April 5, 2022
Submitted by the South Dakota Board of Regents
Registration open to incoming 7th and 8th graders
South Dakota middle school students will have an opportunity to participate in free, five-day career exploration camps this summer. Hosted on three South Dakota college campuses, the Dakota Dreams Career Exploration Summer Camps will allow incoming 7th and 8th grade students to experience at least 10 different career paths.
“The career camps give students a chance to dive in, explore their interests, and start thinking about possible careers at a critical age,” said South Dakota Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson. “By showing students the possibilities in their own backyard and beyond, we can help them chart a path for their future.”
Participating students will be immersed in engaging, hands-on learning. Throughout the week, they’ll spend time on university and technical college campuses and visit area businesses and industry. By week’s end, campers will have a better understanding of themselves, their career interests, and how their K-12 education prepares them for professions.
“Sometimes the road toward college can feel difficult while students work to transform their dreams into careers,” said Dr. Janice Minder, South Dakota Board of Regents vice president for academic policy and planning. “The career exploration camps offer students the chance to start early and explore a number of different career paths – and learn the necessary steps to turn their interests into a career reality.”
In the summer of 2022, three camps will be offered:
Each camp will accept 50 participants. The deadline to apply is May 1. If availability is limited at a particular site, preference will be given to students with need. Students will be notified of acceptance via email the week of May 16, 2022.
Learn more about the Dakota Dreams Career Exploration Summer Camps and apply at ourdakotadreams.com/summercamp.
The Dakota Dreams Career Exploration Summer Camps are a partnership of the South Dakota Board of Regents, South Dakota technical colleges, South Dakota businesses and industry, and the South Dakota Department of Education (DOE). The opportunity is funded with federal dollars available to DOE through the American Rescue Plan Act.