Madera Unified students learn life skills in final week of winter break through 'Next Level Camp'

MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- The English classroom at Desmond Middle School was filled with anything but metaphors and analogies Tuesday.

Instead, it was all about reality and what to do in life or death situations.

It was part of Madera Unified's "Next Level Camp" taking place all this week.

It's made up of four different subjects, including the future first responder class, where students are learning CPR.

"It's been a little fun and weird at the same time because I've never done CPR before, so it's kind of awesome, kind of weird, but you get kind of used to it," eighth-grade student Aniyah Robles said.

Students like Aniyah learned to pump on a person's chest at the correct pace - the beat of the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive" and how to use an AED.

Growth Point Technologies puts on the course for the winter camp.

CEO Cesar Luevanos says they focus on career readiness for middle school students and make sure they have skills they'll be able to list on their resume.

"We want to make sure that they're not just coming in and watching videos. We want them to get really hands-on as close to real-life experience as possible," Luevanos said.

By Friday, the goal is to ensure every student is CPR certified.

Students spend the full day at camp, so in addition to the first responder course, they're also working to master healthy recipes with Chef Mel, design their own 3D creations and shoot an arrow into the bullseye with archery.

Camp is completely free and includes breakfast, lunch, and snack as well as transportation.

Suzanne Dudney, the district's Director of Expanded Learning Programs, says winter camps are aimed at broadening students' learning.

"You know, reading, writing, math, that's all really important, but these skills are also important as well," Dudney said.

With the return to the spring semester less than one week away, Aniaya says this is a great way to ease back into the classroom.

"It feels like you're in school, but you're not really," Aniaya said.

This Thursday is a community night.

All Madera Unified families are invited to Desmond Middle School between 5 and 7 p.m. They'll be able to try out the Ninja Course and indulge in free food trucks.

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