The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) hosted a Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) summer camp that gave rising middle and rising high school students hands-on exposure to culinary arts, cosmetology and skilled trades, program leaders and student participants said.

The camp, offered to rising middle and rising high school students, is intended to introduce young people to workforce and economic-development pathways so they can make informed choices about careers, Dr. Lewis, head of the Office of College and Career Readiness at the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, said. "By offering the camps to our rising middle school and rising high school students, it give them an opportunity to learn about workforce development, economic development, and all the wonderful pathways that we offer so they can make wise choices," Dr. Lewis said.

Students described the program as interactive and hands-on rather than a series of classroom presentations. A student in the culinary track said, "We're making chicken piccata." The same student and other participants listed foods they prepared, including sweet potato pies, lasagna, biscuits and macaroni and cheese. Another participant said the camp "allowed the kids to do a lot more than what they think they can do."

Cosmetology participants detailed practical activities. A student who attended cosmetology sessions said, "I learned how to do curls. I learned how to do nails. I learned how to make lip gloss and, like, sugar scrub." Another student urged peers to attend, saying the camp is "fun" and "gives you a learning experience as well."

Staff and speakers also noted the camp introduced younger students to high-school level work at Woodville, particularly in trades. Dr. Lewis and other speakers mentioned carpentry pathways and related skilled-trades offerings such as welding, electrical and HVAC. One staff speaker described the camp as engaging and interactive: "It exposed the younger kids to what we do in the high school at Woodville, especially. It introduced them to a lot of the foods that they don't get introduced to. It allows them to kinda have ideas about food," Ken Slatz, speaking for SCCPSS, said.

Organizers emphasized practical, roll-up-your-sleeves instruction rather than demonstrations: "Oh, no, Jayla. It's a roll up your sleeves and get to work kind of camp," a camp staff member said during the session. Speakers repeatedly framed the program as a way to help students consider career options and develop entry-level skills.

SCCPSS did not specify enrollment caps, session dates, costs or funding sources in the remarks included in the transcript. Program leaders described the camp activities, goals and participating pathways but gave no additional logistical details during the recorded segment.

For SCCPSS, Ken Slatz said the camp aims to introduce "wise choices" and practical skills to younger students ahead of high-school coursework and career pathways.