A Free Summer Camp For High-Schoolers Encourages Cyber Hacking. The DSU Cyber Stars Camp In Madison Encourages Students To Think About Careers In Cyber Security.

Usually summer camps include swimming, canoeing or sitting around campfires making s'mores.  Yes, that sounds like a good time, but what if you could send your kid to a camp that encouraged computer hacking? Believe it or not, there is a camp for that...and it's FREE!

This July 20th-25th, Dakota State University in Madison will be hosting a camp for high school students (grades 10 through 12) designed to educate and excite students who may not have considered studying and working in cyber security.  The students will be able to work in hands-on educational sessions with DSU professors and current students, learning about hacking and exploring cyber security.

This cyber security camp is free to students who want to attend, but registration is required.  Your student will be placed on a waiting list if all camper spots are full.  There is no cost, because Dakota State was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop and host a cyber security camp. The grant allows DSU to host about 100 students on campus for the camp, again not costing the student anything.

Students will be allowed to stay in the DSU dorms Sunday, July 20th through Thursday, July 24th.  DSU students will be on campus with the high school students acting as counselors.

Parking will also be free on campus, but students who drive themselves to the DSU Cyber Stars camp will be required to turn in their vehicle keys during the week.

Campers interested in attending the camp will not only leave with more knowledge about cyber security and possible careers in cyber security, but also free bags, shirts, books, hacker toys, and all sorts of other goodies.