North Campus Open House Highlights Role of Hobbies, Careers

A full range of fun and educational activities are on tap for the Fifth Annual Hobby Day/Open House at Pennsylvania College of Technology's North Campus on Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The North Campus is located on Route 6 between Wellsboro and Mansfield.

Hobby Day/Open House is free and open to the public and aims to show how hobbies and careers play an important role in a meaningful, rewarding life. Many of the hobbies and activities to be featured are linked to the two- and four-year degree programs available at Penn College.

"Hobbyists certainly love what they do and rewarding careers are built on that concept too," commented Dr. Ted Nichols, assistant dean for North Campus. "Aside from just having a good time, one of the goals of Hobby Day is to demonstrate how fun learning can be when we are involved in doing what interests us. This is one of the secrets to Penn College's success because Penn College students are uniquely engaged in fields and programs that interest and excite them. Further, they find it rewarding to apply classroom learning in solving practical, real world problems."

Among the activities on tap are rocket launches at 1 and 3 p.m. by the 4th Gap Rocketeers, Endless Mountains & Lumber Heritage Park presentations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Cushing's Battery A, 4th U.S. Light Artillery giving "living history" demonstrations of Civil War artillery firing techniques with full-sized Civil-war era cannons, artillery drills, and sabre drills.

Other organizations on hand for the event include: Stump Jumpers Remote Control Airplanes, Northern Tier Cultural Alliance, Philately (stamp collecting), Dirtmasters Radio Control Cars, Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild, Tioga County Amateur Radio Club, and Sunken Treasure Scuba Center. Other hobbies featured will be dolls and doll houses, bear collections, arts and crafts, and a motorcycle club safety exhibit.

Children are invited to bring their kites to fly on the beautiful 40-acre campus. Visitors can enter their hobbies in a "best hobby" contest and compete in a cross-word puzzle contest. Door prizes and a food and bake sale will round-out the offerings.

Alumni are encouraged to attend the event and re-connect with friends and faculty.

Information will be available on Penn College majors in the Schools of Business and Computer Technologies, Construction and Design Technologies, Health Sciences, Hospitality, Industrial and Engineering Technologies, Integrated Studies, Natural Resources Management, and Transportation Technology. Visitors also can learn about continuing education and distance learning opportunities.

For more information on the North Campus Hobby Day/Open House, contact the campus at (570) 724-7703.