Jefferson County JVS summer camp introduces students to career programs

The Jefferson County Joint Vocational School concluded its annual summer camp for middle school students June 2-3.

Students entering fifth through seventh grades in Jefferson and Harrison counties participated in Jefferson County JVS CTE Summer Camp 2026, spending time in school labs completing projects and becoming familiar with the career-technical education facility.

JVS Career/Workforce Specialist Carina Aulicino said about 40 students attended the camp, which also introduced them to potential career paths.

“The summer camp is designed to help students discover their interests at an early age while building confidence, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills. By offering these experiences, Jefferson County JVS hopes to broaden students' awareness of the many rewarding educational and career options available to them in the future,” Aulicino said.

“Most importantly, the camp serves as a way for the JVS to strengthen its connection with the community. By opening its doors to younger students, the school showcases the outstanding opportunities, state-of-the-art programs and dedicated instructors that make career and technical education a valuable pathway to success. Through the CTE Summer Camp, the JVS is investing in the future of local students while demonstrating its commitment to education, workforce development and community engagement.”

Students from Indian Creek, Steubenville Catholic Central, Steubenville, Edison, Toronto, Harrison and Jefferson County Christian School attended. They spent 30 minutes in three program labs each day completing projects such as creating pipe-cleaner hair designs in cosmetology, making diamond art stickers in early childhood education, reviewing owl pellets and interacting with ducks and a rabbit in animal science management, building wooden cars, boats and birdhouses in carpentry, using a simulator and remote-controlled earthmovers in heavy equipment operation and decorating toy race cars in auto collision.

Participants also received T-shirts and a hot lunch.

JVS instructors led the labs with assistance from students and staff members, including Brianne Schoolcraft, Lily Thrasher, Dave Lucas, Jon Eick, Russell Achhammer, Amy Rusnak, Dianna Wellington, Emily Moore, A.J. Materna, Dale Palmer, Jill Winski, Jamie Spencer, Allie Boyd and Shawn Ford.

Aulicino also thanked the administration and school board for supporting the activity. The camp was held for many years before taking a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in 2022.

“We have had much success and the campers always leave happy, so the camp has run similarly for the past four years,” she said. “The feedback from both students and parents has been overwhelmingly positive. Many students have attended the summer camp for consecutive years and have shared that they are disappointed they will no longer be eligible to participate due to age restrictions.”

Aulicino said the school is exploring expanding eligibility to allow more students to participate.

She added that several students expressed interest in learning more about JVS programs and asked about opportunities to visit the school. To support that interest, the JVS offers annual tours for eighth-grade and sophomore students.

Participants also praised the experience.

“It’s fun,” said Malaki Raynard, who will enter sixth grade at Stanton Elementary. “I liked the heavy equipment lab.”

“If this camp was held every day, I’d come to it all day,” said Kane DeSander, a sixth-grade student at Jefferson County Christian School.

Classmate Caleb Hatcher said he also enjoyed the camp and was particularly interested in the heavy equipment operation lab.

“I liked everything,” said Indian Creek Middle School seventh grader Elizabeth Blackburn, who said she was especially interested in the animal science management and early childhood education programs.

“It was really good. I liked being with my friends and learning stuff,” said Harrison Central Junior High sixth grader Ava Beckley, who said she was most interested in the early childhood education program.