Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs^® (NBT) summer manufacturing camps are typically attended by boys, with a handful of girl campers in each one. However, this year 12 of the 84 camps hosted all-female attendees and were a complete success. Camp directors across the U.S. witnessed young ladies tackling hands-on design projects made in real ‘shop’ facilities. Summer camps such as ‘Silly Boys, Manufacturing is for Girls’, ‘Camp Glitter’, and ‘GADgET’ (Girls Adventuring in Design, Engineering and Technology) were just a few that appealed to many girls.

Here are a few of the camps and what happened at each:

Tech Girls | Lakeshore Tech College, Cleveland, Wis.

“The hands-on learning was great. They used RADAN (CAM/CAD software used to cut sheet metal) and made phone holders with our laser cutter. We generated excitement in the NTO – Non-Traditional Occupations sector.

It’s important to get young students excited to be a part of manufacturing. One-on-one activities showed them they can do these kinds of tasks. Our hope is students will keep this camp and industry in mind when they get to high school and start choosing related courses. The tour guides told our students that education doesn’t have to be costly – there are many options to help pay for school and learn on the job including educational reimbursement, Early College, apprenticeships, etc.

Our local manufacturing community needs skilled workers and they see this age group as a great place to start students thinking about careers.”

–Michele Herzog, Camp Administrator

Make it Real: Imagine, Design, Manufacture | Northcentral Technical College, Wausau, Wis.

“Students learned critical thinking, teamwork, design, and manufacturing skills — providing them hands-on activities in the areas of welding, engineering, and machine tool. We chose to offer this to girls–instructors were also female. Students were able to see real world applications at a local employer that highlighted welding and mechanical design careers.

There are now 12 middle school girls who have learned what a career in welding, machine tool, and mechanical design entails. The students learned they were able to create and design their unique projects, which gave them ownership. Students were excited to watch their creation “come to life” through the manufacturing process. The students went home with a tangible product, the bird feeders are now installed in their yards as constant reminders about their experience.”

–Linda Willis, Camp Administrator

Ridgewood GADgET | Ridgewood High School, Norridge, Ill.

“We introduced the girls to the world of manufacturing through hands-on projects made in real ‘shop’ facilities. Students designed, 3D modeled, and 3D printed pendants and keychains and created marketing materials to sell their goods. They also designed and built mousetrap cars and catapults. I believe more girls will choose a career in the manufacturing industry.”

–Eric Lasky, Camp Director

Women’s Solar Power Summer Camp | Lake-Sumter College, Leesburg, Fla.

“Campers learned soldering and assembly methods for hands-on projects and the ability to step out of their comfort zones and build new relationships. Students learned the foundational skills used in solar power engineering in a fun and exciting way through hands-on projects.”

–Robert Seigworth, Camp Director

The Art & Science of Metalwork: Welding Camp for Girls | Weber State University, Ogden, Utah

“Students welded, used CNC plasma cutters, water jet cutters, grinder, tools, metal finishing techniques, etc. to create interesting and useful items. We taught students to project design with CAD and create custom 3D art scenes.

We realize that if we do these types of camps for mixed groups we get very few girls participating. When we offer them for girls only we fill the camps to capacity. Girls are interested, but most do not want to try it out in front of guys.

Being able to encourage and show girls they can be an integral part of the local economy is valuable.”

–John Rasband, Camp Director

Girls in the Shop | Fox Valley Technical College, Oshkosh, Wis.

“This camp opens doors for young women to explore the options available to them not only in school but for making decisions about their continuing education and career. Students worked with almost every manufacturing process available in the Welding & Fabrication program.

I think it’s great to give these girls a chance to feel like they belong in a welding shop and they fit in here.”

–Jessie Lloyd, Camp Instructor

GADgET | Triton College, River Grove, Ill.

Antigone Sharris, Coordinator & Instructor of Triton’s Engineering Technology Program, has been hosting all-girls summer manufacturing camps for the past eight years. She has the camp curriculum working seamlessly and at 100 percent local sponsor support. See the documentary featuring Triton’s GADgET camps.

See the complete list of 2018 summer manufacturing camps.

Get a 2019 camp started in your area. Share this information with a school that you know has a program in metal fabrication, welding, manufacturing engineering technology, shop facilities, or a comparable curriculum. Applications are due by Dec. 1, 2018.