Summer camp offers glimpse into Maxwell High programs

Maxwell High School of Technology teacher Max Chavez, left, talks with middle school students on Monday about changing a tire during a summer camp at the school. (Staff Photo: Keith Farner)

LAWRENCEVILLE If Kevin Bacchus has car trouble one day, hes prepared to reach back to some skills he learned this week.

The Richards Middle School sixth-grader is participating in an auto collision class this week as part of a four-day summer camp for middle school students at the Maxwell High School of Technology that runs through Thursday morning. Bacchus worked with his classmate, Peter Lauderdale, to change a tire among a host of mechanical lessons on tap.

This is something Ive always wanted to do, Bacchus said. If I get in a situation where my car breaks down and I have enough tools in the back to fix it, how do I do it? This will help me a little bit starting off to know about the future, to know how to fix the car if it breaks down and I have all the parts.

For his part, Lauderdale added that he wants to learn why warning lights come on, and how to fix a car to turn them off.

From auto services, to culinary students making sugar cookies and health science students learning about personal protective equipment, about 205 students are participating in the annual camp hoping to learn and sharpen skills. The camp is designed to introduce basic fundamentals of the 12 programs Maxwell offers. The camp also includes classes that teach basic science, graphic arts and early childhood education.

The biggest thing is it kind of opens kids eyes to what we do with career and technical education, Principal Jeff Hall said. Quite honestly, it may serve as a great recruiting tool for us when kids get to high school. To me, the biggest thing is to show the kids there is another option than a traditional high school.

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Summer camp offers glimpse into Maxwell High programs