Summer Programs
Upcoming Events:
Teacher Pathways: Bridge to College Program- Montana State University- Juniors and Seniors
Independent Record Summer Camps 2023
SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM
The program is a great way to build your resume and strengthen your skills!
In addition to having a paid summer work experience, you will (1) complete a paid training series that will help prepare you for success in the workplace, and (2) meet at least 5 times with an adult mentor to discuss your work experience and future school and work options.
Participants can also opt to take a free college course (either 1-credit or 3-credit) focused on work skills and interpersonal communication during the summer.
SJP placements run from early-June to mid-August, 2023. You will need to prioritize your work experience for at least six weeks. Some positions are part-time and some are full-time.
To apply, you must:
• Have a current photo ID and a Social Security number.
• Be 15-19 years old (16-19 for priority placement)
• Successfully pass a drug screening and background check, if required by your host employer.
You will need to submit this Summer Jobs Program application and complete an SJP interview to participate and before placement with an employer. Have your resume ready before starting the application.
The program will match students with a potential employer, based on student experience and employer needs. Students will complete an interview with potential employer before employment is finalized.
SJP cannot guarantee internship or job placement.
COMX 115: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS COURSE AT HELENA COLLEGE
Designed specifically for high school students who are working while learning, this special COMX 115 course dives into interpersonal communication skills through the lens of hte workplace. Topics include culture, identity, perception, language, nonverbal communication, listening, emotions, and conflict.
Worth 3 credits, this class runs from June 14 to July 29, 2022; 5:30-7:30 PM Tuesday evenings on the Helena College Donaldson Campus (across from HHS) or virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Students participating in the Helena Area Summer Jobs Program and students working in a summer job are eligible to register for COMX 115.
Reasons this class is worth your time this summer:
- it’s free for students participating in the Summer Jobs Program!
- COMX 115 fulfills a general education core requirement.
- You can apply your on-the-job learning to the concepts presented in the class.
Our partner Reach Higher Montana is funding the tuition cost for this class for Summer Jobs Program participants. Learn more about Reach Higher Montana at www.ReachHigherMontana.com.
Registration for this class is now open!
Girls Thrive Summer Session 2022!
Girls Thrive is ready for another great session beginning April 19th – June 9th!
REGISTRATION will open sometime in March. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter, where Girls Thrive will always announce the opening day before it is announced on social media.
They will have a WAITLIST available once the session becomes sold out. If you weren’t able to confirm a spot for your girl, it’s well worth the effort to add her name to the list!
Before registering, please have your girl’s motivation statement with you and ready to be typed in during registration. The motivation statement is a description of why each girl wants to participate in the program and what she wants to gain from it. This also helps the coaches provide a positive experience for all of our participants.
DURING THE SPRING SESSION, girls meet twice per week for practices in a variety of activities. Girls can register for only one activity day, but are strongly encouraged to try both:
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Tuesdays: Running/Cross Training + a lesson, 4 to 6 PM
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Thursdays: Mountain Biking, 4 to 6 PM
The Spring Session activities vary, but generally include a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Running, mountain biking, swimming, yoga, Barre fitness, and hiking are some of the usual activities.
No experience in any particular sport is required for registration. We all learn together and encourage each other.
Educational lessons rotate each session and consist of evidence-based curriculum about body image, leadership, nutrition, excellence vs. perfectionism, goal-setting, active listening, and much more! Guest speakers each session also vary.
Cost: $130 for the Spring Session. Scholarships are available to those in need. All participants will receive a custom Girls Thrive hat or shirt, and a water bottle. Healthy snacks are provided during each practice.
Eligibility: Open to all girls currently in grades 6 through 12.
Gear: Available at no cost to anyone who needs it!
Location: We will primarily meet on TUESDAYS and THRUSDAYS at the current Girls Thrive Headquarters (GTHQ) in the First Christian Church building on the second floor, located at 311 Power Street. Parents will be informed via email at the beginning of the week if another meeting location is necessary. For example, on a cross-training day, we may meet at Capital City Health Club instead of the GTHQ.
