Durham College (DC) proudly opened its doors once again to host the Skills Ontario Summer Camp, welcoming 18 campers from Grades 7 to 9 to explore future career opportunities in the skilled trades at DC’s Whitby campus.

Led by Skills Ontario from August 14 to 18, the camp focused on inspiring the next generation of skilled trades students, through hands-on activities, interactive workshops and shop tours.

Campers experienced a different trade each day and gained a broad introduction to many areas of the college, including the automotive, carpentry, welding and plumbing shops located in the DC’s state-of-the-art Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology (CSTT) and the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (Weston Centre).

Led by Skills Ontario staff and DC employees, campers learned virtual welding skills and measuring techniques, how to change a tire on the rim and build a birdhouse and a hula hoop before testing their own vehicles in a C02 dragster car racing competition. They also took to the Weston Centre fields for a day to learn about the college’s field-to-fork philosophy and sustainability practices, before harvesting, cleaning and pickling their own vegetables.

“With the growing demand for skilled trades professionals across the province, the Skills Ontario Summer Camp is a great opportunity to spark an early interest for young people in the world of skilled trades,” said Rebecca Milburn, principal of DC’s Whitby campus and executive dean of the Faculty of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship and Faculty of Hospitality & Horticultural Science. “It’s incredible to witness the campers’ curiosity and enthusiasm. Durham College is proud to play a role in inspiring a lifelong passion for learning in the next generation of students.”

Skills Ontario summer camps are sponsored by the Government of Ontario and Magna, dedicated to inspiring youth to explore skilled trades and technologies. DC is proud to partner with Skills Ontario and help shape the young minds of tomorrow.

For more information on future camps, please visit the Skills Ontario website.