Career Exploration Summer Camps

Explorers Wanted

Discover up to a dozen different career paths. Meet other students from across the state. Get hands-on experience that’s worth exploring at Our Dakota Dreams Summer Career Exploration Camps.

Calling all South Dakota Middle School Students

Students entering 7th and 8th grade in the 2025-2026 school year can participate in free, five-day residential career exploration camps this summer. Hosted on South Dakota college campuses, these camps expose students to various career paths through fun, engaging and hands-on learning. Throughout the week, campers will spend time with instructors, take field trips to area businesses, participate in interactive exercises and more, gaining a better understanding of themselves, their career interests and how their education prepares them for professions.

group of students

2025 Career Camp Dates, Locations & Details

June 15-19, 2025 | University of South Dakota + Southeast Technical College
July 6-10, 2025 | Black Hills State University + South Dakota Mines + Western Dakota Technical College
July 13-17, 2025 | Black Hills State University + South Dakota Mines + Western Dakota Technical College
July 13-17, 2025 | Dakota State University + Mitchell Technical College
July 13-17, 2025 | Northern State University + Lake Area Technical College
July 13-17, 2025 | South Dakota State University + Lake Area Technical College

2025 Application Now Open!

The application period will run mid-February through the end of March. Applicants will receive an email from Our Dakota Dreams by the end of April to see if they’ve been accepted.

2025 Camp Application

What to Expect

  • Exposure to careers through hands-on learning.
  • Three full days on a university campus.
  • A day trip to an area technical college.
  • Tours of area businesses and conversations.
  • Transportation to and from off-campus field trip sites.
  • On-campus housing (four nights) in a university residential hall.
  • Campus dining facilities (all meals, snacks and drinks included).
  • Evening recreational and social activities.
  • 24/7 representative supervision.

Sample Schedule

Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday

HELP US PROMOTE THE CAMPS

To help promote the summer camps, download the free marketing toolkit below. It includes promotional social posts and an email template targeted at parents and students. Please click below to download your toolkit.

Download Toolkit

More Summer Camp Opportunities

There are other career camps offered from various institutions and organizations throughout the state. These career camps give students from a variety of grade levels opportunities to explore and experience careers firsthand.

Career Camps

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