Five full-day camps at the SWVA Higher Ed Center will give middle school students opportunities to explore careers, develop new skills and discover future possibilities.
When school is out, middle school students can keep learning, creating and discovering at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.
The Higher Ed Center is launching Discovery Days, a series of five full-day camps for students in grades six through eight. Scheduled for days when Washington County Public Schools is closed, each Discovery Day will introduce students to a new field through interactive projects, career exploration and activities led by local educators and community partners.
Discovery Days will give students opportunities to explore interests beyond the traditional classroom while strengthening problem-solving, teamwork and critical-thinking skills. Through hands-on experiences, participants will see how subjects they encounter in school connect to higher education, careers and industries in Southwest Virginia.
The first Discovery Day, Healthcare & Innovative Technology, will take place October 12 during fall break. Students will explore healthcare careers and innovative technology through age-appropriate activities connected to simulation, problem-solving and applied learning.
The November 3 Discovery Day, Make & Create, will focus on creativity, design and hands-on projects that encourage students to experiment with ideas and express themselves in new ways.
Additional Discovery Days are scheduled for:
- January 18, 2027
- February 15, 2027
- March 24, 2027
Themes for the 2027 dates will be announced as program details are finalized.
Each Discovery Day will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon. Snacks and refreshments will be provided, and students should bring a packed lunch. Participants will learn in a safe, supervised and welcoming environment.
By connecting students with educators, professionals and community partners, Discovery Days can help young people recognize their strengths, discover new interests and begin imagining the educational and career paths available to them close to home.
Families can visit www.swcenter.edu/discoverydays to register.
