MAGIC Camp reveals opportunities for young women

There’s MAGIC in the air this week in Topeka, as the Mentoring a Girl in Construction returns to the capital city.

Participants in this year's MAGIC Camp.

Doria Watson, Civil Rights Administrator for KDOT said that at least 20 girls are participating in the free and educational event this week.

MAGIC Camp students work on a
construction project.

“The ultimate goal for MAGIC Camp is to expose young girls to transportation and construction related careers and opportunities,” Watson said. “It also helps them look outside of traditional careers, or careers they have been exposed to — as well as to introduce them to successful females working in the transportation field.”

Campers will have opportunities to do quite a few hands-on projects. “At the start of the week they attended a session on safety and tools and constructed a key holder,” Watson said. “They will work on a Habitat for Humanity project, experience some cement mixing and masonry work and if the weather cooperates, the girls will get to participate in an “equipment rodeo” where they actually experience operating construction equipment.”

Watson said that each day the girls will experience a different mode of transportation and the careers associated with it — from entry level positions all the way up to executive management.

“The experiences will be beneficial no matter what career is chosen,” Watson said. “The goal is not only for them to consider the transportation opportunities but to understand the importance of transportation in their lives, the importance of safety in transportation and to increase appreciation for workers who give daily in this service industry.”

While attending MAGIC Camp the girls get a chance to visit transportation related businesses.

The camp runs until this Friday.