Steel Toe Teens summer camp was born from an ongoing effort to share skills with young women/girls who have a non-traditional interest in non-traditonal skills. Washington Women in Trades members were also inspired by the excitement shown at the annual Trades Fair where middle & high schools students get a little taste of many career options--everything from pipe trades to electricity, ironworking to masonry.  Why not expand it into a summer camp?  And so, with the help of Shoreline Community College, generous sponsors, some loyal volunteers and some hot shot instructors, Steel Toe Teens breathed it’s first giant breath in 2023.!

 

In 2024 we hosted nearly 26 kids, ages 11-14. Our staff consists of approximately 30 journey level tradeswomen and volunteers. Each camper learns the basics of the trades  and creates a take home item. Projects include an electric car, a sprinkler, an epoxy trivet, a mosaic globe and a steel rose. We’ll also, as a group project, prepped, painted and placed a buddy bench for the Child Care Center on the Shoreline Campus. On the last day of camp, we featured a Rosie the Riveter  session as well as a meet and greet celebration with cake and and other treats!