MAGIC Camp attendees and the planning committee smile for a group pic.
This summer, our local Central California Coast NAWIC (The National Association for Women in Construction) Chapter #174 took the initiative to organize and co-host the Central Coast’s first-ever MAGIC Camp. MAGIC Camp is short for Mentoring A Girl In Construction, and these camps are exclusively for female high school students interested in construction careers, giving them the opportunity to work with their hands on projects that range from mixing and pouring concrete to building bird houses and working with electricity. For most of these girls, it’s their first experience working on these types of projects – and it’s free.
A few girls decorate their concrete pavers.
Our Pink Tool Belts Team was lucky enough to spend a half-day hanging out with these girls and watching them create their own concrete pavers. We felt that if these teenage girls were going to get their hands dirty in construction projects, then they needed the right gear – the right Pink gear that is! We surprised the girls by giving them each their own Pink Tool Belt, and watching their appreciative and excited responses reaffirmed the reason we were there: to give back and inspire women to achieve their goals. Plus, we love to see a group of Pink-Tool-Belt-wearing women hard at work.
Our team had such a fun time hanging with this group of passionate young ladies that we want to give a big thanks to our friends at our local NAWIC Chapter; they are a group of amazing women who welcomed us out to their event. And we also want to give a shout out to the event co-hosts who were extremely accommodating – California Polytechnic State University’s Construction Innovations Center and the California Center of Construction Education.
Terri explains to the girls how throughout their careers they can help others too, as one young lady looks at pictures from Terri's Kenya Trip.
If you have a business that’s connected to the construction industry or if you know a high school student interested in the construction industry, consider getting involved in a MAGIC Camp in your area. We think you’ll find the experience well worth your time and/or donations.
Thanks for all you hard work NAWIC,
The Pink Tool Belts Team
Having been a girl interested in the construction industry during High School (and later the President of the Salt Lake City NAWIC Chapter), I know I would have appreciated this type of program to help me understand my options. Who knows, maybe I would have gone on to be an electrician or a contractor! And I know I would have LOVED to have a Pink Tool Belt. What a great opportunity. Thanks for all you do to help women in the construction industry!