Rowan Watkins of Cook County listens intently as Declan Gergets shares what they have been learning about throughout the week.  Photo by Boreal Community Media.  

From Boreal Community Media - August 9, 2019

Friday was the final day for the Cook County Technology Camp.  Eleven campers studied a variety of topics throughout the week, including Excel, project management, computer networking, scripting, and cybersecurity.  Professional "soft skills" such as communication, work ethic, teamwork, and initiative were also highlighted throughout the week.

On Friday, Rowan Watkins, Radio Communications Analyst for Cook County, stopped in to share his background and expertise with the campers and to talk about what his job entails.  He also took time to ask the campers what they had been learning throughout the week and to answer any questions that they had.  

This opportunity was brought to Cook County students by a collaboration between Boreal Community Media, Cook County Higher Education and Cook County Schools ISD 166 Community Education.  Boreal Community Media wishes to extend a special thank you to the following individuals who partnered with them to bring this enriching experience to Cook County youth:

• Joan Bernard, for being such an amazing and inspirational instructor for the week.
• Mike Carlson for his generous financial support for funding this camp.
• Steve and Kate Surbaugh for their generous financial donation to fund the camp.
• Cascade Vacation Rentals for donating the week long vacation rental for the camp instructor.
• Eric Block and Hella Buchheim of Hovland for donating the t-shirts for the campers.
• David Blackburn, Boreal Intern, for being Joan's assistant for the camp and ensuring that everything ran smoothly each day.
• Tristan Surbaugh, camper and Boreal Intern, for helping to set up the workstations prior to the camp with David and for helping to take down the equipment post-camp.
• Karen Blackburn and Kelsey Kennedy of Cook County Higher Education for all of their assistance in making this happen.
• Community guest speakers, Mike Duvall, Woody Gilk, Eric Block, Rena Rogers, and Rowan Watkins for sharing their IT wisdom with the campers.
• Cook County Schools ISD 166 for use of equipment.
• The Lloyd K Johnson Foundation, not only for their grant funds to support the student technology internship program, but for their guidance and support throughout the years.  They make amazing things happen in Cook County, and we are so grateful for them.

Lastly, Boreal Community Media would like to thank the Cook County community for their strong support of the student technology internship program.  You are allowing us to change the lives of students by giving them confidence, paid hands-on technical experience, and the ability to give back to the area that they call home.  Thank you for believing in Boreal Community Media and these talented youth.  

 Instructor Joan Bernard, Assistant instructor David Blackburn and all the campers gather for one final group photo on the last day of the 2019 Technology Boot Camp.