Oregon Tradeswomen and NAWIC Host Workshops for Girl Scouts!

On June 2, 2018, Oregon Tradeswomen was delighted to partner with the Portland National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) chapter to host a troupe of Girl Scouts in our classroom!

The Girl Scouts were invited to participate in two workshops focused on construction and building projects led by tradeswomen. In the morning, 9 Junior Girl Scouts took part in a gardening workshop and built planter boxes to be used as containers for their very own zen gardens they designed themselves. A group of 3 Senior Girl Scouts collaborated in a “Room Makeover” workshop in the afternoon. All the Girl Scouts had the opportunity to gain experience using hand and power tools as well as measuring, cutting, and assembling the pieces.

The goal of these workshops was to expose young women to the construction trades by having them learn how to use construction equipment, empowering them to use their hands to build functional items, and giving them the chance to talk to and learn from women who work in the building trades. Many women, old and young, have the impression that there is no place for them in construction. Oregon Tradeswomen actively works to change those perceptions and show women and girls that these opportunities are indeed open to them and that building is fun, rewarding, and that they can be successful!

The Girl Scouts had such a great time during these workshops that the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Washington are looking in to putting these workshops into the Girl Scout Program Guide for Fall/Winter 2018/19!