UPDATE on Camps & Academies!

We are currently in Week 4 of 7 for our Summer Camps and Career Academies, and it has been an exciting and successful summer. Our three Career Academies have 27 students participating in our earn-as-you-learn, pre-apprenticeship programs, where students continue to build both technical skills and the workplace attributes employers value.

Last Thursday, academy students participated in a Business Immersion Day centered on "Careers on Our Waterways." Students visited the Mackinac Bridge Authority, Kokosing Marine Construction, and Walstrom Marine, where they learned about each organization's operations, explored a variety of career opportunities, and heard directly from employers about the skills and qualities they seek in future employees. It was an outstanding day that gave students a firsthand look at careers available right here in Northern Michigan.

Academy students have also earned several industry-recognized certifications, including CPR/First Aid, Snap-on Precision Measuring, Lockout/Tagout, Ladder Safety, Scissor Lift, Forklift, and Confined Space Safety, with additional certification opportunities still ahead in the coming weeks.

Our summer camps continue to provide incredible hands-on learning experiences, with more than 100 students participating so far. One of our newest offerings, Mapped Out: Surveying & Geospatial Technology, developed in partnership with Northwestern Michigan College, has been a tremendous success. Students flew drones at 400 feet, operated underwater robotic vehicles through a simulator, built their own underwater robots, learned to use a compass, created maps to scale, and spent time outdoors surveying with professionals from MDOT while learning about careers in the field.

These are just a few examples of the engaging, career-connected experiences our students are enjoying this summer. Every camp has created memorable learning opportunities, and we continue to hear incredible stories of students discovering new interests, building confidence, and exploring future career pathways.