Events

On the GCAMP Calendar of Events you will find:

  • Career/Job Fairs – These are hiring events, often held in anticipation of an upcoming high school or community college graduation, meant to help graduating students find jobs.   Manufacturers - find your next employees here!
  • Career Expos - (also sometimes called Showcases or Trades Fairs) These events are slightly different from job fairs.   They are geared towards younger students to encourage them to pursue a career in industry.   The students at these events are not seeking jobs yet, but they are looking for information about possibly pursuing careers in industry.   Manufacturers are invited to these events to introduce the next generation to the field of manufacturing. 
  • Mock Interviews -These events are for students to learn interviewing skills.  Industry professionals are needed to help conduct the mock interviews, and employers sometimes find potential real-life hires at mock interviews.
  • Advisory Meetings – These meetings allow industry experts an opportunity to give their input on how educators can refine their programs for current trends and technology.  These are great events to connect industry with education.
  • Competition Judge Requests – Student skills competitions are great ways for members of industry to meet skilled students and educators.  Plus, they are often a fun way for those in industry to volunteer their time and give back to the community. 
  • Awards & Scholarships - Awards refer to contests or competitions for people, frequently students, in manufacturing.  Scholarships on our page are for students to help fund their education beyond high school.   See the scholarship descriptions for more details. 

Do you have an upcoming event that you would like us to add to the GCAMP Events calendar?  Tell us about it! 

Upcoming Events

College of DuPage logo

Dream It, Build It

Fuel your interest in design and engineering and gain new skills on manufacturing machinery. Students brainstorm and prototype their projects, then complete their creations using shop equipment. This two-week camp includes at least one field trip. Family members are invited on the final afternoon as students present their final projects.

Monday to Friday, July 7 to 18

9am to 4pm

YEECX-0002-101, $499

See page 31 for more information.

These camps give students the opportunity to explore the world of manufacturing. Camps include training on industry-standard equipment and field trips to local manufacturing facilities. 

Students should be dropped off and picked up in the Technical Education Center (TEC). A youth aide will be present for sign-in beginning at 8:45am each day. All students must be picked up within 15 minutes of class ending time. Please contact the Continuining Education Youth Coordinator at (630)942-2208 if before and after supervision is needed. Students should bring a sack lunch.

July 8th, 2025 09:00 AM - July 18th, 2025 04:00 PM

College of DuPage 425 Fawell Blvd, Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 0014. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Learn more

gcamp summer tours 25

GCAMP Summer Manufacturing Tours: Flexco

GCAMP is excited to host transformational summer tours for students (ages 12+) interested in STEM careers within manufacturing and industry.

  • Explore the educational pathways that align with high wage industry careers.
  • Go "behind the scenes" to see how some of the products we use every day are made.
  • Interact directly with engineers, plant operators, and other industry professionals.

Register for one or more manufacturing tours using the links below. Limited spots are available. Parents, teachers, and counselors are also invited to attend, but each participant must register.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore your future career path!

_______________________________

Join us at Flexco on July 8th from 9am-11am.

From its inception, Flexco has focused on just one thing, maximizing belt conveyor productivity. Whether you are a small farm in the Midwestern United States, or a large mine in eastern Europe, or a global parcel handling operation with facilities around the world, we are focused on becoming your number one resource for products and services that maximize your belt conveyor uptime, productivity, and safety.

 

QUICK FACTS ABOUT FLEXCO
  • Founded in 1907
  • Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois USA
  • Subsidiary locations in Australia, Chile, China, Germany, India, Mexico, Middle East, Singapore, South Africa, and the United Kingdom
  • Employs more than 800 people globally
  • Is a privately-held company
  • Holds 185 patents
  • Over 1800 distributor partners throughout the world
  • Supporting customers in more than 150 countries

July 8th, 2025 09:00 AM - July 8th, 2025 11:00 AM

2525 Wisconsin Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Learn more

College of DuPage logo

Cutting Edge Creators

Explore the high-tech world of manufacturing using CNC (Computerized Numerically Controlled) Equipment in the COD manufacturing labs. Students will learn how CNC has revolutionized industry, discuss potential career pathways, and learn how to create a CNC G-Code programs program to make an individualized project during this hands-on camp. Family members are invited on the final afternoon as students present their final projects. 

Monday-Friday, July 21-25

9am-2:50pm

YEEXC-0002-102, $249

See page 31 for more information.

These camps give students the opportunity to explore the world of manufacturing. Camps include training on industry-standard equipment and field trips to local manufacturing facilities. 

Students should be dropped off and picked up in the Technical Education Center (TEC). A youth aide will be present for sign-in beginning at 8:45am each day. All students must be picked up within 15 minutes of class ending time. Please contact the Continuining Education Youth Coordinator at (630)942-2208 if before and after supervision is needed. Students should bring a sack lunch.

July 21st, 2025 09:00 AM - July 25th, 2025 02:50 PM

College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 0014

Learn more

College of DuPage logo

Weld On!

Students learn about welding, metal fabrication, and safety measures from COD faculty through a mixture of lectures and hands-on competencies designed to foster a deeper appreication of the trade. The program highlights training and helps students map out career goals.

