GREAT FALLS – Cyber security is a growing career field, and this summer the Center for Lifelong Learning at Great Falls College MSU is offering a camp to get teens interested in pursuing that career.
The CyberCamp is just one of many camps and classes for kids being offered at GFC MSU this summer. Lifelong Learning is focusing heavily on computer-related camps.
“We have taken a look at the offerings in our area and realized there really aren’t a lot of tech camps,” said Heather Palermo, director of Lifelong Learning at Great Falls College MSU.
This is the first time the college will offer CyberCamp, which was developed by the Air Force Association as part of the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education Program.
The CyberPatriot Program offers competitions throughout the year.
“During this CyberCamp, students will be taught the basic skill for future CyberPatriot competitions,” said Chris Mee, GFC MSU Computer Technology instructor, who will also be the instructor for CyberCamp.
During the CyberPatriot competitions, teams are given an image of a complete operating systems or a network. They then run through scenarios to change the security levels and specific attributes of those systems to protect them from outside threats.
The camp will cover different areas of cyber security each day and will culminate with a mini-competition.
“They will go through and learn the valuable skills needed in cyber safety and cybersecurity, and then they will compete,” Mee said.
The CyberCamp runs June 11-15 and is offered to students ages 12 to 18.
Mee hopes the CyberCamp will get more students interested in competing in the CyberPatriot program. C.M. Russell High School currently has a Cyber Club and competes in the program.
“Our hope is that we will gain interest and expand the CyberPatriot Program to other local and regional schools,” Mee said.
Other computer camps offered through Lifelong Learning this summer include Minecraft, Python Programming, 3D video game design, LittleBigPlanet and more.
Lifelong Learning will also offer some non-computer camps for kids, including cooking, baking, photography and creative writing.
“One of our most popular summer classes is the Basics of Childcare Plus CPR,” Palermo said. “We’re offering it three times this summer.”
The camps range in length, but most run Monday through Friday, either in the morning or afternoon.
While Lifelong Learning shifts its focus in the summer to offering kids’ camps, it still offers some adult classes.
“We have some exciting new adult classes this session,” Palermo said. “For instance, there is an outdoor rock climbing class and a course on becoming a fishing guide.”
Many favorite classes are back as well, including fly fishing, yoga, Dutch oven cooking, and prospecting and gem hunting.
Registration for all camps and classes is now open. Participants can save $5 before May 21 by using promo code SUMMER18FUN. To see a complete list, visit gfcmsu.edu/lifelonglearning.
For more information, contact:
Erin Granger
Marketing Specialist
Phone: 406-771-4314
[email protected]
Lewis Card
Executive Director—Development, Communications & Marketing
Phone: 406-771-4412
[email protected]
