Blue Ridge Marketing and Communications Dept.
This summer, Blue Ridge Community College hosted four Summer Camps designed to challenge local students while giving them fun opportunities to learn. Middle and high school students explored and developed their skills during one, two, or three-day camps.
Blue Ridge Director of Corporate and Customized Training Shanda Bedoian said the camps were a great way for local high school students to test out career options at a young age.
“These students had the wonderful opportunity to experience a wide variety of careers and what those jobs entail by participating in a summer camp at Blue Ridge while also having tons of fun,” she said.
The College hosted four camps this summer, including a welding camp called ArcStrong, an automotive camp called C.A.R., a cosmetology camp called Hair Up! Train Up! Design Up!, and an entrepreneurship camp called Shark Tank.
ArcStrong was a one-day introduction to the world of welding for rising 9th through 12th graders. This camp emphasized gas metal arc welding (MIG) and plasma cutting. Students were shown how to safely turn molten metal into some very cool projects, including one they could take home with them.
C.A.R. stands for Cool Automotive Repair. This one-day introduction to the world of automobiles was open to rising 7th through 9th graders, and let students explore the basics of automotive maintenance through a review of car design, roadside safety and basic car care. The C.A.R. camp was full of hands-on lab activities including changing oil, checking tire pressure and identifying parts. Plus, students wrapped up the day with a pit-crew challenge.
The Hair Up! Train Up! Design Up! Camp was a one-day opportunity for rising 9th through 12th graders as well as 2022 graduates to learn about the creative world of beauty. Campers explored the hair design with hands-on mannequin work and one-on-one interaction.
Shark Tank was a three-day camp introducing students to the world of entrepreneurship. This camp was open to rising 9th through 12th graders. Campers learned what it takes to start a successful business in a fast-paced and fun atmosphere. Campers learned idea formation, decision making, business modeling, marketing, planning and presentation skills. This camp also gave them the chance to meet and hear real-life success stories from local entrepreneurs. Participants even received awards based on presentations to a panel of “Sharks.”
A full gallery of photos from each Summer Camp can be found on the Blue Ridge Facebook page, including
To learn more about Blue Ridge’s Summer Camps, visit blueridge.edu/summer-camps.