Operation Exploration – HANDS-ON Career Camps Are Back!

CMJTS was excited to once again host summer career exploration camps starting in the summer of 2021 in partnership with Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia and the Mille Lacs Band In the summer of 2022, four camps have already been held. Healthcare careers was the focus in Monticello.  Willmar held two camps -one in healthcare and one in the trades. The fourth was in Pine County located at the 49rs Union Training Center focusing on a variety of trades through partnership with additional Union Training Centers. A total of 50 youth have benefited so far through their participation. There will be one additional trades focused camp in Monticello to be held in late in July.

These camps would not have been possible without the dedication and passion of Youth Program Manager Diana Ristamaki, the youth team at CMJTS, and all of those who donated time, money, and resources. Please see the donor recognition flyer below for more details.

How do you know at a young age what you want to do? Opportunities for young people to experience different careers with hands-on activities are priceless. It allows youth to try out careers they may not have thought of or may help them avoid wasting tuition on a career that isn’t a fit for them.  Staff asked participants for their thoughts on the camp experience, and they shared the quotes below.

What were your favorite activities?

• “Dentistry – the mouth speech game nursing home – wheel chair thing, EMT – the carrier thing, and the recruiters that came to camp.”
• “Hydro dipping, auto-body, and simulation welding.”
• “I really enjoyed the hands-on activities. My favorite was when we were able to practice taking shots (IV) on the dummies (it was on the first day).” 

My favorite thing about camp; “Meeting new people. Those being new peers and valuable contacts for the future.” – youth participant

Would you recommend camp to another youth?

• “Yes, I really would tell that this is really fun and important info.”
• “Yes, I would recommend the camp to others so they can have the experience of seeing trade work sites and experience hands on with different trades.”
• “Yes, I recommend to others cause you meet people and do a bunch of cool stuff and get a lot of stuff.”
• “I would recommend to others because I think the camp will help people figure out more about the medical field (get to know what specific areas they would want to be in). It will also help those who are trying to explore different careers.”