Techie Camps

Techie Camp Partnership Spotlight: DCI & AZ StRUT

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The Digital Connect Initiative (DCI), powered by Gila River Telecommunications, Inc., is proud to collaborate with AZ StRUT (Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology) to deliver impactful, hands-on technology education through Techie Camps across the Gila River Indian Community. Each session is guided by AZ StRUT’s proven curriculum and supported by both DCI and partnering Gila River schools or organizations to host in a safe and supportive learning space.

Techie Camps - Each camp is an opportunity for youth to explore the world of STEM in a safe, inclusive environment while learning essential digital skills are interactive, one-day workshops designed to introduce teens to key areas of technology in a fun and accessible way.

 

Each camp runs approximately four hours and focuses on one of the following:

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• Students, especially among Indigenous youth, learn about computer components, assembly, and maintenance. They gain hands-on experience identifying hardware parts and understanding how computers function. This camp also equips students with essential tools for navigating the internet safely. Topics include secure password creation, identifying spam and malware, and protecting personal information online. At the end of the workshop, each participant takes home a refurbished laptop to support their continued learning.

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A Shared Mission, Led by DCI

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At the heart of the Digital Connect Initiative (DCI) is a commitment to digital inclusion, empowerment, and creating opportunities for the community to thrive through technology, envisioning a flourishing, self-sufficient indigenous community that is in command of technological advancements and uses current and emerging technologies to achieve wholistic prosperity that is consistent with our heritage of innovation and industriousness and in keeping with our culture and traditional values. 

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DCI leads this effort by providing accessible, culturally grounded tech education and resources to develop digital skills, and increase confidence in working with technology. Our partner, AZ StRUT, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, complements this mission by supporting Arizona’s technical education and promoting sustainability through the recycling and reuse of technology.

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Together, DCI and AZ StRUT are creating pathways for Gila River Indian Community youth to spark curiosity explore, engage, and excel in the digital world. Not only bridging the digital divide—we are building the next generation of Indigenous tech leaders -one student, -one device at a time.