2/8/07

Tech Camp gives teens a peek into their future
By Cathy Gilbert

CATHY GILBERT/Manning Times
One of Mary Ann Bassard’s Red Vine virtual enterprise students assists a few of the eighth graders who participated in Tech Camp last Saturday. More than 135 county eighth graders took part in the day-long program designed to give them a chance to experience what the F.E. DuBose Career Center has to offer.

Clarendon County’s eighth graders had a unique opportunity Saturday, to get an insider’s look at what a technical college education might afford them after high school. “Tech Camp 2007” welcomed 135 Clarendon kids for a day of getting up close and personal with the various offerings at F.E. DuBose Career Center.

When Governor Mark Sanford signed the Economic Education Development Act in 2005, he heralded in a sweeping change for how South Carolina schools would focus students’ educational paths.

The bill, known as the EEDA, called for school districts to “lay the foundation for the clusters of study system … (so that students will be able) to complete successfully their individual graduation plans, preparing them for a seamless transition to relevant employment, further training, or postsecondary study.”

In lay terms, schools must now guide each student on a pre-determined career path so that they are working toward a post-high school goal. Whether that be to college, technical school or directly to the workforce is up to the individual student and their individual curriculum will be tailored to that goal.

According to John Roveri, assistant director of the F.E DuBose Career Center, Tech Camp was both a way for parents to become aware of what was available at the campus, as well as students to get some early exposure to the array of “career paths” that are open to them.

“We had all our technical programs running and students were able to attend four different 45-minues classes,” Roveri explained. “They listed their top four choices and we were able to get every student in at least their first and second choices.”

From business computer applications to health science technology classes and everything in between, the eighth graders got to have a hands-on exposure to the campus’ offerings.

“This was an investment in education,” Roveri said. “We know these eighth graders are going to have to form these plans by the end of the year and we picked this time to hold Tech Camp because they are just about to lay out those individual graduation plans that the EEDA calls for. We hope Tech Camp will help them form those plans.”

All of the teachers involved in Tech Camp volunteered their time on Saturday and about 50 F.E. DuBose students also volunteered to be classroom assistants and help with lunch and registration.
“I am really pleased with the response,” Roveri added. “This will become an annual event for us.”

Parents in Clarendon County have the added bonus of having the county’s career center linked with a technical college.

“High school kids who take advantage of our offerings here can actually leave high school with nearly a year of college under their belts,” Roveri said. High school students who take either F.E. DuBose classes or Central Carolina classes do so at no cost. Additionally, the school districts provide transportation between the high schools and the F.E. DuBose campus.

The business community also supported Tech Camp with both material and financial contributions. Roveri said he was particularly grateful to the following businesses for their support: Army National Guard, Bank of Clarendon, IGA, The Manning Times, McDonalds, Piggly Wiggly, Sonic, Wal-Mart, D&H Barbecue, Bi-Lo and Black Sheep Productions.

“None of this would have been possible without the outstanding cooperation and input from the guidance counselors at all three school districts,” Roveri added. “This is the third time I have held a Tech Camp like this and never has a community supported the event like ours has. Yes, this will definitely be an annual event … maybe next year we’ll call it ‘Super Saturday Tech Camp!’”