Middle school and high school students can join the craze to learn about careers in healthcare and energy at West Kentucky Community and Technical College beginning in June.
The two free, hands-on Career Craze camps are for students ages 12 to 15 to discover their passion for the healthcare and energy fields.
"This is the first time we've offered camps like this for our area youth thanks to a grant funded through Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson's office," said Kevin O'Neill, WKCTC continuing education coordinator. "These camps will offer a fun and educational experience with hands-on learning for all who participate."
"So You Want to Work in Healthcare" will be held on June 3-6 in the Allied Health Building, room W-107. Students will learn about programs such as nursing, physical therapy, surgical technology, dental hygiene/assisting, phlebotomy and more. The maximum enrollment for the camp is 25.
Margaret Johnson and Laura Durbin, WKCTC assistant professors of nursing, will be the leaders for the healthcare camp. Students will be divided into five groups for hands-on experiences with simulation and moulage (wounds blood, etc.), suturing sponge or other simulated object. WKCTC physical therapy assistant students will be on hand to share their experiences; campers will also learn from area healthcare professionals during tours of local hospitals and physical therapy facilities.
WKCTC Applied Technologies Coordinator David Franklin will teach "Exploring Energy & Alternative Energy Careers" on June 17-20 in the Emerging Technology Center, room 216. The maximum enrollment in the energy camp is 20.
Students will have the opportunity to tour two energy plants to learn how electric energy is produced. Representatives from the local uranium enrichment plant will present hands-on demonstrations; campers will visit a local power utility to learn how the electric grid works and learn how electricity gets to their homes. On the WKCTC campus, students will also learn from WKCTC faculty about alternative energy options. They will have hands-on activities on how a generator works, explore wind and solar energy and learn what it takes to have a career in the energy industry.
Both camps will be held Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon.
College representatives will be on hand on Thursday during both camps to answer questions as well as encourage the camp participants to look to WKCTC as their next step in their education process after high school.
Space is limited. Call (270) 534-3335 to register. For more information about the Career Craze camps, contact Kevin O'Neill at (270) 534-3206.
