Welcome
The Central California Coast Chapter's second MAGIC Camp was a great success. We made a big change this year and instead of individual projects using various trades, the girls worked together in teams to build an 8'x 10' playhouse. We conducted the camp as if it were an actual jobsite. There were Project Managers, Superintendents, Tailgate Safety meetings and scheduling tasks. Students divided into four teams and gave themselves a team company name. Along with the Superintendent assigned to lead the team, each framed one of the four walls. The week included installation of electrical wiring, fixtures and outlets, windows, a door with hardware and interior and exterior siding. Framing, installing the skylight and installing shingles completed the roof. The playhouse was finished with linoleum flooring and a MAGIC sign that was built during the wood shop/safety class.
The Operating Engineers Training Trust brought their Crane Simulator from Whittier to give everyone the opportunity to experience what it's like to operate a crane. Of course, there were many adults that participated after the girls were finished. We can attest it is not an easy job! Two employees from Granite Construction drove down from their Fresno office to conduct a team building project that had the girls intently building a project in a very competitive mode. There was a really great presentation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the computer lab with the opportunity to design one's own project at each computer. During the wood shop class, each student worked on individual pieces of a 'puzzle' that when put together surprised them by spelling MAGIC. Of course we had our photographer/videographer on hand each day to document the entire week.
Once again the Cal Poly Construction Management Department outdid themselves with the facilities, instructors and schedule coordination. We were able to build the playhouse in the newly completed Simpson Strong Tie Building which was built specifically with this type of activity in mind. The California Center for Construction Education outdid themselves helping with coordination, parking passes and the scrumptious BBQ lunch they sponsored for the Graduation Ceremony on Friday. We are truly indebted to both Cal Poly and the CCCE for their huge part in making this camp a possibility. The opportunity to work for a week in the university environment was a great experience for the girls.
Families were invited to join in Friday afternoon for the BBQ lunch and Graduation Ceremony. The girls completed a ribbon-cutting ceremony, instructors and coordinators were introduced and each of our wonderful sponsors was recognized. The entire camp project costs were covered by cash donations and gifts-in-kind from industry champions from throughout the state. We are fortunate that there are so many individuals and companies who believe in the opportunities this camp offers to young ladies and to help add diversity to the industry. With their help we are able to provide this comprehensive, weeklong camp free of charge to our students. We will always be grateful for their help to make MAGIC happen.
There are too many who participated to thank individually here, but I would like to recognize the MAGIC Camp Committee. Wendi Patterson provided great PR which helped not only with sponsorships but student recruitment. At the camp each day with me were Joan Hertel CIT, Lori Kruger (Student Registrar), Karin Cornell and Joni Anderson (Project Managers). What a fantastic team we were together. I am so proud of the job we have done and all of us are looking forward to next year. We appreciate the support our individual Chapter members and their companies have provided in a variety of ways. It takes a whole chapter to produce such a wonderful project. Thank you!
Denise Riegel, CIT
MAGIC Camp Chair