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2025 Summer Camp Recap

by Jillian Scannell

Campers play a game about taking positive risk at Rosie's Girls camp

 

By: Ada Case and Sarah Raimondi, VWW Youth Program Coordinators

That’s a wrap on Vermont Works for Women’s (VWW) Rosie’s Girls 2025! This summer we reached 56+ campers across the state.  

During each Rosie’s Girls program, participants enjoyed a packed, weeklong schedule full of meeting new friends, gaining empowering skills, and creating unique projects. Campers spent time engaging in fun games and our social-emotional learning Power Skills curriculum along with learning technical skills in each of their specialized programs. Each camp culminated in a gallery walk for friends and family to admire all the projects campers created.   

In collaboration with partners, VWW ran Rosie’s Girls camps in five communities this summer, all for free or at very low cost to families:  Barre, Brattleboro, Essex Junction, South Burlington and St. Johnsbury. 

Thank you to our partners, HatchSpace, Umbrella NEK, and Burlington Technical Center, for helping us bring Rosie’s Girls to youth around the state. 

A camper practices riveting at Rosie's Girls AviationCampers pose on a plane at Rosie's Girls Aviation

 

 

Rosie’s Girls Aviation

For the second year, campers let their possibilities soar at Rosie’s Girls Aviation!

In partnership with Burlington Technical Center, VWW hosted a three-day camp where participants got an up-close look at different aircraft, met industry leaders, and gained hands-on experience with basic tools and processes of airplane mechanics like air drills, drill bits, riveting, and safety wiring.

We visited our friends at Heritage Aviation and BETA Technologies, then ended the week with campers taking flights with Vermont Flight Academy. 

When asked about the impact of Rosie’s Girls, one camper shared, “It helped me step out of my comfort zone and learn to not be afraid,” and another said, “It helped me learn that I want to work on electric airplanes”.  We’re so proud of these campers for using tools they’ve never used before and expanding their sense of what is possible.  

Student uses a plasma cutter at Rosie's Girls Weld as sparks flyStudent file down metal at Rosie's Girls Weld camp

Rosie’s Girls WELD

At Rosie’s Girls WELD, participants were eager to step into the workshop and learn the basics of plasma cutting and MIG welding. 

Each camper started the week by creating a flower out of metal to learn the basics of each tool. Once sparks began to fly in the booths, imagination ran wild as campers moved onto designing custom projects. By the end of the week, the shop was full of incredible creations, including a dragon-themed windchime, palm trees, a sailboat, miniature chairs, and lanterns. 

WCAX stopped by camp to see sparks flying!

Camper uses power drill at Rosie's Girls campCamper uses a jigsaw to cut wood at Rosie's Girls camp

Rosie’s Girls BUILD

We wrapped up our summer camp season with a week of carpentry at Rosie’s Girls BUILD! First, each camper built their very own toolbox. This project served as an introduction to each of the tools they would use throughout the rest of the week: hammers, drills, orbital sanders, jigsaws, and miter saws. 

Once everyone was comfortable using power tools, the campers split into small groups to tackle a more challenging project. They built three Leopold benches which will be gifted to Audubon Vermont for birdwatchers and nature-lovers to enjoy. 

For the second half of the week, campers were free to design and construct individual projects.  With guidance and support from instructors and CITs, they were able to bring all kinds of creative ideas to life: beach chairs, bookshelves, false book boxes, wooden dolls, planter pots, a cat house, and more! 

Camper Feedback

By the numbers:

  • 97% of participants reported an increase in confidence because of Rosie’s Girls. 
  • 100% of participants reported an increase in peer connection because of Rosie’s Girls. 
  • 98% of participants reported an increased sense of expanded possibilities because of Rosie’s Girls. 

In their words:

  • “[Rosie’s Girls] has helped me see that I can step out of my comfort zone and do difficult things.” 
  • “[Rosie’s Girls] has taught me I am capable of doing more than I thought I could do.” 
  • “I felt nervous about meeting new people and trying new things. Rosie’s Girls helped me overcome that fear.” 
  • “I feel more empowered and like I can do anything I set my mind to, even if some people think it is generally only for boys/men.”
  • “I can build whatever I set my mind to and have more confidence.” 

 

Many thanks to our partners, instructors, and supporters for making this summer so impactful for our Rosie’s Girls campers! 

Rosie’s Girls Camp supporters include: Aerie Real Foundation, Lucy Downing Nisbet Charitable Fund, The George W. Mergens Foundation, National Life Foundation, Rivendell Foundation, The Rona Jaffe Foundation, The Salmon Foundation, Town of Essex, Vermont Agency of Education, and others.  

 

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