Project Description
Career Camps for Students ages 14 to 21
Vocational Rehabilitation Career Camps (VRCCs) are a great way for students to prepare for careers in the 21st Century. Students will participate in a variety of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to explore careers and learn about the many choices they can make after high school. VR will partner with approved VR Career Camp providers to deliver any combination of the following Pre-ETS to create a unique Career Camp experience. Career Camps will be available any time students are out of school for at least three consecutive days (e.g. summer break, winter recess, spring break). Current VR participants interested in attending a Career Camp should ask their VR representative about the availability of this service in their local area.
Pre-ETS may include:
- Job Exploration Counseling: Interest and ability surveys, review of career websites, high school based courses on career choices, or other similar activities.
- Postsecondary Educational Counseling: Counseling on postsecondary educational institution options, counseling on the assistance available through Disability Services Offices and exploration of student financial aid options and supports.
- Workplace Readiness Training: Soft-skills training, employability skills training, social/interpersonal skills (i.e. communication, problem solving, decision making, conflict resolution, empathy, professionalism, etc.) and independent living skills training related to employment (i.e. good hygiene, money management, time management, using technology and assistive technology, appropriate dress, appropriate behavior, etc.).
- Work-based Learning Experiences: Work-based learning experiences in the community including field trips, job shadowing, informational interviews and industry tours. Paid and unpaid work experiences are not available through Career Camps.
- Self-Advocacy Training: Instruction in self-awareness, disability disclosure, requesting accommodations, understanding your rights and responsibilities, self-determination and mentoring including peer mentoring.
Students not currently receiving services from VR but who are interested in participating in a VR Career Camp will need to be referred to VR for services. Anyone can refer students to VR including parents, service providers and schools.
More Information Request Form
Testimonials
“This was a great experience for my 14 year old son Andre. He enjoyed it very much even though it was virtual. I have to thank you for having this kind of program and preparing teenagers for what they’re going to encounter in the future. ”
“My daughter Kristanna loves the program. We would like to thank all for the help n support this program offers.”
The difference this program made for my son was measurable. Within a very short time he had a job and was moving forward in his life. I am very grateful.
All of the staff were very encouraging , from the moment I was contacted to the very end. Wish I had this program when I was getting ready for the work world.
Full Community Participation & Economic Self-Sufficiency
“Since I founded IICDF in 2013, our goals have been to prepare youths and adults with a variety of disabilities for entry or re-entry into the workforce and assists them in securing pre-employment services as well as employment so that they can enjoy independent living, full community participation and economic self-sufficiency.”