Safety: We are committed to providing a safe and positive environment for every girl. Our volunteer coaches have had background checks and are passionate about our mission. Most coaches are also First Aid and CPR certified. Furthermore, we have worked with public health professionals to create our Safety Plan for operating a safe program amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
MONTANA GIRLS STATE
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 20th, 2023
WHEN: Saturday, July 2 – Saturday, July 8, 2023
WHERE: Helena, Montana
ABOUT GIRLS STATE:
ALA Girls State is a weeklong program of nonpartisan, non-denominational curriculum. As a Montana participant, the girls are assigned to fictional cities named after gem stones whereupon they embark in the full democratic process of seeking office, holding elections and making and/or enforcing laws. It is a unique and exciting government-in-action learning program. Additional activities include Capitol field trips, choir, journalism, special distinguished speakers, mock trial, moot court, self-defense classes, talent show, trips to KTVH studio and visits with veterans. Two girls selected by the delegates and counselors will become our ALA Girls State Senators and have the opportunity to represent Montana at our Nation’s Capitol for the week-long ALA Girls Nation.
ALA Girls State is the premier program for teaching young women about the democratic process and how our republic works at the state and national levels. Guided by the principle, “For God and Country”, the program epitomizes the Auxiliary’s mission to honor those who have brought us our freedom by continuing to train young women to be leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. Attendees develop leadership skills, an appreciation for active citizenship and a lasting foundation for personal and professional growth. The knowledge, memories, and friendships gained at ALA MT Girls State will last a lifetime.
Forty nine states support ALA Girls State with about 20,000 young women participating in the weeklong program of nonpartisan, non-denominational curriculum. As a MT participant, the girls are assigned to fictional cities whereupon they embark in the full democratic process of seeking City and State office, holding elections, making/enforcing laws, and participating in mock legislation in the actual House and Senate chambers at the State Capitol. It is a unique and exciting government-in-action learning program. Additional activities include journalism, debate, public speaking, special distinguished speakers, self-defense classes, a mock fatality trial and Supreme Court moot trial, talent show and Inauguration banquet. Two girls selected by the Delegates and counselors will become our ALA MT Girls State Senators and have the opportunity to represent Montana at our Nation’s Capitol for the week-long ALA Girls Nation.
Completion of ALA Girls State will gain many scholarship and college/university bound students extra consideration on applications as well as empower them to aspire to greater accomplishments. Speaking of scholarships, the Delegates who are elected as Governor will receive $500 and the Lieutenant Governor $300, courtesy of the Department of Montana American Legion Auxiliary.
Applications will be accepted February 1, 2023 until May 20th, 2023. Delegates are required to attend the full session of ALA Girls State from Sunday afternoon to Saturday noon. All delegates must be American Citizens or show proof they are residing in the country legally. If a delegate has special needs, please annotate the application as such and accommodations will be made to the best of our ability.
MT ALA members are looking forward to another successful and fulfilling ALA Montana Girls State and celebrating our 74th year of guiding young women to become patriotic, knowledgeable stewards of freedom and democracy.
Please follow this link to the Montana Legion website to see the full letter from Jen Dalrymple about the program, and to view the list of links to other important information you might want to view (the 2022 agenda, Girls State Handbook, and more!).
COST: The delegate fee is $300
Coding, Sisterhood, Bravery
Students gain the computer science skills they need to make an impact and prepare for tech careers in our free, virtual summer programs. Summer program participants get exposure to tech jobs, meet leaders in tech careers, and find community in our supportive sisterhood; all while investing in their future self. We offer two programs: A 2-week immersion program or a 6-week self-paced experience that will allow students an opportunity to learn in a style that works best for them while making meaningful connections. All high school students who identify as girls or non-binary can apply, and no prior computer science experience is required.
MONTANA BOYS STATE
WHEN: July 2-7, 2023
WHERE: Helena, Montana
Deadline: May 20th, 2023
American Legion Boys State is among one of the most respected educational programs of government instruction for high school students. At Montana American Legion Boys State, we emphasize not only the elective democratic process, but also the legislative, bill-writing activities found throughout our government. As the week passes, each delegate finds himself in a variety of government situations at the city, county, and state levels. Well-rounded programming complements the government simulations to provide a complete week of learning both in and out of the classroom.
