MAGIC Camp Exposes Teen Girls to Heavy Equipment, Welding

Renee Connor, the national executive director of Mentoring a Girl in Construction (MAGIC), conducted her ninth annual construction camp for girls ages 14 to 18 last week. According to an article in the Daily Tribune, the camp gives high school girls a preview of what it might be like to have a career as a carpenter, welder, electrician, or heavy equipment operator. 

According to the article, the girls always start the weeklong camp with “OSHA day” on Monday. An OSHA safety director also helps the girls earn their 10-hour OSHA certification through the program.

As the week goes on, campers are exposed to skills in heavy equipment, carpentry, electrical wiring, and welding. After learning about each construction medium, the girls put their skills to the test creating things like a candle holder, and a Mason jar lamp. 

Conner told the Daily Tribune that many campers were most excited about operating heavy equipment, and welding activities.

“Some enjoyed different [days], but the most popular is welding and heavy equipment because most were scared or never driven or operated anything, and most are pyro bugs and enjoyed making sparks and taking washers and bolts and actually turning it into a piece of art,” she told the Daily Tribune.

The camp held a graduation banquet and ceremony on the final day, where campers were able to showcase their projects to attendees. Two awards were also presented during the ceremony-- the Safety Award and the Friendly Award--with each winner receiving wooden tool boxes with $300-$400 worth of real tools. 

Each camper also received a MAGIC lapel pin, and a certificate of completion.

Source: Daily Tribune