Our Dakota Dreams Career Exploration Camps

The Our Dakota Dreams Career Exploration Camps offer rising seventh- and eighth-grade students in South Dakota a unique, no-cost opportunity to explore diverse career paths through dynamic and practical activities. Over five days, participants attend sessions on university and technical college campuses where they engage in hands-on learning and visit local businesses to see careers in action. This experience helps students understand their interests and how education can prepare them for future jobs, focusing on workforce readiness and real-world exposure. The camps are a partnership between South Dakota’s educational institutions and employers, fostering connections that benefit students as they consider their education and career paths. Supported by the South Dakota Board of Regents and Department of Education with federal funding, these camps continue to build on previous years’ success in nurturing the next generation’s workforce potential.