Local Philadelphia-area girls entering grades 7-12 will attend a free construction camp this summer to provide real-world experience, mentorship, and education about the opportunities that exist in the construction industry, regardless of gender. The camp is called MyWIC, which stands for Mentoring Young Women In Construction, and will take place in Philadelphia between Thursday, July 6 through Friday, Aug. 11. 

MyWIC is run by the NAWIC Philadelphia Foundation, which partnered with companies like NEST, a leading national facilities management company, and Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Southern Jersey to make it a reality. The camp strives to create a sustainable labor pool in the construction industry while exposing young women to careers that they may not have previously considered. The Philadelphia Youth Network Work Ready also provides funding to cover a portion of the cost.

"MyWIC is developing America's next generation of female leaders by teaching them about the construction and skilled trades industry," said Mary Gaffney, NAWIC Philadelphia Foundation president. "Females make up only about 10% of the construction industry, and there are incredible opportunities to build a career in the skilled trades. By the end of the camp, we see a tangible increase in the girls' self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall self-image."

"The construction industry and the skilled trades offer so many opportunities for future careers that are in high demand, not only in Philadelphia but across the country," said Rob Almond, CEO of NEST, which is based in South Jersey. "The MyWIC camp is a summer-long tradition that shows the girls the incredible career opportunities in our industries. The girls learn that construction is so much more than swinging a hammer."

The construction camp will take place at several trade locations throughout the Philadelphia area during July and August. Each day, the girls will learn about a specialty within the trades, including carpentry, sheet metal, safety training, electricians, finishing trades, steamfitters, plumbers, and retail construction. Dates of the construction camp include July 6, 7, 11, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 27, and Aug. 1, 2, 3, 8, 10.

The attendees of the camp are coordinated by Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern Jersey.