HCWA hosts Water Works Summer Camp for 9th Graders
Prior to the start of the school year, some local high school students enjoyed a week of summer camp at the Henry County Water Authority (HCWA), which was intended to introduce them to the essential careers of the water industry, provide professional and leadership skills, and give them an overview of the importance of protecting water resources.
The HCWA hosted the second annual “Water Works” Summer Camp Experience for rising 9th graders in Henry County Schools, providing the participants with facility tours, hands-on activities, and interaction with HCWA water professionals.
The “Water Works” Experience moved to a different HCWA facility each day during the camp week. Tours and activities took place at the HCWA Tussahaw Water Treatment Plant, Indian Creek Water Reclamation Facility, Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center, and the Authority Headquarters.
Classroom topics during the summer camp featured lessons about watershed protection, water treatment and wastewater collection, as well as professional/career skill development. Activities during the week included: water testing in the utility’s award-winning water quality laboratory, a boat ride on a drinking water reservoir, Q & A sessions and words of advice with HCWA employees who are essential workers, mock interviews with HCWA managers, tips on writing/building a resume’, and financial training from a financial advisor.
In addition to introducing students to various career opportunities within the water industry, campers saw the connection between how the work of water professionals makes a difference in the health and safety of their community, says Lindsey Sanders, HCWA Communications and Regulatory Coordinator and “Water Works” Summer Camp organizer.
“This group seemed to be truly interested in learning more about what we do, which was really refreshing,” says Sanders. “They were all very smart, very attentive, and open to learning. I think they benefitted from seeing the connection between what we do and what they’re interested in studying and possibly pursuing in a career.”
The HCWA “Water Works” Summer Camp Experience is one of several educational programs the Authority champions to target various age groups and grade levels within the community.
For example, the annual Cubihatcha Kids Field Trips invites Henry County 3rd graders for a day of outdoor learning at the Cubihatcha Center in Locust Grove (scheduled next month), while the Georgia Model Water Tower Competition (coming in November) targets middle school students with a penchant for engineering and design.
For high schoolers, in addition to the “Water Works” Summer Camp for rising 9th graders, the Authority hosts field trips for 10th graders in the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Youth Leadership Henry class, serves as a Work-based Learning destination for high school students, and sponsors a Summer Internship Program for 11th and 12thgraders who are dually enrolled at Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC).
Captions for photos (top to bottom):
Brandon Dubbs (center), HCWA Operator, takes students in the Water Works Summer Camp on a tour of the Tussahaw Water Treatment Plant.
Michael Dodson (left), HCWA Collection System Operator, shows Olivia Jones, a student participating in the Water Works Summer Camp, how to view sewer lines using a push camera.
Rebecca Bodron (far left), HCWA Naturalist at the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center, provides a tour of the Long Branch Reservoir for students participating in this year’s Water Works Summer Camp.
The Authority’s Brandon Keller (left) conducts a mock interview with Khyeer Hughes during the final day of the HCWA Water Works Summer Camp. Participating 9th grade students like Khyeer learned how to interview for jobs as well as other professional and leadership skills during the camp week.
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Contact: Chris Wood, Ph.D.
P: 770-757-1681
E: chris@jwapr.com or john.wood@gcsu.edu