors to expose children to careers related to STEM fields.

“Today is day three of the GenNext Makers Camp,” Smith said. “Today, we’re out here with the Lima Fire Department, and we have our med truck. They’re showing the kids all the things that happen when we’re called and before a person gets to the hospital.”

The camp, which started Monday, visited the city’s wastewater treatment plant, the Lima Ford Plant, Rhodes State College and the University of Northwestern Ohio. Campers are set to visit Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center and Hover Park on Thursday to learn about soil samples.

Bradfield executive director Chris Jackson said it was nice to see the smiles the kids get from the experiences.

“I’m extremely excited to see young people back in our hallways and classrooms learning different things in our community about how things run,” he said. “I think as a whole, the camp is a good experience. They’re getting education that they don’t normally get, and it opens their eyes to a lot of things that happen in the community.”

Smith added the camp is useful for children to supplement the materials they learn with hands-on instruction.

“It shows them how you can use the math they learn in school in a future career that is right here at home,” she said. “This is the second year we’ve done this camp, and the kids really enjoy it and are truly engaged. Some kids learn better by doing and this exposure is invaluable.”

To learn more about Lima’s GenNext Programs, visit bit.ly/3WqRQnG.

Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.