Gardner enrolment climbing
By Dan Jensen

Gardner College, a Centre for Christian Studies, will be offering instruction to more than 70 students when it begins a new year of classes September 7.

"We are expecting to have another good year," said Gardner College president Donnalyn Froese last week.

"We really can't wait to get started."

Thirty to thirty-five of the students will be taking classes at the Camrose campus, while 16 will be taking classes full-time at the Red Deer campus.

Distance Education

Twenty-four students were enrolled, as of last week, in Gardner's early childhood development or theology distance education programs.

The early childhood development program continues to be Gardner's most popular offering. The program addresses the development of children from birth to age eight   years of age, including their learning and care. Required courses emphasize observation of children, child health, the value of learning through play, child behaviours, communications, family and community resources. Experience is provided by hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities and practical activities at supervised community sites, such as day cares, pre-schools and/or kindergarten classes.

"Our Kids' Campus Day Care, which is licenced by Children and Youth Services of the Government of Alberta, has certainly made a difference in the number of students who enroll in the early childhood development program," said Froese.

"It has been open a year now and has been running very smoothly."

The theology programs give students the background to work in churches or other types of Christian ministry.

"We have a lot of students who are working in church settings while doing intensive studies in the theology program, said Froese.

The four-year Bachelor of Theology program offers 127 hours of study, including 33 hours of practicum. Majors include pastoral ministry, children's ministry and youth ministry, while minors include Christian ministry, youth ministry and Christian education missions.

The three-year Bachelor of Religious Education program includes training in early childhood development and child and youth care.

It also requires students to complete 34 hours of theological studies.

A one-year bible and missions certificate program provides 30 hours of study, including two missions trips and six hours of field education.

Child and Youth Care Worker Program

Gardner also offers a child and youth care worker program that prepares students to work with mistreated children and youth, and teaches the characteristics of those who are behaviourally disordered. Students study the Young Offenders' Act, learn about health issues related to substance abuse, and survey various treatment methods.

"Much of the growth of the program has to do with the fact that we have partnered with the Open Door in providing housing for youth at risk," said Froese.

"We have three students at least who are working with the Open Door as outreach workers."

Evening courses

Gardner College will once again be offering evening courses in the areas of theology, Christian education and early childhood development.

"We've made it so people in the community can take the courses either for credit or for their own enjoyment," said Froese. "In offering the courses we enrich the experiences of our students because, usually, the people who are coming to take them are mature students who are able to raise the level of their conversations and share their experiences."

Froese said Gardner is becoming stronger as more and more people find out about what  it has to offer.

"Students who come through our doors are able to find jobs easily because companies know that if someone has a Gardner degree they have a good education."