BellSouth 'Pioneer Volunteers' Host Technology Camp for N.C. Teens

The weeklong session is called "Pioneering a Digital Future".

"The Pioneer organization has long been focused on meeting needs in K-12 education," said Dean Williamson of Raleigh, president of North Carolina's Pioneer Chapter 35. "As BellSouth employees and retirees, we are very interested in technology. This project marries those two components and allows us to impact the lives of the campers, as well as hundreds of students in their clubs back home."

Students came from Asheville, Greensboro, Charlotte, Wilmington and Raleigh after being selected based on academic achievement and leadership.

Camp programs include building of a computer, monitor and printer (which students will keep) and learning to play then teaching others how to utilize seven video games related to communications technology. The students also will build web sites. Scholarships worth $9,000 will also be awarded to participants.

The camp is expected to cost $40,000. The Pioneer organization has raised the money through membership dues and fundraising activities.