Is your son or daughter going to be the next Minecraft developer? Should Hell’s Kitchen Chef Gordon Ramsay get ready to be replaced? This summer, Blackhawk Technical College is offering a new, innovative summer camp series titled Skills Today – Careers Tomorrow for students in grades 7-10.

Organized into six camp sessions, Skills Today – Careers for Tomorrow is an opportunity to get a first taste of college while also learning about some of the region’s high demand fields – all within BTC’s world-class facilities. Cost to attend a Skills Today – Careers for Tomorrow camp session is just $50.00 per student and thanks to the generous contributions of Kerry Ingredients, SSI Technologies and Frito Lay, a limited number of scholarships will be available for families that qualify.

Registration for any of the Skills Today – Careers for Tomorrow sessions begin May 1st. Interested campers can register by going to blackhawk.edu and clicking on the camp link, located under the events tab.

Sessions offered for Skills Today – Careers for Tomorrow camps include:

Three Exploratory Camps

Location: BTC Central Campus, 6004 S. County Rd. G., Janesville, WI

Dates: June 19-23

June 26-30

July 10-14

Times: 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cost: $50 per session

*Camp activities will be the same each week.

Description: Curious about investigating a crime scene? Want to explore the world of foods? Ever wondered if you have what it takes to be successful in the health field? Each of the three Exploratory Camp sessions are designed to provide students with hands-on learning experiences, exposing them to a range of skills and careers to expand their knowledge and understanding of high demand fields. Some days, students could be working in the culinary lab and others they could be touring a local business to see first-hand what it takes to be successful.

Nuts and Bolts

Location: BTC Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, 15 Plumb St., Milton, WI

Dates: July 17-21

Times: 1-4:30 p.m.

Cost: $50 per session

Description: Prefer to be up and working with your hands? Like to tinker? Ever take gadgets apart and then put them back together? Located in one of Wisconsin’s premier manufacturing training facilities, this introductory manufacturing camp will teach basic design skills, how to operate specialized machinery and explore the wide range of traditional and high tech tools used within the industry. The week also includes tours of several local manufacturing facilities to help students learn more about the types of careers that exist in the area.

Bon Appetite

Location: BTC Central Campus, 6004 S. County Rd. G., Janesville, WI

Dates: July 24-28

Times: 1-4:30 p.m.

Cost: $50 per session

Description: Hooked on TV chef shows? Spend your free time watching the Food Network? Love to show off in the kitchen? Cooking is more than a necessary life skill--it’s also an opportunity for a career. This exciting, interactive, course teaches basic skills in food preparation for various occasions. The best part—you get to eat what you create! Tours of local businesses will be a part of this session.

Game Designing/Coding

Location: BTC Central Campus, 6004 S. County Rd. G., Janesville, WI

Dates: July 31- August 4

Times: 1-4:30 p.m.

Cost: $50 per session

Description: Why spend your time just playing when you can also create? Video games and interactive media comprise a growing $20 billion dollar industry with a range of jobs in game design, animation, music, programming, marketing, technical support and more. Students can experience hands-on learning focused on skill development while exposing them to the range of career opportunities in the field of game design and coding

For more information about any of the offerings within the Skills Today – Careers for Tomorrow program, contact Kerry Osmond, Community Enrichment Coordinator at 608-757-7728 or at kosmond1@blackhawk.edu.

In addition to Kerry Ingredients, SSI Technologies and Frito Lay, BTC would like to thank its additional camp partners including Hendricks CareerTek, Dollar General, Bushel & Peck, Beloit Club and Hedberg Library.

About Blackhawk Technical College

Blackhawk Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System. BTC has five campus locations in Monroe, Milton, Beloit and Janesville, WI offering more than 50 programs including two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas.