A group of Janesville students had a unique and enriching spring break camp experience thanks to a STEM-focused program at the Boys & Girls Club Janesville (BGCJ). With financial and in-kind support from TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS®), BGCJ hosted 48 students ranging from ages 6-18 at a week-long hands-on camp called Building Blocks for the Future, Connected by TDS, which gives local students the opportunity to design and plan a home from the ground up while learning from business and community leaders.
“The Building Blocks for the Future camp was designed so the kids could work through each step of the building process, from designing floor plans and bedrooms to interior design and landscaping,” explains TDS Associate Manager of Field Marketing Liz Starling. “Each day, professionals from different industries came to help campers through a new phase of the project, helping them understand how homes and people from different trades work together to build our community.”
At the end of the week, campers presented their completed house designs to the full group, explaining their choices and what they learned during the process.
“This camp gave our members an opportunity to learn directly from the very professionals helping build the future of our community—including their own Club,” said BGCJ Resource Development Director Nicole Rusch. “That connection made the experience even more meaningful, as they could see firsthand how their ideas and interests can translate into real careers.”
To support the spring break program, TDS contributed $1,000 to the BGCJ, provided coordination support and speakers, along with a swag bag for each participant.
“At TDS, we believe early exposure to STEM concepts helps spark curiosity and confidence,” said Starling. “This program gives students a chance to explore problem-solving, creativity and teamwork in a way that’s engaging and practical.”
Building Blocks for the Future, Connected by TDS reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting STEM education and investing in the communities it serves. Headquartered in Madison, TDS is Janesville’s newest and only all-fiber internet service provider. The company connected the first Janesville customers to its high-speed network in July 2024 and continues to build out its state-of-the-art infrastructure across the community.
