Female high school students who love being outdoors can take part in a unique, one-day, hands-on introduction to electric line work. The Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives is hosting its Girl Power Camp, giving participants the chance to explore the skills, tools, and teamwork involved in the electric utility industry.
The camp is free and will be held at Choptank Electric Cooperative's Regional Service Center on Thursday, Nov. 5. Last year’s Eastern Shore Girl Power Camp showed 53 total students the critical role women play in shaping the future of energy.
From climbing utility poles to using power tools, attendees will have the chance to step into the shoes of energy professionals for the day. Participants will rotate through hands-on stations that featured power drills, pole climbing, drone demonstrations and fiber splicing. In addition, workshops on interview skills and career planning offered practical tools for life after graduation.
Connecting more women with the energy industry has been an industry-wide goal over the past few years. One particular area of focus is centered around line work. While the industry continues to see more women take on roles in the field, attracting them to the responsibilities and teamwork of a line crew remains a challenge. These types of operation roles can often lead to a variety of leadership opportunities within an organization.
By engaging directly with students and offering hands-on experiences, A&N Electric Cooperative and its sister co-ops hope to build a strong pipeline of future energy leaders.
The Girl Power Camp is part of the cooperative’s mission to invest in education and community outreach. Those interested in attending can register at vmdaec.com/girl-power-camp. Registration deadline for the Salisbury camp is Thursday, Oct. 29.
Questions about the camp should be directed to powercamp@vmdaec.com.