Camps for girls: Building on a proven blueprint

By Christee Roberson, Graham Roofing.

By launching and partnering with girls’ trades camps, NWIR is helping dismantle industry barriers and guide young women toward fulfilling careers.

A couple of months ago, you were introduced to the three new national programs for NWIR (Roofing in SkillsUSA, Girls' Camps and Dress for Success.) We are looking at them one by one to get a better understanding of how we can get involved and push the needle for recruiting in the roofing industry. This month, our focus is on Girls' Construction-Trade related camps.

My friend and NWIR member, Shelly Higgins held a camp for girls in Ohio around four years ago that got my attention and had me dreaming of a girls' camp similar in Mississippi. My company and I are fortunate to be founding members of a workforce development foundation, Forge, that allowed this dream to come true in 2024 when we hosted our first girls' camp. We just finished our second successful camp in June of this year. The success of FORGE’s 2025 Girls Construction Camp and numerous similar camps throughout the U.S. highlights an emerging blueprint for National Women in Roofing to either start its own girls’ trades camp or partner with existing groups to champion female talent in construction. This immersive, skill-building model confirms what NWIR stands for — and presents a unique opportunity for action.

Alignment with NWIR's four pillars

1. Networking: These camps foster collaboration between campers, mentors and trade professionals. NWIR could replicate this by hosting similar camps under its banner or partnering with existing groups hosting camps. This would unite aspiring tradeswomen with NWIR’s extensive national network. 
2. Education: With curriculum covering real-world construction trades and community service projects (like pantry boxes, beds…), the camp maps directly to NWIR’s education pillar. NWIR could enhance offerings with roofing-specific modules and certification tracks. 
3. Mentoring: Camps could use both industry mentors and student-returners as peer mentors. NWIR could deploy its local council leaders and seasoned members to guide, support and inspire young participants. 
4. Industry: Recruitment Introducing girls early to the trades directly supports NWIR’s recruitment goal. These hands-on exposures lead campers to apply skills at home — and potentially envision future careers. Statistics show that only about 3-10% of tradespeople are women. A targeted summer camp can shift that narrative. 

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What our path looks like

In the upcoming months, the NWIR Workforce Development Committee (formerly Industry Recruitment) will be defining ways and developing toolkits for NWIR Councils and members to get involved with summer girls’ camps based on the two paths below.

Start our own NWIR Girls' Camp (preferably if there is no existing camp in your area)  Partner with established programs- examples:

• Forge Girls 
• Camp 
• Build Her
• Let’s Build
• ABC Camps
• Tools & Tiaras
• NAWIC 

Strategic impact and benefits for NWIR 

• Early influence: Engaging girls at age 12–15 establishes interest and skill early, growing future roofing professionals.
• DEI in action: A camp is a tangible embodiment of NWIR’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion values.
• Brand visibility: Position NWIR as a proactive leader in developing trades talent which supports community and corporate reputation.
• Member engagement: Local councils can rally around camp events by driving involvement in NWIR’s committees (networking, mentoring, education, recruitment). 
• Brand leadership: Position NWIR as an innovator and advocate for diversity in skilled trades.
• Community impact: Strengthening ties with schools, civic groups and trade organizations. 

By launching, or partnering, on a girls’ trades camp, NWIR can help dismantle industry barriers, guide young women toward fulfilling careers and build a legacy of diversity and opportunity. 

Original image source: Scripps Media, Inc.