Registration open for Rosie’s Girls summer trades camp

The Cincinnati ToolBank has opened registration for Rosie’s Girls, a summer camp designed to introduce teenage girls to skilled trades, engineering and other career pathways through hands-on learning experiences.

The three-week camp, scheduled for June 15 through July 10, will serve girls ages 13 to 16 and provide participants with opportunities to explore a variety of trades and industries. There will be no classes during the week of July 4.

Campers will explore carpentry, welding, electrical work, plumbing, painting, engineering and more alongside skilled professionals and mentors in a supportive environment. No prior experience is required.

The camp takes place at the Cincinnati ToolBank, 1682 Seymour Ave. in Bond Hill.

“At Rosie’s Girls, young people have the opportunity to try new things, build real skills, and discover confidence they didn’t know they had,” Kat Pepmeyer, executive director of the Cincinnati ToolBank, said in a statement. 

Investing in girls and industry

Vermont Works for Women, a Vermont-based nonprofit, created Rosie’s Girls to help young people build confidence, resilience and leadership skills while exploring careers where women remain underrepresented.

The Cincinnati ToolBank operates the program locally. The nonprofit supplies tools and equipment to charitable organizations, schools and community groups for volunteer projects throughout the region.

Beyond technical training, camp participants will take part in social and emotional learning activities focused on communication, teamwork and leadership development. Other career areas featured in the program include concrete work, drywall, tile installation, real estate, and door and window installation.

Rosie’s Girls welcomes anyone who identifies as a girl, regardless of sex assigned at birth. The program also is open to nonbinary and gender-expansive youth who are comfortable participating in a girl-centered environment.

Registration is available online.

“We’re excited to bring this powerful program to Cincinnati and help inspire the next generation of builders, problem-solvers, and leaders,” Pepmeyer said.