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A brand new March Break day camp is hoping early exposure to working with one’s hands will foster future interest in the skilled trades.
On Friday, wooden toolboxes, birdhouses and small tables were scattered across a work station at the former Ottawa Technical High School in the city’s downtown core.
These are the trophies the children, ages 12 to 14, took home after participating in the five-day camp.
Ana Patenaude, the YMCA’s director of community youth programming, says Canada is facing a trade shortage.
“It is estimated that by 2028 we would need about 700,000 skilled workers,” she said.
“We have also noticed at the YMCA that in this region there is a lack of programming for youth, specifically between ages of 12 to 14 and 15.”
‘It was really, really fun’
Patenaude said the YMCA of the National Capital Region decided to tackle both issues simultaneously, adding that skilled trades offer a viable career choice for youths.
Ana Patenaude is the director of community youth programming for the YMCA of the National Capital Region. She says skilled trades offer a viable career choice for youths. (Taken by Rebecca Russell)
She said the Future Builders: Skilled Trades March Break Camp also sought to teach transferable skills and provide a space for creativity.
“Between ages 12 to 14, they want to be treated like grown-ups,” she said. “And [we’re] giving them, in a safe way, an opportunity to explore trades, to build something, and also to come out from this program with something tangible they can bring home.”
On the first day of the camp, the children were taught basic safety measures.
Patenaude said they were also introduced to basic carpentry skills, told about apprenticeships and taught how to use the tools.
Thirteen-year-old Maiia Zakibana, Patenaude’s niece, said building a table was a standout for her.
A birdhouse and toolbox made by the youths in the day camp. (Taken by: Rebecca Russell )
“It’s crazy. I was really surprised that I can do all those things,” she said. “And I really enjoyed it.”
The children also built small bridges out of popsicle sticks, learning basic design principles.
“We got to test it. Our bridge held 19 drills and six hammers,” Zakibana said. “It was really, really fun.”