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Weekly Reader News
 Kids across the country are trying out careers this summer!
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Across the country, kids and teens are exploring different careers at camp. Career camps offer kids a chance to learn about jobs and think about their future. They’re also a lot of fun! Weekly Reader caught up with three campers who are enjoying their career camp experiences.
Future Zookeepers
Ten-year-old Brandon C. knows that he wants to be either a paleontologist or a zookeeper when he grows up. So Brandon, of Cockeysville, Md., is a natural fit for Zoo Camp at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Campers go behind the scenes and listen to zookeepers talk about the animals in their care. “It’s really cool working with the elephants and rhinos,” Brandon says.
Zoo Camp participants not only learn how zoos take care of their animals, they also see the zoo’s role in conservation. Campers are learning about the Maryland Zoo’s efforts to save rare bog turtles and local checkerspot butterflies.
Brandon recommends Zoo Camp to anyone interested in a career working with animals. “It’s a great chance to know the animals and see them every day,” he says.
Flying High
In Hazard, Ky., last week, 14-year-old Brett R. found himself soaring over mountains, cornfields, and highways. Brett, of Knott County, Ky., was a camper in the Aviation Museum of Kentucky’s summer aviation camp.
Campers work on flight plans and learn to navigate using tools such as a compass. But the best part, as Brett says, is “getting to fly an airplane.” Under the guidance of a licensed pilot, each camper has the chance to actually fly a plane for about half an hour.
The experience has made Brett think about his future in the sky. “I’d want to fly a plane to show other kids what the experience is like,” he says.
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For one week out of the year, kids take over the town. AmeriTowne, that is. Campers can learn what it’s like to run a business and manage their own town. The Colorado camp is run by the Young Americans Center for Financial Education.
"They teach us about different careers, how to manage our money, and balance a checkbook,” says AmeriTowne camper MacKenzie M., 12, of Denver. Each camper “interviews” for a different job in the town. This year, MacKenzie was an accountant. Next year, she hopes to run for mayor of AmeriTowne.
MacKenzie thinks AmeriTowne is a valuable experience. “It helps you figure out what you want to do,” says the future real estate lawyer and architect.
Maryland Zoo: Elephant conservation
www.marylandzoo.org/elephants/index.aspx
Maryland Zoo: Keeper Q&A blog
www.marylandzoo.org/blogs/index.aspx?BlogID=4
Aviation Museum of Kentucky
www.aviationky.org
Young Americans Center for Financial Education
www.yacenter.org
How much do you know about careers?
Take our Career Quiz and find out!
Take our Career Quiz and find out!
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