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

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 running

The 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

Learn more

College of DuPage logo

GADgET Girls

Girls Adventuring in Design, Engineering, and Technology

This 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-4pm

YEEXC-0002-100, $449

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.

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

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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!

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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

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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

Learn more

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

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Past Events

Thomas Jefferson MS logo

TJMS Career Fair

The new Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Hoffman Estates is hosting the first-ever TJMS Career Fair on May 28th, and we invite you to participate! The career fair is a wonderful opportunity for TJMS students to learn about a wide range of professions, ask questions, and explore future career paths. Students will only have a few minutes to chat at each table, so no presentations or preparation are required. TJMS Career FairDate: Wednesday, May 28thTime: 7:00 am - 2:10 pm (half day option available as well)We would be grateful to have a presence at the Career Fair. Thank you for supporting TJMS students and helping to inspire the next generation!

May 28th, 2025 07:00 AM - May 28th, 2025 02:10 PM

Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 3805 Winston Dr, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

5.15.25 West Aurora Mock Interviews

Employer Breakfast & Mock Interviews

You are invited to an employer advisory meeting and mock interviews of West Aurora High School Weisner Center students from the Building Trades, Machining and Welding programs.Who is invited: 1.) Employers in the Aurora area interested in learning more about the current programming at the Weisner Center in Building Trades, Machining and Welding.2.) Employers in the Aurora area hiring for positions in Building Trades, Machining and Welding.Breakfast Agenda7:30 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. - Check-in with continental breakfast7:45 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. - Employer advisory meeting for Machining and Welding8:45 a.m. - 11:06 a.m. - Mock interviews of Machining and Welding students11:30 a.m. - 12:58 p.m. - Mock interviews of Building Trades and Welding students1:20 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Mock interviews of Building Trades, Machining and Welding students

May 15th, 2025 07:30 AM - May 15th, 2025 02:45 PM

Weisner Center, 1920 W. Galena Blvd. Aurora

Elgin Community College

Manufacturing Student Showcase

We are thrilled to invite you to Elgin Community College's first-ever Manufacturing Student Showcase! This is an open house event that welcomes people of all ages to explore sustainable manufacturing concepts designed and fabricated by ECC’s talented manufacturing students. See how traditional manufacturing practices are shaping the industry's future and discover how ECC’s tailored curriculum aligns with the needs of the local economy.Help us celebrate the end of the spring semester and kick off summer with delicious summer picnic favorites like burgers and hot dogs and don’t forget to enter the raffle for your chance to win a prize! Bring your family, friends, and colleagues to discover the incredible work happening in ECC’s Manufacturing programs. Please RSVP at elgin.edu/showcase. We look forward to celebrating the creativity and hard work of our students with you. Your presence will not only support these emerging professionals but also strengthen the bonds within our local manufacturing community. 

May 9th, 2025 05:30 PM - May 9th, 2025 07:30 PM

Elgin Community College, Bldg. O, 1770 Spartan Dr, Elgin, IL 60123

Naperville 203 logo

The 203 Network Event

The 203 Network event brings together community leaders, business professionals, current volunteers, and new partners eager to help Naperville 203 students. Brought to you by the Workforce Innovation Council, this event provides an opportunity to discover ways to get involved and collaborate with those already making a difference.When: Thursday, May 8, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PMWhere: Granite City Food & Brewery, 1828 Abriter Ct, Naperville, ILJoin us to explore how we can continue to empower students, strengthen our workforce pipeline, and create a brighter future for our community. Post-Event Invitation: After the networking event, all attendees are invited to walk over to Embassy Suites for Naperville 203's Business INCubatoredu Pitch Night! Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton, 1823 Abriter Court, Naperville, IL 60563 6:00 – 6:45 PM: Student Showcases & Wild Card Presentations6:45 – 9:00 PM: Pitch Competition  Come support Naperville 203’s young entrepreneurs as they present their innovative ideas and compete for funding to bring their businesses to life!

May 8th, 2025 04:00 PM - May 8th, 2025 06:00 PM

Granite City Food & Brewery, 1828 Abriter Ct. Naperville, IL

Mazak 5.6.25 event

Do More With Mazak Midwest

Discover More with Mazak at the Midwest Event.Mark your calendar for Do More With Mazak Midwest, three-days of machine tool technology, automation and information you won’t want to miss May 6 – 8 at our Midwest Technology Center in Schaumburg, Illinois. See 19 live demonstrations that will take your shop to the next level. • Full five-axis machines like the next generation VARIAXIS i-700 NEO with a 2-pallet changer • CNC vertical machining and turning centers including the high-accuracy HCN-4000 NEO • Mazak’s full family of Swiss-type turning machines ranging from 10 to 38mm bar capacities. • DONE IN ONE® part processing and Multi-Tasking machines like the INTEGREX i-150 and QT-Ez 10MY with Cobot automation Plus, learn more about how to do more and make more with: • ‘Looking Forward - Manufacturing 2025’ with Mazak President Dan Janka • Technical sessions with our industry and application experts

May 6th, 2025 10:00 AM - May 8th, 2025 02:45 PM

300 Commerce Dr. Schaumburg, IL 60173