Construction camp empowers young girls

By Johns Manville. 

A hands-on experience sparking interest in construction careers. 

In the bustling heart of Phoenix, Arizona, a unique and empowering camp is quietly revolutionizing the way young girls see their futures. Designed to inspire and educate, Let’s Build Construction Camp sponsored by Johns Manville, offers an unparalleled opportunity for middle and high school girls to explore the world of architecture, engineering and construction. With hands-on activities, expert mentorship and a supportive community, the camp promises to unlock potential and ignite passion in the next generation of builders and creators. 

The camp — June 10-14 at Carpenters Local Union 1912 in Phoenix, Arizona — was founded to “ignite the spark within girls to explore the built environment through architecture, engineering, construction and building materials manufacturing-related careers.” Started in 2016 by Kirsten Fallon, Jon Lattin, and Janet Grazul, Let’s Build “takes a proactive approach to addressing workforce shortages and increasing women participation in the AECM industry by introducing young girls to the opportunities available to them.” 

The weeklong camp is free for middle and high school-age girls to attend, thanks in part to sponsors, which this year included Johns Manville. In addition, JM staffers Minnie Robles, Arizona sales rep, and Laura LoDico, a marketing specialist based in Denver acted as mentors for campers. 

Other sponsors of the Phoenix camp included Arizona Roofing Contractors Association, Western States Carpenters Union, FM Solutions, Classic Roofing, Cannon and Wendt Electric, RSMii, Star Roofing, Pacific Supply, PPG Paints, Progressive Roofing, Behr Paints, ATAS International, Beacon Building Products, Flynn Companies, Spectra Specs, Headlee Roofing, E2 Optics, Elite Roofing Supply, Touchdown Sports and several others who provided in-kind donations. 

During the camp, girls ages 13 to 17 were divided into mock construction companies. The teams, with guidance from mentors, assembled a complete wall mock-up and learned skills in carpentry, electrical, drywall, siding, painting, flooring and finishes. Girls also learned “soft skills,” such as communication, problem-solving and leadership, instilling them with confidence along with construction knowledge. 

Each year, campers also take field trips to construction material manufacturers, architectural offices and engineering firms to get first-hand knowledge from the pros. This year, Phoenix attendees visited The Reference Library to learn about specifications and samples of materials; ART Architects, where they toured a construction site for the “Living Building;” Home Depot to learn how to purchase paint; ATAS International to learn manufacturing of metal panels, and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, where they ended the day with an ice cream social. 

Robles, a camp director, has been involved with Let’s Build for four years, and this year hosted the second camp in Phoenix, along with her co-director Heather Unger from FM Solutions. 

"When I first became involved in Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls four years ago, I knew there was a big need in our communities to give girls an opportunity to grow, experience and learn about the trades. I fell in love with the trades several years ago and it has spurred me to give back to the community in a meaningful way,” Robles said. “After Heather, my co-director, and I hosted the first camp in Phoenix in 2023, we quickly realized we learn more from the girls than they learn from us, so it’s great opportunity for us to return all the industry has given us and, in the process, give them skills, confidence and leadership abilities to take with them as they grow.” 

Another Let’s Build Camp was June 17-21 at Bethlehem Area Vocational and Technical School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, at which Robles volunteered to gain additional experience and learn additional scheduling and skills to continue hosting camps in Arizona.   

Original article source: Johns Manville