The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation is launching a series of free Career and Technical Education summer camps designed to give rising 6th through 9th grade students across the district hands-on exposure to high-demand career fields.
The camps, which will run from 9 a.m. to noon, span topics including artificial intelligence, engineering, construction, criminal justice, web design and emergency medical response. They will be held at schools throughout Okaloosa County.
Camp offerings include:
- AI Masterminds: Innovate with Intelligence at Fort Walton Beach High School
- NextGen Engineers: Build the Future at Niceville High School
- Builder Academy: Building Tomorrow at Meigs Middle School
- Justice Leaders: Lead with Integrity at Baker School
- Web Explorers: Explore. Design. Launch. at Shoal River Middle School
- Creative Coders: Design the Web at Davidson Middle School
- EMR: Start Your Rescue Skills at Crestview High School
- EMR: Jump into Action at Crestview High School
The foundation’s sponsorship helps cover camp supplies and snacks for participants. The two EMR camps are also supported by a partnership with The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, which helps expand opportunities for students interested in healthcare and emergency response careers.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation for investing in opportunities that inspire and prepare our students for the future,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. “These Career and Technical Education summer camps provide students with hands-on, real-world experiences in high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence, engineering, construction, public safety, web design, and emergency medical response.”
Chambers said the camps are aimed at helping students discover their interests early.
“By exposing students to these career pathways at an early age, we are helping them discover their passions, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce,” he said. “I also want to sincerely thank our dedicated teachers and staff who are giving their time during the summer to lead these camps and create meaningful learning experiences for our students. Their passion and commitment continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of children across Okaloosa County.”
All camps are free and open to students on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited, and registration deadlines apply. Transportation will not be provided.
Families can register by visiting the CTE website or clicking on individual camp names linked to registration forms. For more information, contact Morena Mannucci with the Okaloosa County School District Career and Technical Education Department at Morena.Mannucci@Okaloosaschools.com.
