Camp Curriculum
Campers will participate in the following Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS): job exploration counseling, postsecondary educational counseling, workplace readiness training, work-based learning experiences, and self-advocacy training. Select a camp day below to see an overview on the topics covered for the Spring 2024 camp sessions. Select an overview to reveal further information on that particular day's agenda.
Camp Day 1
Working on Your Current Self
Many people don't have a plan after they graduate high school, college, or after a life-changing incident. This is okay. Now, is the time to find out what you want to do next. You can't get out there and go after what you want in life unless you know more about yourself and what you want. It is good to know what you like or don't like, what you are good at, and what you need to improve. No one is perfect. On this first day of camp we will work together to figure out your interests, skills, goals, training, and find employment opportunities that suit your needs.
Ice Breaker: The students and Camp Counselor become familiar with one another by participating in one or more ice breaker activities.
Guided Discussion: What's your dream job? Students will discuss their dream jobs and what they believe what they need to do or learn to make their dreams happen. Feedback will be provided by the Camp Counselor where appropriate.
Activity: What is my learning style? - learning style inventory followed by discussion on learning styles and tips on how to use your specific learning style to your advantage.
Activity: O*Net Interest Profiler, followed by instruction and discussion on making appropriate career choices based on knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as the local labor market. Handout: up-to-date labor market information provided by Florida Department of Economic Opportunity with discussion on interpreting. Guided Discussion: Making realistic career choices based on circumstances such as workforce demand, pay, education, etc.
Guided Discussion: Discuss how knowing your specific strengths is essential for employer interviews, as well as college entrance applications and interviews.
Activity: CareerOneStop Skills Matcher - transferrable skills matcher. Guided Discussion: How can everyday skills like helping around the house and volunteering in the community transfer to my dream job?
Handout: High-Paying Trade Jobs Sit Empty, While High School Grads Line Up for University (https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/04/25/605092520/high-paying-trade-jobs-sit-empty-while-high-school-grads-line-up-for-university) Discussion: Students will discuss what, if anything, has been stressed in their family or social circles. Is college important? Any family members or friends that have learned trades? Can you be successful without a bachelor’s degree?
Activity: I didn’t know that…was Made in Florida! Students will complete the Manufacturing Perceptions Survey and then watch, “Made in Florida 2015: What’s Made in Your Backyard” (http://madeinflorida.org/videos/). Guided Discussion: What cool places are there to work in your backyard (or community).
Camp Day 2
Working on What's Out There
On the second day of camp we will learn about career exploration. Campers and the Camp Counselor will work together to discover information about jobs and careers in their community, as well as the skills, talent, and education needed to choose a career path that is fun and rewarding.
Activity: Work Readiness inventory
Activity: Guided review of CareerOne Stop, including navigation to review education levels, experience, and skills needed for dream jobs. Campers will research potential careers. Once they have a list, they can then use CareerOne Stop to research each of the careers. Students will select at least three careers. Campers, with assistance as needed, will obtain detailed information on their potential career such as schooling, workplace environment, description of a day in that career, job description, hiring potential, and potential salaries.
Video: The Hidden Job Market - The Truth. Guided Discussion: ask students their opinion of what local employers offer competitive and integrated employment.
Activity: Guided review of Employ Florida, including navigation. Additionally, the class will review Indeed, Snag-A-Job, CareerBuilder, and Monster. Special focus should be applied to the mobile applications students can download for each website.
Website: Top 10 Job Scam Warnings, with guided discussion.
Camp Day 3
Working on Getting Hired
Everybody has a idea on how to find a job. But, could your skill set use a refresher? Maybe you know how to fill out a application but, don't have a resume. Or maybe you have a resume but, don't know how to fill out a application. Well you are in the right place! In this section we will discuss job search procedures - researching jobs, finding openings, requesting applications, completing and submitting applications, communication, the interview and how to follow up.
Video: Employment Applications – An introduction to job applications, pre-employment tests, criminal backgrounds, and follow up. Activity: students will complete a paper-based master job application for assistance in completing employer paper and web applications.
