NGPS offers unique summer experience for grades 9-12 students

By Vicki Winger

Northern Gateway Public Schools (NGPS) recently wrapped up the pilot run of its one-of-a-kind summer boot camp experience.

Beginning June 4 and lasting two weeks, students in grades 9 through 12 were able to participate in the unique summer boot camp. The Career Exposure Boot Camps provides students with the opportunity to explore one of their career interests in-depth in a hands-on environment.

Upon completion of the boot camp, the students received anywhere from three to six extra credits, and some came out with safety certifications that make them employment-ready.

The boot camp, formed by a partnership between Living Waters Catholic Schools, Alberta Labour, the Town of Whitecourt, Community Futures, and the County of Woodlands, is considered by Off Campus Consultant for Northern Gateway Public Schools, David Quick, to be “a tremendous success,” bringing in students from as far away as Valleyview, Edson, and Onoway.

Camp options available to the students included Safety Certification, Robotics, Medical Minds, Construction, Cisco Networking, Art, Coding an App, and Culinary Arts.

One of the more popular camps featured in the program was the two-week Construction Course. Journeyman Carpenter, Lloyd Bloomfield, came from Edmonton to teach his class about tool safety, framing, cutting, and shingling. The final project presented students with the challenge of building several large backyard playhouses. Once completed, these playhouse structures will be donated back to the community, either to the daycares or select charities, where they can then be sold off.

The Business Enterprise Camp formed another of the program’s boot camps. This course allows students to build a future business—while still in high school. Patrysha Korchinski – Advisor with Community Futures of Yellowhead East came in to teach students about how to develop a business plan and learn about business. Upon completion of this program, each student had to present their business concept to the business members of our Community for judging.