Camp Empowers Young Women to Hammer Out a Future in the Trades

As LBCC wraps up its third summer, plans are already underway for 2025

In a world where hard hats and power tools are often associated with men, one summer camp in Ohio is leveling the playing field. The Let's Build Construction Camp (LBCC) is on a mission to inspire girls to consider careers in the skilled trades, and they're getting some powerful support along the way.

Founded by Shelly Higgins, Architectural & National Accounts Director at S-5!, the camp provides a free, five-day immersion in the world of construction for girls ages 12-17. With the help of sponsors like S-5!, LBCC is giving the next generation of trade professionals the tools they need to build a bright future.

"This camp is about more than just teaching girls how to hammer a nail," Higgins explained. "Our mission is to encourage young women to consider careers in architecture, engineering, manufacturing or construction trades through education, hands-on experiences, interactive discussions, mentoring and field trips."

S-5! is proud to be a premier sponsor of the camp. Their contribution helps cover essential costs like insurance, materials, and meals, ensuring that every girl can attend at no charge. The company also donated its PVKIT solar mounting system for a hands-on rooftop installation workshop.

"We are delighted to support this camp, especially led by one of our own, to provide valuable educational experiences for young women and to encourage them to consider the trades as a viable and rewarding career path," Haddock said.

For campers like Kayla Kushner, a high school freshman from Springfield, the experience has been eye-opening. "My favorite part was learning all about construction, meeting other people and working as a team on projects," Kushner said. "I was most surprised about how easy framing was—once you measure and cut everything—it was easy to put it all together. It's provided me with skills for later in life. I am thinking about how I can continue learning construction skills through my high school's program."

Olivia Vonderau, a seventh grader from Youngstown, agrees. She discovered the camp through her math teacher and said, "I really liked nailing the shingles on the roof; it was like a puzzle, taking measurements, placing them in the right order, and nailing them down."

The camp's emphasis on mentorship and support is key to its success. "Building takes a lot of physical work, but at the end of the day you are left with an end-product, so it is worth it," Clowser said. "The volunteers are knowledgeable, and it's easy to ask for help."

As LBCC wraps up its third summer, plans are already underway for 2025. Higgins invites other industry professionals to get involved by volunteering or sponsoring. With the support of companies like S-5!, there's no limit to what these girls can build.