What’s the Hottest Destination for

High School Girls this summer?The MAGIC (Mentoring a Girl in Construction)

Summer CampWhere Girls Build, Create and Learn About Diverse Careers in

Construction!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Topeka, KS – (June 18 – 22, 2012) When temperatures rise to mid-June levels

many high school girls find relief at air-conditioned malls or in the clear blue waters of a

swimming pool. But the girls enrolled in the free, one week, MAGIC (Mentoring a Girl in Construction) Summer Camp will be turning up the heat as they build skills that could lead

to a rewarding career in construction.

MAGIC Summer Camp is designed to offer high school girls the opportunity to learn about

the countless avenues of employment for women in the construction industry and to engage

them using hands-on training in the basic skills of safety, carpentry, engineering, electrical,

transportation/highway construction, wind technology, and other construction trades. This

opportunity to perform the challenging tasks of basic construction skills and to experience the

exhilaration of successfully performing difficult tasks builds their self-confidence, leadership

ability and a “can-do” attitude.

During this one-week, day camp, the girls will make new friends, learn new talents, and

explore career options that they have never considered. Under the watchful eyes of Topeka

Chapter #142 of the NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) members,

ywca Topeka Career Assistance Network staff, KDOT and contractor volunteers, the girls

learn about the history of NAWIC, possible scholarship information, meet women role models

in the construction industry and are encouraged in each task they perform.

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*MAGIC Construction Summer Camp *Mentoring A Girl in Construction

CONTACT: Jacqueline Rogers(785) 233-1750, Ext. 358

EMAIL ADDRESS:Jacquer@ywcatopeka.org

The campers are introduced to successful women working in all phases of construction and

encouraged to network, ask questions and learn as much as they can about various non-

traditional career opportunities in the construction industry. They are encouraged to learn

more about NAWIC, specifically, the Topeka Chapter #142. Listed below is a summary of the

weekly activities of the MAGIC Summer Camp being offered June 18 – 22, 2012 at Foley Equipment, Inc. Training Center, 1737 S.W. 42nd Street, Topeka, KS. The camp will be offered Monday – Friday from 9:00a.m. – 3:00p.m. Parents and girls may register online

for the camp at www.ywcatopeka. Space is available for 24 girls.

At the conclusion of the week, campers will take home a lamp, toolbox, and other projects

they make. They will also participate in a field trip to an active construction site to see how

the skills they are studying are implemented in the field. Educational displays from Kansas

technical schools and universities with construction, architectural and engineering programs

and technical will be available.

“This program is unique because it brings together tradeswomen and leaders of the Topeka

Chapter #142 of the NAWIC (the National Association of Women in Construction), and the

ywca Topeka, Career Assistance Network as hosts and partners, with sponsorship of local

construction businesses and industry associations such as the American Society of Civil

Engineers (ASCE), Associated General Contractors of Kansas (AGC)-KC3, Topeka

Carpenter’s Union Local #1445, Foley Equipment Inc,. Kansas Contractors’ Association

(KCA), KBS Constructors, Inc., KOSS Construction, My Company, Inc., Kansas Department

of Transportation, Topeka Joint Electrical Apprenticeship Program (IBEW), and Westar

Energy with one goal…to introduce high school girls to the rewarding opportunities available

to them in the construction industry,” said Sue Schilling, Vice-President, Topeka Chapter

#142 of NAWIC and Safety Director with KBS Constructors, Inc.

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Monday – Safety and History of NAWIC and Women in Construction The Summer Camp rules, activities and forms will be covered, including an

icebreaker to allow the girls to get to know one another. Campers will meet key camp partners who will serve as facilitators and

volunteers to complete the weekly activities. A presentation about NAWIC will be given by the NAWIC President, Pam

Tremblay, Kansas Sand and Concrete. Rewarding careers in construction will be discussed.

Sue Schilling, NAWIC Vice-President, KBS Constructors and Rebecca Harmon, Loss Prevention and Compliance Officer, KOSS Construction will team-teach and lead a safety seminar. Safety activities will include basic OSHA safety guidelines, hands-on training on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety rules for the week. Campers will participate in a safety “Get Your Gear On” competition.

Tuesday – Construction and Transportation The campers will learn about the transportation industry and steps involved in

designing a project. They will use cost estimates and materials to build a bridge with instruction from KDOT civil engineers as members of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

The girls will learn about free job training for women and careers in highway construction and the transportation industry from representatives of the YWCA Highway Construction and Life Skills Management training program, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Kansas Contractors’ Association.

The campers will identify heavy equipment and view a video “Safely Home” on the safe use of heavy equipment.

Wednesday – Carpentry and Introduction to Hand Tools and Power Tools The campers will assemble and decorate a wooden toolbox they will use

throughout the week. They will participate in a power tool demonstration learning basic skills using

hand tools and power tools. Campers will learn the basics of carpentry from a certified carpenter from the Topeka Carpenter’s Union – Local 1445 and local women-owned building contractors.

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*MAGIC Construction Summer Camp *Mentoring a Girl in Construction

They will participate in a “hand tools and power tools identification competition” hosted by a certified industry Trainer with Foley Equipment, Inc.

Thursday – Electrical and Wind Technology Campers will learn the basics of electricity from Westar Energy and the IBEW

(International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Topeka Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Program instructors.

They will learn basic wiring by installing a switch, light and receptacle project. They will also assemble and decorate a lamp to take home.

Friday – Field Trip and Completion Ceremony Morning activities will include a field trip to an actual construction job site or

completed construction project (Ex. Habitat for Humanity). The Camp will conclude with a luncheon that will include invited guests,

parents and school administrators. A special power point presentation featuring the girls at work will be presented. The girls will receive Certificates of Completion.

Educational displays from Kansas technical schools and universities with construction, architectural and engineering programs and technical will be available.

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