The Rosendin Foundation (TRF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, recently launched five free construction camps for middle school students nationwide. TRF Camp Build is a unique summer program designed to ignite a passion for building and craftsmanship among middle school students. Collaborating with partners across the industry, The Rosendin Foundation aimed to build and empower youth while addressing the shortage of construction workers by providing hands-on experience and fresh perspectives on career opportunities.
This co-ed summer program catered to 6th to 8th graders interested in learning to design and build projects using power tools. Participants gained practical building experience, witnessed heavy equipment operation, engaged in roofing and framing activities, and learned essential skills, such as personal safety, concrete/rebar work, soldering, pipe bending, Building Information Modeling (BIM), wire stripping, heavy equipment operation, framing/woodworking, roofing, and painting. They also received training in virtual reality using VR headsets, and camp leaders challenged them to build and estimate a project — a toy racecar — in the real world.
The TRF Camp Build program took place in Sherman, Texas; Gallatin, Tenn.; Anaheim, Calif.; Tempe, Ariz.; and Austin, Texas. Skilled professionals from different industries mentored the students throughout the program providing insights into exciting career opportunities. The camp concluded with the construction of doghouses, which The Rosendin Foundation donated to local animal shelter nonprofits. Collaborative efforts with trade groups, suppliers, and contractors resulted in the camp’s success, which emphasized the importance of working together to build a more robust workforce in the future. Inspired by Rosendin's participation in the national Camp NAWIC, TRF Camp Build is set to expand to more cities in 2024, including Charlotte, N.C., Las Vegas, Nev., and Prineville, Ore.
To learn more about the program, please visit https://www.therosendinfoundation.org/camp-build/.