MT American Legion Posts select high school juniors (incoming Seniors) to attend the program. In most cases the sponsoring Post or other community-based organizations (ex. Rotary, Elks, Knights of Columbus, etc.) pay the expenses associated with attending the program.
Please contact Chairman Lowell Long or Director Greg Pohle with any questions. See contact information below.
Chairman: Lowell Long Director: Greg Pohle
Phone # 945-4209 Phone # 855-0056
E-mail: directoralmtbs@gmail.com
COST: The delegate fee is $300
Naval Academy
Summer STEM- Apply here
Summer STEM is designed to encourage rising 9th-11th graders to pursue a course of study in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. for one week campers will create, build, and explore in world-class lab facilities and experience real-life application and learning
Summer Seminar- Apply here
Summer seminar introduces you to life at the academy, where you will experience first-class academic, athletic, and professional training at one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country.
If you are a junior in highschool interested in pursuing an appointment to the united states naval academy, we invite youto apply to summer seminar.
MONTANA WILDERNESS SCHOOL
MWS offers1 – 4 week long backcountry expeditions for high school-aged youth. Students get to experience and celebrate public lands and wild spaces while learning technical outdoor skills and making connections with new peers from a variety of background.
DEADLINE: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but it is encouraged to submit an application before May, 2022.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM: MWS programs are designed to promote personal growth, environmental stewardship, civic participation and community engagement. each course includes lessons on public land management, current conservation issues, and opposing stakeholder perspectives, with the aim of helping students become more informed on issues and perspectives that are relevant in our state. students learn the technical outdoor skills necessary to safely and effectively travel as a group in the backcountry with the intention that students are able to take those skills home and apply them on their own outdoor trips with friends and family. All courses include a Leave No Trace certification upon completion of the course.
COURSES OFFERED:
Courses for 14 – 16 year olds:
- Missouri River Adventure – June 16-27
- 12 days canoeing the Missouri River Breaks
- Montana Alpine Adventure – July 14-21
- 10 days backpacking in Western Montana
- Yellowstone Backpacking Adventure – July 6-13
- 8 days backpacking in the Greater Yellowstone
- Introduction to Packrafting Adventure – June 11-16
- 6 days whitewater travel on a packraft (inflatable kayak)
Courses for 15 – 18 year olds:
- Backcountry Skills for the Aspiring Hunter July 3 – 12
- 10 days backpacking with emphasis on wild game behavior, tracking and hunting skills
- Rock Camp Adventure – August 2nd to August 13
- 10 days backpacking with introduction to backcountry rock climbing
Courses for 16 – 18 year olds:
- Horsepacking Expedition – July 31 – August 9
- 10 days backcountry horse packing trip
- Mountaineering Expedition – June 15 – July 2
- 18 days backpacking and expedition climbing, including summer snow and alpine rock travel
- Wilderness Packrafting and Backpacking Expedition – July 11 – 25
- 15 days whitewater packraft (inflatable kayak) and backpacking
- Wilderness Backpacking Expedition – July 11 – 25
- 10 days backpacking in Western Montana
- Yellowstone Expedition – August 1 – 21
- 21 days backpacking, packrafting and whitewater canoeing. Wilderness First Aid training and swift water rescue.
- Montana Expedition – July 17 – August 10
- 25 days backpacking, horse packing, and canoeing. Wilderness First Aid training.
SCHOLARSHIPS: MWS offers a generous, sliding scale scholarships to students and families who express and demonstrate the need for financial support. Interested families can use the financial aid application to apply. MWS also has the means to provide gear, clothing, and boots for any student in need.
COLLEGE CREDIT: Completion of our Yellowstone Expedition and Montana Expedition can earn two credits through the University of Montana Western and a 16-hour Wilderness First Aid certification.
Entrepreneurship Summer Program for High School Students
LaunchX brings together top aspiring high school entrepreneurs from around the world each summer, supporting you through the process of launching an actual startup.
You join a highly-curated group of promising young entrepreneurs from around the globe, learn from industry experts, and leverage our leading course materials and experienced team. Working with your peer co-founders, you build real products and solve business challenges in viable ways.
LaunchX isn’t a business plan competition – students start real companies.
Deadline: February 15th 2023