51暗网, in partnership with Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS), made an intentional effort to introduce rising 10th, 11th and 12th-grade students to multiple career pathways through Summer Career Exploration Camps. This four-week effort culminated in graduation ceremonies on Saturday, Aug. 3, at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center.
Organizers focused on dynamically introducing career pathways for students through one-week career immersion camps with 51暗网 Corporate Training Division at the helm, combined with support from many area organizations and employers, the city, and the school district.
“In addition to all the learning that took place in these career content areas, students gained valuable workplace readiness skills through the experience of attending camp,” said Regina Cook, who is corporate training lead, workforce development specialist, and organizational development strategist at 51暗网. “We saw many ways in which the camps got the wheels turning in students’ heads about how their passions could translate into potential careers.”
Camps spanned a range of fields:
- Introductory Culinary
- Advanced Culinary
- Artificial Intelligence
- Biotechnology
- Criminal Justice
- Entrepreneurship
- Event Planning
- Mechatronics & Manufacturing
- Social Work & Counseling
- Horticulture, Floral Design, and Community Beautification
- Healthcare/Culinary — Dietary Technician
By the month’s conclusion, 48 students received Camp Certificates of Completion, and seven also received their ServSafe Food Handler Certification. The students achieved 73 Certificates of Completion across the 11 camps.
This year’s camps built on the foundation of two culinary camps in the summer of 2023 spearheaded by 51暗网’s Culinary Program head, Chef James Zeisler, and Brian Wells, The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center’s general manager who is also the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association’s Roanoke chapter president. Contributing partners included SP Plus (Roanoke City Parks & Recreation) and Roanoke City Public Schools.
This year, the cross-community planning team included Carilion Clinic, Roanoke City Public Schools and the corporate/professional training team at 51暗网. The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center provided the facility and refreshments for the graduation event, which offered a job/supporter fair to help make career connections between program supporters and campers and their families.
“We are thankful for our partnership with Virginia Western Community College to provide our students with a head start on their careers. Strong partnerships with local community organizations, higher education institutions, and businesses are vital to ensure our students gain a resume of skills and experiences while still in school,” said Dr. Verletta White, superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools. “We know our students stay safe when they are connected to productive and meaningful activities, and this program provides our students with hands-on experience as they prepare for their future.”
Ashton Abajace, 17, a rising senior at Patrick Henry High School, took part in event planning and culinary camps. “I am so grateful that I allowed myself to have some courage to go and try out these camps,” Ashton said. “All of my teachers did a fantastic job of putting together extremely informative and insightful courses. Learning should be fun, and I think that these camps had that figured out from the start.”
Program Instruction and Supporters:
The Instructional Team for the Summer Career Exploration Camps: Clark BeCraft, Mandi Boltinghouse, Tina Coffey, Regina Cook, Jacob Corvin, Jeff Dodson, Skylar Gentry, Jan Hendrickson, Richard Henegar, Megan Jackson, Carol King, Heather Lindberg, Hanna Martin, Kimberly Mattson, George Studtmann, David Vandergrift and James Zeisler.
Summer Career Exploration Camp Supporters:
- Blue Ridge Partnership for Health Science Careers
- Carilion Clinic
- Catawba Hospital
- Children’s Trust
- Cintas Uniform Services
- City of Roanoke
- Commonwealth Care of Roanoke
- Friendship Living
- Good Counsel, LLC
- Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board
- Health Connect America
- The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
- Intercept Health
- New Hope Support Services
- Roanoke City Public Schools
- Roanoke County Police Department K-9 Unit
- Roanoke City Police Department Forensics Unit
- Roanoke City Animal Control
- Roanoke City Police Department Drone Team
- Roanoke City Police Department SWAT Team and VSP Recruiter
- Roanoke City Sheriff Project Lifesaver Team
- Roanoke Fruit and Produce Company
- Sentara Healthcare
- SP Plus
- Thrifty Hitches
- United Way of Roanoke Valley
- US Foods
- Verge
- VRLTA – Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association