Monday to Thursday, July 28-31

8am-1pm

YEHSC-0003-210, $299

See page 46 for more information.

July 28th, 2025 08:00 AM - July 31st, 2025 01:00 PM

College of DuPage 425 Fawell Blvd, Technical Education Center (TEC), Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Learn more

College of DuPage logo

3D CAD Solid Modeling

Learn SolidWorks software and techniques to produce three-dimensional solids. Emphasis will be placed on creating and rendering 3D solid models, modifying, editing commands and dimensioning. This exploratory course is a good starting point for students interested in design and/or engineering.

Monday to Thursday, July 28-31

12:30pm-4pm

YEHSC-0003-108, $299

See page 46 for more information.

July 28th, 2025 12:30 PM - July 31st, 2025 04:00 PM

College of DuPage 425 Fawell Blvd, Technical Education Center (TEC), Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Learn more

Past Events

gcamp summer tours 25

GCAMP Summer Manufacturing Tours: Amsted Automotive

GCAMP is excited to host transformational summer tours for students (ages 12+) interested in STEM careers within manufacturing and industry.Explore the educational pathways that align with high wage industry careers.Go "behind the scenes" to see how some of the products we use every day are made.Interact directly with engineers, plant operators, and other industry professionals.Register for one or more manufacturing tours using the links below. Limited spots are available. Parents, teachers, and counselors are also invited to attend, but each participant must register.Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore your future career path!______________________Join us at Amsted Automotive on June 24th from 9am-11am.Amsted Industries is a global, diversified manufacturer of industrial components for rail, commercial vehicle, automotive, and construction and building applications. With over a century of engineering and manufacturing excellence and a commitment to ongoing product and process improvement, our businesses are all leaders in the markets they serve. 

June 24th, 2025 09:00 AM - June 24th, 2025 11:00 AM

737 Peyton St, Geneva, IL 60134

MCC logo

Camp Invention

Save the Date!: Camp Invention is a 4-day creative and open-ended learning camp which includes a rotation of four adventures for students in grades K-6.

June 23rd, 2025 09:00 AM - June 26th, 2025 04:00 PM

McHenry Country College

gcamp summer tours 25

GCAMP Summer Manufacturing Tours: Hoffer Plastics

GCAMP is excited to host transformational summer tours for students (ages 12+) interested in STEM careers within manufacturing and industry.Explore the educational pathways that align with high wage industry careers.Go "behind the scenes" to see how some of the products we use every day are made.Interact directly with engineers, plant operators, and other industry professionals.Register for one or more manufacturing tours using the links below. Limited spots are available. Parents, teachers, and counselors are also invited to attend, but each participant must register.Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore your future career path!________________________Join us at Hoffer Plastics on June 10th from 9am-11am.From our humble beginnings, Hoffer Plastics has grown to become an industry leader and innovator in the custom injection molding industry.  Today, we employ more than 350 people in our 365,000-square-foot facility on 24 acres. We produce more than three billion plastic parts annually and ship to countries around the globe. We have a consistent 99% on-time delivery record and have pioneered numerous product innovations, including the Trust-T-Lok™ line of safety closures for flexible pouch packages. Over the years, we’re proud to have been honored with numerous awards, including “Family Business of the Year," Plastics News “Processor of the Year," the Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award, 2022 Plastics News Sustained Excellence Award Winner, and Industry Week Best Plants Award 2024.

June 10th, 2025 09:00 AM - June 10th, 2025 11:00 AM

500 N Collins St, South Elgin, IL 60177

College of DuPage logo

GADgET Girls

Girls Adventuring in Design, Engineering, and TechnologyThis two-week camp introduces girls to design and manufacturing processes. Students complete their own projects through guided instruction, explore career paths in manufacturing and engage with women currently working in the field. This program includes at least one field trip. Family members are inviited on the final afternoon as students present their final projects.Monday to Friday, June 9-20 (no class on Thursday, June 19)9am-4pmYEEXC-0002-100, $449See page 31 for more information.These camps give students the opportunity to explore the world of manufacturing. Camps include training on industry-standard equipment and field trips to local manufacturing facilities. Students should be dropped off and picked up in the Technical Education Center (TEC). A youth aide will be present for sign-in beginning at 8:45am each day. All students must be picked up within 15 minutes of class ending time. Please contact the Continuining Education Youth Coordinator at (630) 942-2208 if before and after supervision is needed. Students should bring a sack lunch.

June 9th, 2025 09:00 AM - June 20th, 2025 04:00 PM

College of DuPage 425 Fawell Blvd, Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 0014. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

mHub logo

Build & Bash

ROBOT | Build & Bash is just three weeks out—don't miss your chance to register.Whether you're new to robotics, a seasoned builder, or just looking for a family fun day this event is your chance to create a bot, test your skills, and join the bracket competition for ultimate bragging rights. We'll have the tools, materials, and mentors—you bring the creativity.🎟️ General admission gets you in + access to building materials🛠️ Add a Robot Building Kit at checkout to hit the ground runningThe competition bracket kicks off at 3PM. Come build, bash, & cheer on your favorite bot!

June 7th, 2025 01:00 PM - June 7th, 2025 04:00 PM

mHUB | 1623 W. Fulton St., Chicago