Video: Preparing Your Resume – An introduction to resume writing. Activity: Campers and the Camp Counselor will work together and use the previously completed master application and transferrable skills activity to create a resume that will be saved to their Camper Google Drive portfolio for future access.
Video: Interviewing Skills – types of interviews, professional appearance, following up, and coping with rejection. Followed by discussion. Handout: Example interview questions. Activity: preparation for mock interview
Video: Dress for Success – How to best present yourself through appropriate hygiene and attire while in public and at work. Followed by guided discussion.
Activity: Using any of the websites or methods previously discussed, find at least five currently open positions that might interest the “future you”. Students will research these positions through CareerOneStop and discuss average pay in Florida for the position, actual pay if advertised, post-secondary education required and/or knowledge/skills required.
Activity/Discussion: Other components of the job-seeking process: cover letter, thank you cards, following up.
Camp Day 4
Working on Being Your Best Self
Preparation for work and self-sufficiency starts with being prepared to manage life at home, in the community, and at work. Regardless of the career chosen, communication skills, ability to manage stress, punctuality, financial literacy, and getting along with coworkers are the foundation of success.
Guided Discussion: Discuss and share ideas for managing time wisely. Discuss the importance of arriving/leaving work on time, as well as returning from breaks on time. Video: Skills to Pay the Bills- Professionalism
Skills to Pay the Bills – Communication. Activity: Quit Talkin’! I Know What to Do! The purpose of this activity is to discuss the importance of understanding directions before you start a task. Skills to Pay the Bills curriculum can be downloaded here for Camp Counselor lesson guidance. Campers are not required to download the lesson, but may do so if it helps for them to follow along. Ask your Camp Counselor for assistance in downloading, if needed.
Skills to Pay the Bills – Communication. Activity: What’s Your Point? This role-play activity helps students understand the importance of being specific when offering and receiving communication. Skills to Pay the Bills curriculum can be downloaded here for Camp Counselor lesson guidance. Campers are not required to download the lesson, but may do so if it helps for them to follow along. Ask your Camp Counselor for assistance in downloading, if needed.
Skills to Pay the Bills – Problem Solving and Critical Thinking. Activity: Problem Solving on a Team. The purpose of this activity is to have students explore how effective teams might address problems that occur among its members. Skills to Pay the Bills curriculum can be downloaded here for Camp Counselor lesson guidance. Campers are not required to download the lesson, but may do so if it helps for them to follow along. Ask your Camp Counselor for assistance in downloading, if needed.
PowerPoint: Communication and Social Media w/ discussion
Activity: Transportation Training: review of transportation options, bus training (if public transportation is available), Uber/Lyft.
Activity: Budgeting: Things to Know About Spending and Saving Money – Lesson 1: Spending Limits; Lesson 2: Budget Basics: Lesson 3: Taxes. Students will review example budgets.
Camp Day 5
Working on Your Future Self
Self-advocacy, leadership skills, communicating needs, and developing supports empower students to succeed.
Activity: Mock Interviews -a local representative of the business community will allot at least 10 minutes to interview each student for a pretend entry-level job.
Video: Disability – How You See Me. Discussion: Poll the class on what makes them fabulous. Discuss how to manage and interact with people who might see them differently.
Discussion: Requesting reasonable accommodations in higher education and/or in the Workplace. Handout: example accommodation request form. Video/Discussion: Keeping Your Job – How to request reasonable accommodations, worker rights, dealing with stress and anxiety at work, handling with mistakes, coping with change, responding to feedback, and workplace policies and procedures.
Video: What is Self-Determination and Why is it Important? Discussion: poll the class on what their short and long-term goals are. Discuss the importance of creating goals and the rewards of employment and receiving a paycheck. Activity: have the class write down a piece of paper all the things and people that motivate them to succeed. Poll the class to share what motivates them.
Video: 411 Disability Disclosure. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMb5aURm81s) Handout: (http://www.ncwd-youth.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/411_Disability_Disclosure_complete.pdf) Discussion: poll the class on how they would or would not disclose their disability. Explain what a vocational evaluation is and how it might assist in disclosing their disability, if they choose to, to their employer. Encourage student discussion, but do not force responses.