Summer College Aspiration Programs
Central Maine Community College is excited to offer a variety of programs for area youth to experience life on a college campus this summer! Programs range from science to social media and forensics to athletics; the schedule holds something for everyone.
All Summer College Aspiration Program participants receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt as part of their registration!
Click Here to Register a Participant
Program Descriptions
ick on the program name below to view the program details and descriptions. Click here if you’d prefer to see the program listing in a digital booklet.
JUNE 2025
Inside Out!Inside Out!
$25
Monday, 6/23 • 9am – 12pm • Ages 12-14
Led by Human Services Department Chair Anne St. Pierre
Get ready for a summer adventure filled with emotions, creativity, and making a difference! We’ll start with a quick peek into exciting careers in helping professions before a screening of the animated favorite Inside Out. Popcorn will be available. After the movie, we’ll explore how our emotions shape who we are and how we connect with others. Then, you can unleash your creativity by designing emotional support kits packed with stress-relief goodies and uplifting messages. Take a kit home to share with someone special, and together we’ll donate the rest to a local social services agency. It’s a fun, hands-on way to learn, give back, and leave feeling inspired.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 15 participants.
Creative Writing
$25
Monday, 6/23 • 9am – 3:30pm • Ages 11-17
Led by Humanities Department Chair Jessica Smith
Calling all storytellers, poets, and creative minds! Let your imagination run wild at CMCC’s Creative Writing Day Camp. This is your chance to dive into the world of storytelling like never before. We’ll break the day into three awesome sections: poetry, fiction, and nonfiction – each packed with examples from literary legends, hands-on writing challenges, and fast-paced creative games to keep your ideas flowing. Come ready to write, share, and have fun with fellow young writers. Your next great idea starts here!
Lunch will be provided by the CMCC Dining Commons. Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 20 participants.
Introduction to Esports
$25
Monday-Wednesday, 6/23 – 6/25 • 8am – 12pm • Ages 13-17
Led by Esports Coordinator Andrew Garza
Introduction to Esports will cover some of the most popular competitive esports games, including Valorant, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Rocket League, and Overwatch 2. No previous experience necessary. This three-day course is designed to teach kids about good habits for improving esports skills like time management, communication, and teamwork, with instruction from Andrew Garza – a three-time national champion Call of Duty player and a member of the national Scholastic Esports Directors Committee.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 20 participants.
How Did These Bananas Get Here?
$35
Tuesday, 6/24 • 1pm – 4pm • Ages 10-17
Led by Business Faculty Mike Henry and Maria D’Auria
Join us to learn about supply chains that get produce from around the globe to Maine – with the banana as a prime example. You’ll explore questions like where the bananas originate from, why they’re consistently so inexpensive compared to other produce, what are the steps involved to get to the Pine Tree State – all while enjoying some bananas of your own.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 20 participants.
JULY 2025
Mechanical Codes and Food SafetyMechanical Codes and Food Safety
$25
Monday, 7/7 • 8:30am – 12pm • Ages 12-17
Led by Heating & Plumbing Department Chair Marc Gilbert and Culinary Arts Department Chair Austin Perreault
This program is all about the importance of food safety, and building and mechanical codes. Get a behind the scenes look at the importance of properly installing and maintaining HVAC and refrigeration systems. You’ll learn about how things can be badly wrong when food safety rules are not followed or systems are not kept up to code.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 20 participants.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate Esports Program
$25
Monday-Wednesday, 7/7 – 7/9 • 8am – 12pm • Ages 13-18
Led by Esports Coordinator Andrew Garza
Are you the best Super Smash Bros Ultimate player in your friend group? Feel like you’ve run out of challenging competition? CMCC’s SSBU specific esports camp will cover all the intricacies to help you become a top competitor in the game. Get one-on-one coaching from top-100 players in the state and experienced Smash event organizers over three days. Topics will include getting comfortable with your controller, finding the right main to fit your play style, and understanding the strengths and weaknesses around every character.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 15 participants.
Boys Basketball Skills Clinic
$150
Monday – Wednesday, 7/7 – 7/9 • 9am – 12pm • Ages 7-12
Led by CMCC Men’s Basketball Coach Dave Gonyea
This camp is open to boys basketball players looking to learn and improve skills in the basics of the game. CMCC coach Dave Gonyea and Mustangs players will take younger athletes through a variety of drills focused on dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding, and defending, all in a fun atmosphere!
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt.
Computer Build & Play
$25
Thursday, 7/10 • 10am – 3:30pm • Ages 10-17
Led by CMCC Computer Technology Faculty and Esports Team Coordinator
Interested in learning how to put together your own computer for gaming? CMCC Computer Technology faculty Chris Thoma and Brett Bisesti will walk you through the basics of assembling your own PC and joining a network, before playing a Rocket League group match in our state-of-the-art Esports Arena!
Lunch will be provided by the CMCC Dining Commons. Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 15 participants.
Learning Laser Cutting
$35
Monday, 7/14 • 10am – 3pm • Ages 10-17
Led by CMCC Architectural Studies Department Chair, Tim Braun
Interested in learning about laser cutting? Join Architectural Studies professor Timothy Braun for a one-day camp learning the basics. Then choose from a variety of projects and materials before using CMCC’s laser cutter to cut out and assemble your own design!
Lunch will be provided by the CMCC Dining Commons. Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 10 participants.
