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Story provided by Allisson Badger, District Career Education Coordinator

The Kamloops-Thompson School District’s key priorities, as outlined in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, includes a commitment to help prepare students to attain their career goals. To support the Career Development priority, the District's Career Development Department is dedicated to providing career exploration opportunities for a range of possible career pathways, including offering hands-on learning opportunities through career events and camps.

From October 3 to 5, 2024, 26 students from schools across the District participated in the McQueen Lake Forestry and Environmental Camp. This three day camp provided unique hands-on experiences and training from community partners.

Throughout the camp, students cored trees and learned about the forest, waded into the lake and examined the aquatics ecosystem, and searched for plants in the grasslands with experts and students from TRU's Natural Resources and Science department. They also learned about the land and plants from a local Indigenous resource teacher, reforestation with BC Forestry, and how to fight fire with BC Wildfire Service. Kamloops Search and Rescue also provided students with an opportunity to learn and apply key skills.

“I signed up for this event because I want to go into Natural Resource Science at TRU so I wanted to have a hands-on experience to see if I actually wanted to go into the program. This is what I expected and this is what I want to do for a career,” share Jennifer, a Grade 12 Westsyde Secondary student. 

Numerous career opportunities were also explored with partners from the Province of British Columbia’s Natural Resources Careers and Thompson Rivers University's Natural Resources and Science Department.

Students also received motivation and encouragement from Cowboy Rob, who had them singing and howling by the campfire. Grade 11 NorKam student Sampson shared “Campfire with Cowboy Rob made me feel like part of myself bloomed again. Often people my age don't get to connect with older people like that. It felt nostalgic. I grew up on a ranch so it felt good to connect to that part of myself again.”

A special thank you to Camp Coordinators Greg and Colby Griffiths, past Westsyde Secondary students who ran and coordinated all of the hands-on workshops with the community partners.

“This camp was super impactful when I was in high school and I like to see how it helps other students explore their potential,” shared Greg. Colby added, “This camp forever changed my career trajectory for the better and now I'm enjoying giving back to it.”