Valley City Times-Record

Valley City State University hosts Marketplac­e for Kids

Classes of a different kind were in session at Valley City State University (VCSU) on Thursday, Jan. 4. Instead of the regular enrollees, the campus was full of almost 400 third to eighth-grade students from area schools including Washington Elementary, Barnes County North, Central Cass, Maple Valley, Milnor and Litchville-Marion.

Students were taking classes from local experts and learning about various jobs in different sectors. From surveying to astronomy, aviation, financial services, border patrol, electricit­y, and window production, the class sessions were numerous and varied. The event included a Hall of Great Ideas for students to showcase projects and ideas they developed.

“It is a great event and we are happy to have these young students on our campus,” Vice President

for Academic Affairs Larry Brooks said. “Many of our faculty and staff helped teach classes and connect with students and it’s great to see their interest in a variety of areas.”

The event began with the Presentati­on of Colors by Boy Scout Troop #560 and Valley City Public School fifthgrade student Sullivan Peterson singing the national anthem. President Alan LaFave and Mayor Dave Carlsrud welcomed the young learners to the community. More than 100 individual­s supported the event as volunteers, guides, presenters, chaperones and teachers throughout the day.

Seeds for the program were planted in 1996 when an adult event called Marketplac­e of Ideas began. It was designed to connect entreprene­urs in North Dakota. A version for young learners was created shortly thereafter. Bob Heitkamp was involved early on with the Mar

ketplace of Ideas, and

found himself teaching a course about entreprene­urship during a Marketplac­e for Kids event.

Eventually, he became the second executive director for Marketplac­e for Kids.

Next year Heitkamp is anticipati­ng having 13 events throughout North Dakota and into Montana with more than 6,000 youth expected to participat­e.

“What we’re trying to do with Marketplac­e for Kids is show students the options they have in their community,” Heitkamp said. Not only does the event teach students about a wide variety of topics, but it encourages future entreprene­urship. Heitkamp said he recently spoke with a young adult in Fargo that was working to become a business owner, and was a former participan­t as a kid.

“He said, ‘I will own my own business one day. This is just a step along the way,’” Heitkamp said. “That’s the coolest thing ever.”

For more informatio­n about participat­ing or supporting Marketplac­e for Kids, visit https:// marketplac­eforkids. org/.

For more informatio­n about VCSU, visit vcsu. edu or email TammyJo. Taft@vcsu.edu.