Abel has a lot to look forward to as a 15-year-old kid. Sure, another school year is right around the corner, but Abel likes to look farther into the future, thinking ahead about having a job and career one day.
This summer, Abel has been able to focus on what that career might be as he’s attended a pair of Career Camps hosted by the Center of Independent Living of Central Florida (CIL). He’s gotten an up-close look at a host of different jobs, and he’s learned skills he’ll need to help get hired in a few years.
Abel comes home from Career Camp – in mid-July, he was one of 23 students at camp in Winter Park – feeling encouraged and supported and excited in a way that his mother, Holly Whye-Schiffhauer, has not seen before.
“In my opinion, (Career Camp) is an unparalleled resource for youth such as my son,” said Whye-Schiffhauer. “Any chances for him to engage with other students and professionals in this way are rare and greatly appreciated. From my own interactions and what my son tells me, (CIL has) a team of dedicated, caring professionals who come prepared to give their best to these students daily.”
CIL provides its weeklong Career Camp program across its seven-county footprint to youth with disabilities enrolled in high school during times when school is out for break. The immersive program gives campers opportunities to build pre-employment skills and get exposed to opportunities that will ultimately help them to transition to adulthood and careers. Camp presenters are experts in their unique fields, so they can offer real-life, hands-on expertise, advice, and answers to any questions that campers may have.
Campers visit different agencies and businesses across several industries such as construction, hospitality, medical, marketing and human resources to learn about how to start their career, which levels of education are needed and what life on the job looks like, as well as how to manage a paycheck.
Abel and other camp members pose with their dollar bills after a lesson.
“We focus on work readiness,” said Career Camp Program Manager Eliezer “Eli” Agosto. “We let students know about their ADA rights, work with them on resume building and mock job interviews and let them work as a group to solve different problems and complete different activities.”
But the biggest benefits of Career Camp occur outside the classroom. Students learned to use maps and traveled via public transportation. They visited several large employers in the area, ranging from hospitals and hotels to police and fire departments. They took a tour of the fire station witnessed emergency calls come in and the firefighters on duty get ready and go. They learned how to give CPR.
By giving campers a wide variety of experiences, CIL’s Step Ahead team hopes they come away from the experience realizing that there are several career paths they can take.
“We want our students to start thinking about their options,” he said. “We want to give them what they need to help them get where they want to go and understand what their long-term goals are and how they can start working towards them now.” (Agosto)
The results can continue to build, as many students like coming to camp so much that they come back – even when they don’t have to.
As for Abel, he is getting ready for the upcoming school year, but his time at Career Camp has him thinking farther into the future. He’s also $100 richer, as each camper earns $100 when they complete a week of camp.
“I’m very thankful to have this experience,” Abel said. “It has given me a lot more confidence. I cannot wait to get a job!”
Abel learns the process of voting and submitting a ballot from a poll worker.
CIL of Central Florida Career Camp
- Summer, Spring and Winter break camps
- Students can attend 2 camps per calendar year
- Eligible students must be 14-21 and reside in a county CIL serves
- Students who complete camp earn $100
- For more information, reach out to Brad at [email protected] or 407-961-5530.
