Dakota Dreams Career Exploration Summer Camps
CALLING SOUTH DAKOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
Students who will enter the 7th and 8th grade in fall 2023, will have an opportunity to participate in free five-day career exploration camps this summer. Hosted on South Dakota college campuses, these camps will expose students to various career paths through fun, engaging and hands-on learning. Throughout the week, campers will spend time on university and technical college campuses and visit area businesses to see careers in action. By the end of camp, students will have a better understanding of themselves, their career interests and how their education prepares them for professions.
2023 SUMMER CAMP DATES & LOCATIONS
June 18-22, 2023 | University of South Dakota + Southeast Technical College
June 25-29, 2023 | Black Hills State University + South Dakota Mines + Western Dakota Technical College
July 9-13, 2023 | Black Hills State University + South Dakota Mines + Western Dakota Technical College
July 9-13, 2023 | South Dakota State University + Lake Area Technical College
July 9-13, 2023 | Northern State University + Lake Area Technical College
July 9-13, 2023 | Dakota State University + Mitchell Technical College
2023 SUMMER CAMPS UPDATE
Acceptance and Waitlist notifications have been sent to all 2023 camp applicants via email (sender: Our Dakota Dreams). For those on the waitlist, we will reach out if a spot becomes available.
CURRENT APPLICATION WINDOW IS NOW CLOSED.
The deadline for this years camps has passed, but stay tuned for details on next years camps!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Campers will experience:
- Career paths through hands-on learning.
- Three full days on a university campus.
- A day trip to an area technical college.
- Tours of area businesses and industry leaders.
- 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 counselor supervision.
Sample Camp Schedule
Parents Luncheon – Overview of Program, Schedule, and Activities
Student Lunch, Ice Breaker Activity
Career Pathway Session
Career Pathway Session
Dinner
Recreational and Social Activities
Career Pathway Session
Career Pathway Session
Lunch
Business/Industry Tours
Dinner
Recreational and Social Activities
Transportation to Technical College
Welcome
Career Pathway Session
Lunch
Career Pathway Session
Business/Industry Tours
Dinner
Recreational and Social Activities
Career Pathway Session
Career Pathway Session
Lunch
Business/Industry Tour
Dinner
Recreational and Social Activities
Career Pathway Session
Career Pathway Session
Conclude at 11:15 a.m.
JUNE 18-22, 2023 | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA
The University of South Dakota will partner with Southeast Technical College to provide this camp. Career pathways to be explored are:
- Legal Practice & Law Enforcement
- Graphic Design & Digital Marketing
- Arts in Health
- Teacher Education
- Supply Chain
- Speech Language Pathology & Audiology
- Computer Science
- Health Science & Medicine
- Media Design
- Accounting
- Medical Assistant
- Nursing
JUNE 25-29, 2023 | BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY
Black Hills State University will partner with South Dakota Mines and Western Dakota Technical College to provide this camp. Career pathways to be explored are:
- Teacher Education
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance & Accounting
- Marketing
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Genetics
- Zoology & Animal Biology/Genetics
- Pharmacology
- Plant Sciences & Forest Sciences
- Environmental Sciences & Environmental Engineering
- Geology/Earth Science
- Hydrology & Water Resources
- Biochemistry
- Behavioral Sciences
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Nursing
JULY 9-13, 2023 | BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY
Black Hills State University will partner with South Dakota Mines and Western Dakota Technical College to provide this camp. Career pathways to be explored are:
- Teacher Education
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance & Accounting
- Marketing
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Genetics
- Zoology & Animal Biology/Genetics
- Pharmacology
- Plant Sciences & Forest Sciences
- Environmental Sciences & Environmental Engineering
- Geology/Earth Science
- Hydrology & Water Resources
- Biochemistry
- Behavioral Sciences
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Nursing
JULY 9-13, 2023 | NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY
Northern State University will partner with Lake Area Technical College to provide this camp. Career pathways to be explored are:
- Environmental Science
- Teacher Education
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Coding & Programming
- Graphic Design
- Digital Media
- Exercise Science & Kinesiology
- Lab Scientist
- Banking & Financial Support Services
- Genetic Counseling
- Accounting
- Health Sciences
- Business
- Early Childhood Education & Developmental Disabilities
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
JULY 9-13, 2023 | SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
South Dakota State University will partner with Lake Area Technical College to provide this camp. Career pathways to be explored are:
- Agriculture
- Nursing
- Engineering
- Pharmacy & Allied Health
- Natural Sciences
- Aviation
- Education
- Economics
- Surgical Technology
- Robotics
- Energy Technology
JULY 9-13, 2023 | DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Dakota State University will partner with Mitchell Technical College to provide this camp. Career pathways to be explored are:
- Cyber Operations
- Network Security/Computer Science
- Computer Game Design
- Computer Information Systems
- Business
- Health Information Management
- Elementary & Special Education
- Exercise Sciences
- Digital Arts & Design
- Digital Content Creation
- Natural Sciences
- Robotics & Automated Controls
- WiFi & Broadband
- Nursing
- Radiologic Technology
- Robotic Welding
- Geospatial
- Machining
HELP US PROMOTE THE CAMPS
To help promote the summer camps, a free marketing tool kit has been developed, including promotional social posts & an email template. Please click below to download your tool kit.
PROJECT FUNDING AND STATE SUPPORT
These career exploration summer camps are provided at no expense to K-12 students in South Dakota. This opportunity is being administered by the South Dakota Board of Regents and funded with federal dollars available to the South Dakota Department of Educationthrough the American Rescue Plan.
