WCC hosts girls construction camp

WILKESBORO — Wilkes Community College recently hosted a week-long Construction Girls Camp tailored for girls in grades 9-12. The primary goal of the camp was to equip the participants with construction skills and to provide insight into potential careers in architecture and building construction. The event featured guest speakers from the construction industry, all of whom were women.

A total of eight girls from Caldwell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties, along with Grayson County, Virginia, took part in the week-long camp. The girls gained practical, hands-on experience in learning construction skills and exploring careers in architecture and building construction. Throughout the week, female professionals from the construction industry visited the camp to share their experiences and career journeys.

The participants shared the following quotes: "It's fun. I like trying something new. I'm going to take a construction class in high school. I like building stuff and making friends. I started out thinking I couldn't use power tools but learned how."

Stacie Taylor, Chair of Applied Career Technologies stated, “I am thrilled that we can offer this construction camp for girls, and I hope it ignites a passion for girls to consider this as a rewarding career.”

The highlight of the week was the construction of a She-Shed. On the first day, the participants designed their plans using Revit/BIM Design software and then proceeded to frame out their buildings, handle electrical work, and install doors, windows, and exterior siding. At the end of the week, a drawing was held, and the lucky winners, Ella Bixby and Prayer Sanders took home a She-Shed.

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dayshia Cowles for serving as one of our instructors, as well as to our guest speakers, McKenzi Wilson and Anne-Marie Zenger from Vannoy Construction, Tiwana Phipps from Samaritans Purse, and Cricket Lamber of KC Custom Builders for sharing their inspiring stories with the camp participants. A special thank you also goes to Evan Edmiston from MBI Builders for providing the camp participants with a tour of the new gym being built at Wilkes Central High School.

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC continues to build on a strong history of meeting the educational needs and cultural interests of our students, community, and workforce. WCC prepares learners for success in a dynamic world.