Held at St. Peter Catholic Secondary School, the July 8 to 12 program targeted Indigenous students aged 12 to 17 from across the Kawarthas.

What began as a two-week pilot camp in 2014 has evolved into one of the foundation’s flagship offerings, serving as a blueprint for programs to follow. More than 250 camps have helped change the perception of welding and welding-related skilled trades careers.

Hands-on learning at the camps builds confidence and self-esteem and gives many participants a reason to continue developing a welding career in secondary, post-secondary and apprenticeship opportunities. Welding captures their attention and gives them a focus for their future.

“The kids were super excited to get in here and do some welding,” said manufacturing teacher Sydney Clarke-Anastasopoulos, who is also a welding engineer and metallurgist.

In addition to learning how to use a wide variety of tools — from hand files and measuring tapes to angle grinders and arc welders — students have a chance to get a “leg up” on the provincially mandated skills trades course requirements.

“CWP and OPG have done a great job in offering such opportunities to students, particularly Indigenous youth,” said Clarke-Anastasopoulos. “Most students don’t get the opportunity for this kind of training until they get to Grade 10 … So they’re getting a step ahead of their peers. It’s also getting them thinking early on about manufacturing careers.”

Clarke-Anastasopoulos added some of the youth have expressed an interest in not only pursuing a skilled trades career and are even looking to purchase their own equipment.

Taylor Antoniak, 15, is one of those students.

“I’ve kind of always been interested in it,” said the I.E. Weldon Secondary School student. “I have family members who have done welding and it’s been neat to watch them work. Now I can do it too.”

Antoniak is enrolled in the specialist high school major program and looks forward to learning more about construction and manufacturing, particularly when it comes to a career.

“I really like to work with my hands. I like having control over what I’m creating … It’s a cool thing to know,” she continued.

Jacob Henry-Caron, 13, agrees. He looks forward to taking what he has learned at camp to the next level via the programming offered at St. Peter.

“I thought it would be a good learning experience and I really wanted to learn how to weld,” said Henry-Caron, who also attended last year’s canoe building camp. “I like to put things together and take things apart. This (welding camp) gave me a better idea of what it’s all about; whether it’s something I’d like to do (career-wise).”

After learning the basics, the participants had the opportunity to show off the fruits of their labours — personalized dog tags and a welded metal log sculpture — via a Friday afternoon showcase.

For more information on the camp visit cwbweldingfoundation.org.