This year's CTE NextGen Summer Camp welcomed 162 students from local school districts for three days of hands-on activities and fun. The camp featured a new format, expanding opportunities to students entering grades 3-6 while continuing to offer sessions for students entering grades 7-10.

Students participated in Agricultural Science, Automotive Technology, Construction Trades, Culinary Arts, Digital Media, Education Occupations, Health Occupations, Welding Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing. Throughout the week, campers built toolboxes, created digital stories, went fishing, learned CPR, made cookies, explored automotive technology, practiced welding skills and took part in dozens of other hands-on activities.

For many students, it was their first opportunity to experience the new CTE expansion. Most sessions were held at the Magnus Center, where campers used the commercial kitchen, health occupations lab, digital media studio, and other specialized learning spaces. Students in Welding Technology and Advanced Manufacturing attended camp at Mid Michigan College's Harrison Campus.

CTE Director Eric Johnson said expanding the camp to younger grade levels helped make the summer experience available to more students.

"The younger students brought a lot of energy and excitement to camp," Johnson said. "It was great to see them trying new activities, learning new skills, and having fun."

The new format proved popular, with many sessions filling quickly and positive feedback from students and families throughout the week.

As the camp wrapped up, participants left with completed projects, new experiences, and memories from three days of hands-on activities. Following the success of this year's program, CTE staff look forward to hosting CTE NextGen Summer Camp again next June.

For more information about the Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District's Career & Technical Education program, please contact CTE Director Eric Johnson at 989.386.9334.