Traveling 1,000 miles.
Dressing bed sores.
Financial literacy.
About three dozen rising eighth graders and high school freshmen completed a wide range of topics and activities during three weeks at Northeastern Technical College’s Trailblazer Camp to show them the lay of the land for their futures.
From June 3-21, students from Dillon and Marlboro Counties attended a series of lectures, demonstrations, and field trips aimed at introducing the worlds of advanced manufacturing and medical fields along with life coaching advice such as planning for the future, from education to finances.
“Empowering students as young as 13- and 14-years old now with knowledge about what future holds for them pursing in-demand skills lays the foundation for a future where they can shape industries and communities,” said NETC President Dr. Kyle Wagner.
Camps were hosted at NETC’s Marlboro Campus in Bennettsville and Dillon High School.
Receiving certificates at Marlboro County, Ranaviah McNeil, Z’Kiyyah Smith, Makenzie Chavis, Leighianna Williams, Darriana Davis, Kamiya Grady, Lebrandon Henegan, Lamontrae Bright, Dallas McQueen Jr., Marcus Bostic, Antwon Young, and Najee Truesdale.
At Dillon County, Anthony Barr, Briahna McCray, Kendra Townsend, Jaslyn Jones, Johniyah Townsend, Destiny Tyson, Bre’Asia Gillespie, Braxton Cook, Da’skaya Felton, Noah Singletary, Kadence Rose, Tiasharee McLaughlin, Navae Johnson-German, Sanaa Hodge, Jadyn McCollum, Sabriyah Odom, Aaliyah Jordan, Santashia Brown, A’saria Grice, Janiya Quick, Quinton Johnson, Mariah Cridland, Samaria Pittman, and Jonas Page.
Some days were in a classroom setting playing NFL-based video games where plays were determined by answering questions in finances.
NETC medical assistant students worked one-on-one with those in the Allied Health tract teaching how to read blood pressure – including hands-on class about dressing bedsores on a training dummy.
Students also traveled during camp visiting Boeng in North Charleston, the S.C. State House in Columbia, and Team Penske in Mooresville, N.C.
At the end of the three weeks, the students were recognized for completing the camp in either workforce or Allied Nursing.
NETC’s Trailblazer Camp is designed to expose young students to high demand and high wage careers available close to home and without the debt burden of a four-year university, said Dr. Wagner.
“It is crucial for eighth graders and high school freshmen to begin exploring the industrial workforce. Our summer camp provides them with early exposure to real-world career opportunities and helps young students develop an understanding of the essential skills that are highly valued and needed,” he said.
Parents interested in seeing a NETC Summer Camp in their area can call 800.921.7399.