Valorant Esports Gaming
$25
Monday-Wednesday, 7/14 – 7/16 • 8am – 12pm • Ages 15-18
Led by Esports Coordinator Andrew Garza
These three days are designed specifically for Valorant players. Get instruction from Esports Coordinator Andrew Garza and the Mustangs Esports Valorant team, fresh off of winning an ECAC national championship. Gamers will go in-depth on the complexities of the game, exploring the nuances of map strategies, in-game decision making, and the psychological aspects of maintaining focus and composure to compete at your best.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 15 participants.
Fun with Forensics
$35
Tuesday, 7/15 • 8:30am – 11:30am • Ages 10-17
Led by CMCC Public Service & Social Sciences Department Chair, Matt Tifft
Looking for a hands-on introduction to the world of forensic science? Then this is the program for you! Campers will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the way crime scenes are processed by investigating, fingerprinting, and using alternative light sources to collect and process evidence. This scenario will contain elements of psychology and conservation law.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 15 participants.
Wooden Car Derby
$50
Tuesday/Wednesday, 7/15 – 7/16 • 10am – 4pm • Ages 8-15
Led by CMCC Faculty in Automotive Technology, Graphic Communications, Building Construction Technology, and Precision Machining Technology
Rev up your (wooden) engines and take to the track for this summer’s CM wooden car derby! Participants will design, create, decorate, and ultimately race their miniature cars to determine who has the fastest build in this two-day event. You’ll work with the Automotive Technology, Precision Machine Tooling, and Building Construction Technology programs to design and carve out your car from wood, head over to Graphic Communications to decorate them in the coolest fashion, before racing them on the downhill track against your fellow competitors to determine a winner!
Lunch will be provided by the CMCC Dining Commons. Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 12 participants.
Advanced Esports Play
$25
Monday-Wednesday, 7/21 – 7/23 • 8am – 12pm • Ages 15-18
Led by Esports Coordinator Andrew Garza
If you are an experienced esports player looking to take your game to the next level, then this is the program for you. National championship winning player and coach Andrew Garza will take gamers through a three-day course focused on in-depth strategy and nuanced game play across a series of esports titles including Valorant, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Rocket League, and Overwatch 2. Explore a focused look at tournament play and one-on-one coaching to improve skills that will translate across a host of games.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 20 participants.
High School Boys Basketball Shooting Clinic
$150
Monday – Wednesday, 7/21 – 7/23 • 6pm – 8pm • Ages 14-18
Led by CMCC Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dave Gonyea
Are you a high school boys basketball player looking to take your shooting game to the next level? This three-night camp offers the guidance you need to improve your skills. CMCC Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dave Gonyea and current Mustangs players will take athletes through a variety of drills and one-on-one attention, to emphasize shooting technique and style to help you find your perfect form.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt.
Girls Youth Soccer Clinic
$150
Monday – Wednesday, 7/21 – 7/23 • 6pm – 8:30pm • Ages 10-14
Led by CMCC Women’s Soccer Head Coach Rob Rodriguez
This camp is open to girls soccer players looking to help improve their skills, with three sessions over three evenings on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. CMCC Women’s Soccer coaches will take athletes through a wide array of skills and drills, focusing on footwork, passing, shooting, defending, and introducing players to basic team tactics.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 60 participants.
Be a Healthcare Hero!
$35
Wednesday, 7/23 • 9am – 3pm • Ages 12-18
Led by CMCC Education and Nursing Department Chairs
This camp is all about exploring the world of healthcare and discovering what it’s like to be a nurse. Participants will learn about different healthcare jobs, what nurses do, and how teamwork and communication are super important in healthcare. Practice taking vital signs, learn about hand hygiene, and play some cool games to test your skills. At the end of the day, we’ll put everything we’ve learned to the test in a fun escape room challenge.
Lunch will be provided by the CMCC Dining Commons. Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 12 participants.
Science is Magic!
$35
Thursday, 7/24 • 9am – 12pm • Ages 10-15
Led by CMCC Faculty in Life Sciences
Calling all future magicians and scientists! Join the Life Sciences faculty for an exciting morning in the lab where we will investigate mysterious color changes, mix chemicals, and may play with a bit of fire! Fun and safety will be our top priorities so please make sure to come dressed in long pants and sneakers.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt. This program is limited to 15 participants.
Girls Youth Soccer Clinic
$150
Monday – Wednesday, 7/28 – 7/30 • 6pm – 8:30pm • Ages 10-14
Led by CMCC Men’s Soccer Head Coach Dalton Wing
This camp is open to boys soccer players looking to help improve their skills, with three sessions over three evenings on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. CMCC Men’s Soccer coaches will take athletes through a wide array of skills and drills, focusing on footwork, passing, shooting, defending, and introducing players to basic team tactics.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt.
AUGUST 2025
Elite High School Girls Soccer CampElite High School Girls Soccer Camp
$350
Friday – Sunday, 8/8 – 8/10 OVERNIGHT
Led by CMCC Women’s Soccer Head Coach Rob Rodriguez
CMCC Women’s Soccer Head Coach and YSCC Coach of the Year Rob Rodriguez hosts this three-day, two-night camp geared towards girls soccer players looking to play in college. Camp runs from Friday night to Sunday at noon, and players will live and train like a college team for the weekend while working on elite level skills and tactics. Off-field sessions will include how to get recruited, what college coaches look for in players, and how to break down game video. Also features a Q&A with current college players. Players will need to be dropped off at 6pm on Friday, August 8 and picked up by 12pm on Sunday, August 10.
Each participant will receive a 2025 CMCC Summer Program t-shirt.