The campus of Central Michigan University had some unusual residents lurking around last week.

The second annual Grandparents U, a three-day summer camp, brought 111 CMU alumni and their grandchildren ages eight to 12 to share and experience college life.

“We think everything is going good,” said Anne Galgoczi, assistant director of Alumni Relations. “Everyone is impressed with the residence halls and the dining commons. They are a lot different from when the grandparents were here.”

The residence halls can be a big change from the children’s rooms at home.

“My room is empty and nice,” said Kelsey Linkous, a 9-year-old from Rossford, Ohio.

The camp lets grandparents and grandchildren experience many highlights of CMU’s campus, including activities at the SAC, the rock climbing wall and 24 hands-on educational sessions put on by faculty members.

“I took ‘The Joy of Chemistry.’ It was fun,” said Nick Bills, 11, of Fenton. “We made liquid nitrogen ice cream and elephant’s tooth paste.”

Zachary Post, 11, of Fenton, participated in ‘Get Wet! Fish Sampling Techniques.’

“I was the first one to catch a bullhead,” he said.

Many of the children checked out the SAC and the rock-climbing wall on their first night on campus.

Kelly Leavy, a 9-year-old from Petoskey, climbed the wall five times.

“The best part about it is getting to the top,” she said.

Post went swimming and plans on going bowling.

The staff of CMU has had to prepare for these new arrivals on campus. Galgoczi said that the staff has been very accommodating and it’s been a good experience for everyone.

Getting that full college experience is the goal of Grandparents U, but it is also about the time shared between the grandparents and grandchildren.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with my grandma,” Leavy said.

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E-mail the author: Todd Betzold