This past June the Calhoun County Career Technical Center in Jacksonville, Alabama hosted a three-day Cosmetology Boot Camp. The camp was so successful, participants are asking that it be scheduled again for next year and extended to a full week.
The three day camp was packed with learning opportunities. The first day began with attendees creating a vision board that listed things like family members, hobbies and future plans. The girls were then instructed by Salon Alon employees in the art of pedicures and manicures. A representative from Mary Kay Cosmetics was also on hand to demonstrate how to apply makeup correctly.
The second day entailed a discussion in cosmetology careers. “These girls were exposed to all the opportunities in the cosmetology field,” said Sherry Laster, an instructor at the Technical Center.
Next came a visit from Dr. Cynthia Goldsmith-Fletcher, MD to discuss the female body. Loretta Moore from Angle Attitudes dropped by to discuss self-esteem issues and emphasize the importance of a good attitude.
On the third day, a sheriff’s department representative talked to the girls about bullying and human trafficking, followed by a pizza party provided by Domino’s and Papa John’s.
The camp was the brainchild of Laster who is a barber and cosmetology instructor at the center. She says that there was a need to introduce teen girls to the many opportunities available within the cosmetology field. Many girls tend to think only of hair stylists when it comes to cosmetology but Laster pointed out other related careers such as barbering, make-up artistry, product chemistry, esthetics and manicuring.
She said she pitched the idea for the camp to her director at the center and he was on board right away. Laster organized the mini-lectures and scheduled the guest speakers on topics designed to resonate with teen girls.
Campers and parents alike were pleased with the program and many have already committed to attending again in 2016.