The SAME Engineering and Construction Camps are gearing up for the 2005 camp season. High school students can choose to apply to two distinctly different camps: the U.S. Air Force Academy camp held in Colorado Springs, Colo.; and the U.S. Navy Seabees camp held at the Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme, Calif.

The Engineering and Construction Camps give students the opportunity to spend a week learning and performing realistic engineering tasks, such as testing the strength of concrete beams and building sheds. These camps are designed to educate students about careers in the A/E/C industry and encourage them to study engineering or related fields in college.

In a recent survey conducted by SAME:

86 percent of the students who attended a camp in previous years indicated that their camp experiences had encouraged them to study, engineering or a related field.

99 percent of the respondents who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program are studying an engineering or related discipline.

69 percent of the camp students indicated that they were interested in enrolling in an ROTC program or attending a Service Academy.

29 percent of the respondents who are enrolled in an undergraduate program participate in ROTC Programs.

SAME is asking Posts to become more involved in the Engineering and Construction Camps program by encouraging local students to attend or by sponsoring their attendance. We also encourage Posts to sponsor a mentor as well. Keep in mind that the cost to sponsor individuals for the camps can be supported by the Post Education and Mentoring Fund.

For more information on the 2005 Engineering and Construction Camps, visit www.same.org/camps and view the Post section, or contact Diane Schreiber, Training and Post Operations Specialist, at 703-549-3800 ext. 54; e-mail: dschreiber@same.org.