Coastal Carolina University is offering a summer program designed for rising third through eighth graders from June 12 through July 28. Registration is advised before June 1.

Hands-on, interactive courses include scrapbooking, theater production, marine science, fitness, physical science, beading and jewelry making, ecology, outdoor adventure, golf, biology, musical theater, dance, poetry, digital photography, tennis and more.

The summer programs are offered through Coastal's Center for Education and Community. Half-day classes are from 9 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 4 p.m.; full-day classes are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before class childcare (7:45-8:45 a.m.) and after class (4 to 5:30 p.m.) childcare is available at additional cost. Registration fees vary according to length and content of courses, with fees beginning at $85 per student. Transportation for all field trips is provided by the university. Parents, siblings and friends are invited for the last half hour/hour of class on Fridays to observe what students have done during the class week.

The classes are taught by Coastal instructors, Horry County teachers and community experts. For more information or to register, call 349-2665 or visit www.coastal.edu/cec/mini.html on the Internet. Some of the classes being offered include:

Arts and Crafts Basic animation Beading and jewelry making Birds and butterflies Scrapbooking Exploration of Japan's art and culture Technology Digital photography (two age levels) Outdoor adventures Games, rope course, survival fishing Performing Arts Introduction to musical theater Interpretive acting Hip-Hop, African dance and step Science Marine science biology/ecology Creepy Crawlies Invention Studio Sports golf tennis