Dakota College Hosts sUAS Industry Bootcamp in 2026

Dakota College at Bottineau is quietly becoming one of the more interesting places in the US if you care about practical drone education, especially the kind that actually leads to jobs instead of just Instagram clips and dusty certificates.

In spring 2026, the college will host its second sUAS Industry Bootcamp, running from March 31 through April 1, and this time the program arrives with momentum, structure, and a very clear focus on real world work.

This is not a casual intro course for hobbyists who just bought their first quadcopter. The bootcamp is designed for professionals in agriculture, natural resources, and related industries who already understand that drones are tools, not toys, and who need to know how to deploy them safely, legally, and profitably.

A bootcamp built around real industry needs

The sUAS Industry Bootcamp is part of Dakota College at Bottineau’s broader effort under a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education grant, with the goal of strengthening the rural workforce in North Dakota and beyond.

The emphasis is on producing technicians who can step into the field and contribute on day one, not after six months of trial and error.

The program is structured in three major parts, each designed to build on the previous one without overwhelming participants who are balancing work, family, and weather that can turn on you faster than a compass error.

First comes more than 24 hours of required online curriculum. This portion covers FAA regulations, flight planning, weather fundamentals, and basic drone maintenance. It is the unglamorous side of drone operations, the part that keeps you out of trouble and out of the news, and it runs from February 9 through March 27.

By the time participants arrive on campus, they are expected to know the rules, understand the risks, and speak the same technical language.

Next is the in person workshop at the Bottineau campus. This is where theory meets propellers. Over two full days, participants will log practice flights, work directly with experienced instructors, and hear from guest speakers who actually use drones in agriculture and natural resource management.

There may also be field excursions, which is code for getting out of the classroom and seeing how drones are used when the ground is uneven, the wind is unpredictable, and the data actually matters.

The final component is a capstone project aligned with each participant’s employer or professional goals. This project ties everything together and concludes with a virtual showcase in May, giving participants a chance to demonstrate what they have learned and how it applies to their specific industry.

What participants get, and why it matters

One of the more appealing aspects of this bootcamp is how much is included. Participants receive all course materials, housing and meals during the in person workshop, a bootcamp t-shirt, and access to instructors and peers who are already working in the field.

That matters, because drone education is often fragmented, expensive, or overly theoretical, leaving students with knowledge but no clear path forward.

By contrast, Dakota College at Bottineau is building stackable certifications that integrate directly into degree programs in Natural Resources, Agriculture, Fish and Wildlife, and Business.

This approach reflects a broader understanding that drones are no longer a niche skill. They are becoming part of everyday operations, from crop monitoring and land management to inspections and data collection.

The college has also been sharing its model with others. Instructors from DCB presented at the National Science Foundation’s conference in Washington, DC, helping other schools understand how to replicate their success.

That kind of peer recognition usually means a program is doing something right, especially in a field where buzzwords often outnumber flight hours.

Registration details and timing

Registration for the 2026 bootcamp opened January 1 and closes February 4. Space is limited, and based on the success of the 2025 program, spots are expected to fill quickly. The online coursework begins February 9, with completion required by March 27, ensuring that everyone arrives prepared for the hands on portion.

The in person workshop runs March 31 through April 1 at the Bottineau campus. For additional information or to register, interested participants can contact Dr. Linda Burbidge at Dakota College at Bottineau.

DroneXL’s Take

This is the kind of drone education the industry needs more of, practical, structured, and tied directly to real jobs instead of vague promises. Dakota College at Bottineau is not trying to turn everyone into a cinematic pilot or a YouTube star, and that is a compliment.

By focusing on agriculture and natural resources, and by backing the program with serious NSF support, DCB is showing how drones can quietly become essential tools in rural America. If more schools followed this model, the drone workforce would look a lot more competent, and a lot less confused, in a very short time.

Photo credit: Dakota College at Bottineau