MAGIC Camp took place on the Orchard Ridge campus of Oakland Community College in Farmington Hills, MI, July 14–18. MAGIC stands for Mentor A Girl In Construction, a free program for the 15 high school girls who met at the camp. The take-home, hands-on projects (building a birdhouse, wiring a lamp and erecting a water fall) were taught by female craft workers who provided knowledge and practice in the areas of carpentry, electricity, plumbing, drywall, and masonry. Safety training sessions were scheduled each morning and hard hats, safety goggles, gloves, and other protective equipment were mandatory. A favorite with the young ladies was the crane simulator provided by the International Union of Operating Engineers Training Center. For many of these young ladies, building projects and using tools for the first time gave them a sense of independence and empowerment.
MAGIC Camp is a program of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). It was sponsored by Detroit Chapter 183 and Lansing Chapter 177 and was attended by Kathi Dobson, Carol Varga and Melanie Myers. The event was hosted by Oakland Community College's Womencenter and Construction Management Program directed by Arlene Frank.
The success of MAGIC Camp was aided by donations received from the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Michigan; ASCO; Douglas Steel Fabricating; George McIntosh, Inc; and Michigan BAC Labor/Management Fund. Tomboy Tool Kits presented to each participant finishing MAGIC Camp were provided by Clark Construction Co.
