Rocket Kids provides exciting overseas opportunities for HFC students

If you are looking for an overseas experience and want to work with children, you should consider the Rocket Kids program.

Start your journey by filling out the interest form

Founded in 2023, Rocket Kids is a newly-designed experiential learning program housed through the Judith Herb College of Education at the University of Toledo in Ohio. The Department of Defense awarded UT Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dr. Sammy Spann an $11.5 million grant to fund this program, which sends college students to military bases overseas to run summer camps and child development centers for the children of people serving in the United States Army.

As a Rocket Kids intern, you will be able to participate in a fall, spring, or summer term, providing services to military members’ children while experiencing the world and broadening your horizons in the following countries:

• Italy
• Belgium
• Germany
• The Netherlands

How to qualify to participate in Rocket Kids

• U.S. citizenship required
• Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Have completed at least two semesters at HFC
• Have a valid passport (HFC American Federation of Teachers Local 1650 can assist)
• Have undergone CPR training (Local 1650 can assist)
• Complete an application form

Complete information about the program, including a video overview, is here.

If you participate in the Rocket Kids program, you will receive the following:

• 12 credit hours from UT for only $500 (a greatly reduced rate)
• Paid airfare
• Paid housing
• A Rocket Kids uniform
• A living stipend of $25 per day (nearly $2,000 for 12 weeks of service)

Living the experience

HFC English instructor Dr. Courtney Matthews is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for Local 1650. Her union has offered to sponsor two HFC students interested in participating in the Rocket Kids program. The decision of which students to fund will be based on both need and merit.

“I don’t want students who are interested in Rocket Kids but cannot afford those last few items not to apply,” she said. “This is where 1650 comes in. The union will pay for two students to get a passport, get a uniform, and undergo CPR training.”

Every student accepted will be enrolled in the Rocket Kids Staff Development Program. Student placement is contingent upon acceptable completion of this program, which will be a transformational learning experience focused on the child and youth development setting. You will learn Rocket Kids program values, leadership, program development skills, and knowledge associated with child and youth development.

You will gain practical experience in programming and leadership, health and wellness, creative and performing arts, cultural and literary arts, team and individual sports, adventure and outdoor recreation, STEM, and character education. You will learn the necessary skills to effectively guide children and youth on a daily basis.

UT will be responsible for all students, including HFC students, while you are overseas.

Rocket Kids has undergone tremendous growth in only one year

Students from nearly 25 different educational institutions have participated in Rocket Kids program, including Lansing Community College. Rocket Kids has experienced tremendous growth in just one year. In 2023, the program trained 23 interns from three different educational institutions. Rocket Kids interns were stationed on six different military bases overseas and worked with 12 different childcare programs.

For 2024, Rocket Kids is projected to train 110 interns from 24 different educational institutions. Interns will be stationed on nearly 10 different military bases overseas and will work with 17 childcare programs.

Matthews participated in Camp Adventure, a program similar to Rocket Kids, during her undergraduate days at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL. She spoke fondly about that experience.

“I went to Stuttgart, Germany. It was truly a life-changing experience. It was my first time traveling abroad. With the more experienced students, we would take the train to surrounding European countries on the weekends. It exposed me to so much that I would never have been exposed to otherwise. Since then, I’ve been to more than 30 countries,” recalled Matthews.

She pointed out that Rocket Kids would be a great fit for students of all majors, in education and beyond. Students who graduate from HFC in the spring and are transferring to 4-year educational institutions in the fall may also participate in Rocket Kids during the summer term.

“There are so many benefits to be gained by going through this program,” said Matthews. “You do not have to be an education major to be a Rocket Kids intern. Students of all majors thoroughly enjoyed their experience and want to go back.”

Rocket Kids terms for 2024 and the summer of 2025

Rocket Kids is accepting applications now for the following terms:

• Fall A term (August 21 through October 21)
• Fall B term (October 23 through December 23)
• Spring A term (January 8, 2025 through March 16, 2025)
• Spring B term (March 18, 2025 through June 1, 2025)
• Summer term (June 3, 2025 through August 17, 2025)

“Rocket Kids is a life-changing experience that will last a lifetime,” said Spann, Matthews’ mentor. “Students will make an impact on others while exploring the world.”

For questions or more information about participating in Rocket Kids, contact utrocketkids@utoledo.edu. For information about assistance from Local 1650 to participate, contact Matthews at cahenderson2@hfcc.edu.