Elmore County Technical Center
Camp Discovery
The Elmore County Technical Center hosted Camp Discovery, the annual CTE exploration for rising freshmen in Elmore County Schools, May 28-31 on the ECTC campus in Wetumpka. More than 80 students representing each community across the district participated in hands-on activities that explored the 16 different CTE programs that are offered on the ECTC campus as well as Cooperative Education. Students took part in typical activities that demonstrate a “day-in-the-life” of an ECTC student in each program. During Camp Discovery, students also received bus transportation to the ECTC campus from their homes as well as lunch and snacks each day.
Every student rotated through every program to complete the exploration experience as many students discover an interest in an area they might never have explored otherwise.
Camp Discovery began in 2016 and has been an annual event on the ECTC campus except for 2020. During the eight summers of the event, more than 550 students have participated in the activities offered, and many former campers have returned as student workers to lead the groups through the activities as current ECTC students.
From Camp Discovery attendees who graduated from Elmore County Schools during the cohort years of 2020-2024 (those who attended 2016-2019 camps), 97% took a CTE class and 66% enrolled in ECTC. Of those who took ECTC courses, 65% were returners for a 2nd and/or 3rd year, often in the same program track, making them CTE Completers for College & Career Readiness.
ECTC Programs:
1. Automotive Service
2. Aviation Technology
3. Building Construction
4. Culinary Arts
5. Cybersecurity
6. Diesel Technology
7. Drafting & Technical Design
8. Educators in Training
9. Electrical Technology
10. Hospitality & Tourism
11. HVAC
12. Information Technology (IT)
13. Medical Sciences
14. Plumbing & Pipefitting
15. Public Safety & Law
16. Welding
Cooperative Education is housed on the ECTC campus and available to students across the school district in grades 11-12. Students earn course credit during their school day for employment in a variety of industries – including many in their CTE program pathway.
