Building careers from the ground up

By Dani Sheehan. 

Where was this when we were in school? See how one camp is changing the game for girls in construction. 

When Shelly Higgins, architectural and national accounts director with S-5!®, isn’t busy with her day job, she’s dedicated to building something even more important: the next generation of leaders in construction. Shelly’s passion for inspiring young girls to pursue careers in construction comes to life each summer with the Let's Build Construction Careers (LBCC) camp for girls. 

This week-long experience is designed to show middle and high school girls that the sky really is the limit when it comes to their futures, no matter what path they choose. As Shelly says, “It doesn’t matter that they’re girls – girls can do anything!” 

Laying the foundation 

From day one, these young women step into the camp with a strong sense of purpose. Just like applying for a job, the girls are required to complete an application explaining why they want to attend camp. When they arrive, each camper and her parents then sign a safety contract to lay the groundwork for the practical skills they will learn and to establish professional accountability. 

“We’re not just building skills,” Shelly says. “We’re building confidence, showing them that they can do anything they set their minds to.” During their first safety meeting, each camper receives a personalized tool bag and essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including hard hats, goggles, gloves and earplugs. Then, they’re given their tools, and they set off to work. 

Shelly delights in teaching the girls how to use a hammer properly. “At first, you’ll see one of the girls tapping lightly, going ‘tap, tap, tap’ with the hammer. I tell them, ‘Oh no, you’re never going to build anything that way. Keep your eye on the head of the nail.’ When I show them how to do it right, it’s like magic to them. It’s one thing when one of the guys helps, but when they see me or another woman do it in just two or three hits, they’re like, ‘Whoa, you did that!’ It’s empowering.” 

Framing the future 

As the girls dive into the week, it becomes clear that this camp is no ordinary experience. They are grouped into “companies”, and just like a real construction site, they receive a set of architectural plans from an architect and meet with industry professionals who guide them through the process. As part of the carpentry experience, they compete in a nailing competition, a fun way to break the ice and build instant teamwork. 

The volunteers and industry professionals are as excited to be there as the girls each year. Oatey is one of the bigger plumbing sponsors and they have a women’s group at work that looks forward to this camp each year. Shelly shares, “They said they love coming to the camp because they get to learn about other parts of their company, like the actual plumbing aspect. Many of them work in the accounting department or are in marketing or other admin areas of the company. They don’t actually use their products in their jobs and get to learn alongside the campers.” 

The projects don’t stop there. By the end of the week, these future builders have framed walls, installed roofing, hooked up electrical outlets and learned how to install vinyl siding. Each task is a building block toward understanding how different trades work together to create a whole structure. 

Getting hands-on 

Throughout the week, the campers work on projects ranging from installing solar panels to learning about masonry and drywall techniques. They also take field trips to manufacturing plants to see the bigger picture. One highlight is the visit to the ClarkDietrich plant, where the girls not only learn how metal framing works but also get to participate in the infamous forklift rodeo, driving a remote-control forklift through an obstacle course! “The plant loves having the girls,” Shelly boasts. “They always come up with something new and special, and this year the obstacle course was a real crowd-pleaser.” 

By the end of the camp, it’s time to add the final touches. The girls show off their personalities by bidding on flooring materials and painting their projects, creating a space that reflects their unique style. The week culminates in a skills competition and celebration, where everyone gets to see just how much these girls have accomplished. 

More than just a camp 

Shelly and her team at LBCC are committed to connecting the girls with mentors and volunteer opportunities, giving them a path to continue exploring careers in construction. “No matter what they want to do in life, we’re giving these girls the tools to build their futures,” Shelly says. And after spending a week at this camp, it’s clear that they’re ready to construct something amazing. 

The next camp is set for June 16-20, 2025, in Canfield, Ohio. Shelly already has plans for expanding to new cities and her goal is to take this incredible program nationwide. Consider volunteering or becoming a sponsor next year and be part of the excitement!