Everything You Need to Know About CyberMT’s GenCyber Camps [2023]

Posted on by The Cyber Montana Team

Missoula College and Great Falls College MSU are excited to hold our NSA-sponsored GenCyber Summer Institutes. The 2023 GenCyber Camps consist of 8 weeks of online pre-sessions, 1 week of in-person sessions at the location closest to you, and close with 8 additional post-sessions. Registration for both camps is currently open. 

What is GenCyber?

The GenCyber Summer Institute for middle school students focuses on cybersecurity and networking.  This program strives to be a part of the solution to the Nation’s shortfall of skilled cybersecurity professionals. Ensuring that enough young people are inspired to utilize their talents in cybersecurity is critical to the future of our country’s national and economic security as we become even more reliant on cyber-based technology in every aspect of our daily and professional lives. 

The primary goals of the GenCyber program are to:

  • Ignite, sustain and increase awareness of K12 cybersecurity content and cybersecurity postsecondary and career opportunities for participants through year-round engagement.
  • Increase student diversity in cybersecurity college and career readiness pathways at the K-12 level; 
  • Facilitate teacher readiness within a teacher-learning community to learn, develop, and deliver cybersecurity content for the K-12 classroom in collaboration with other nationwide initiatives.

*The bullet points above were sourced directly from GenCyber’s website. 

What are the origins of GenCyber?

GenCyber began in 2014. Initially, there were eight camps. Currently, this number has increased to over 150 camps. These camps span 44 states, plus DC and Puerto Rico. 

Who are the GenCyber Camps geared towards?

GenCyber camps are designed for students K-12. Funding is provided by the National Security Association (NSA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). A goal is to spark interest or light a flame in students before they complete high school, leading more students, and a more diverse group of students, to pursue entering Cybersecurity programs as a post-secondary pathway. 

Where are Montana’s GenCyber Camps held?

Currently, Montana will hold GenCyber Camps in both Missoula and Great Falls.Both camps include

  • An online pre-camp: April 4 – May 24 (Tuesday and Wednesday, 7pm – 8pm)
  • An in-person camp:
    • Missoula’s in-person camp will be held June 19 – 23 at Missoula College (8am – 5pm)
    • Great Fall’s in-person camp will be held June 12 – 16 at Great Falls College (8am – 5pm)
  • An online post-camp: July 11 – Aug 23 (Tuesday and Wednesday, 7pm – 8pm)

These camps are open to any middle school student, ages 11 – 14, interested in exploring cybersecurity. You do not have to live in Great Falls or Missoula to attend. Attendees are expected to participate in the entirety of camp, including the in-person camps. 

How can the GenCyber Camps benefit your children?

Cybersecurity is not commonly taught in schools. Schools or institutions receiving a GenCyber camp grant can change that. To receive one of the grants, a school or institution must submit a comprehensive application in the winter. The development of curricula and lesson plans infuse cybersecurity principles across content areas. 

We currently live in a time where so many items and aspects of our lives are tied to “The Internet of Things” (IoT). Cybersecurity impacts all of our lives, whether it is physical devices, social media, online accounts, and so much more. Knowing, understanding, and practicing cybersecurity best practices plays, and will continue to play, a large role in all of our lives and futures. 

The activities presented include:

  • Hands-on exercises
  • Networking
  • Secure communications
  • System vulnerabilities
  • System exploitation

All student participants will receive a Le Potato (micro-computer) that will be theirs to keep after the program is complete. Lunch and snacks are also provided. 

How to register your children for one of Montana’s GenCyber Camps

Registering for the GenCyber Camps is simple! Registration can be found on the CyberMontana website. Please fill out the online form. The CyberMontana team will reach out closer to the camp’s start. Students do need to commit to the pre-camp, in-person camp, and post-camp. We ask that students register by Friday, March 31, 2023.   

Register for Montana’s GenCyber Camps today

The GenCyber Summer Institutes are a fun and welcoming opportunity for your child to delve into aspects of cybersecurity. The GenCyber, and STEM, summer camps strive to be part of the solution to the nation’s shortfall of skilled cybersecurity professionals. Ensuring that enough young people are inspired to utilize their talents in cybersecurity is critical to the future of our country’s national and economic security as we become even more reliant on cyber-based technology in every aspect of our daily lives. We look forward to working with some of you and your children this summer!