FOR THE GAZETTE

STEVENS POINT — The Boys & Girls Club of Portage County recently held its first-ever Aviation Career Camp as part of its YouthForce workforce development initiative for youth and teens. Thirteen participants, ages 12-16, spent the day learning about careers in aviation, basic principles of flight, and inspecting a prop plane and jet before taking brief flights around the Stevens Point area. “Thanks for putting this camp together. Our son loved it,” reported a parent.

The Boys & Girls Club partnered with Gary Olsen, CFI, and pilot Luke Krepsky from the Stevens Point Area Flying Club to host this first-of-its-kind event. “The goal of the YouthForce Career Camps is to introduce teens to career areas through fun, engaging, and hands-on experiences led by industry professionals, and this Aviation Camp was a huge success,” according to BGC Director of Workforce Development, Jeremy Higgins.

Additional YouthForce Career Camps, including ones focused on metal machining, information technology, business, construction, and emergency responders, are available throughout the summer. The Club is excited to partner with Pointe Precision, Mid-State Technical College, Wisconsin Business World, Ellis Construction, and the Village of Plover – Police, Fire, and EMT Departments to lead these 1–2-day Career Camps.

All Career Camps are free to Boys & Girls Club members or just $10 for non-members and are open to any teens throughout central Wisconsin. The YouthForce initiative is funded in part through a Workforce Innovation grant in partnership with Mid-State Technical College and the WI Department of Workforce Development. Learn more about the YouthForce initiative, Career Camps, and to register visit the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County website at www.bgclubpc.org or call 715-341-4386.

About Boys & Girls Club Portage County

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Portage County serves nearly 2,000 Club members throughout the year with afterschool programming, summer programs, special events, healthy meals, sports, and recreation, and workforce development programming. Boys & Girls Club of Portage County has been serving the community for 20 years and operates in five community schools within Portage County in addition to its Berard and Plover Centers. For a nominal membership and enrollment fee, Club members receive homework help, tutoring, healthy meals, participation in enrichment programs, and assistance in finding employment and preparing for a career. These programs are in the core areas of education and career development, character and leadership, health and life skills, sports, fitness and recreation and the arts. All these services are provided in a safe and fun environment in which the children thrive. For more information or to donate, visit their website and Facebook page. Visit – www.bgclubpc.org and www.facebook.com/bgclubpc.