Camp NAWIC Inspires the Next Generation of Women in Construction
CWC team members Mimi Aherne, Gianna Samperi, Jessie Lee, and Caitlin Shirvinski guided campers through a hands-on challenge that introduced girls to estimating, budgeting, teamwork, and the collaborative process behind every successful construction project.
CWC celebrates five years of inspiring girls to explore careers in construction through hands-on learning
The future of construction starts by inspiring the next generation. At Camp NAWIC, girls experienced firsthand how teamwork, planning, communication, and problem-solving come together on every successful construction project. This year, Coakley & Williams Construction challenged campers to put those skills into practice through a fun, hands-on building exercise.
Working in teams, campers estimated materials, managed a budget, and built freestanding radio towers using spaghetti, marshmallows, and tape. Along the way, they adapted to changing conditions, collaborated with teammates, and discovered that successful construction projects rely on much more than building—they require creativity, communication, and problem-solving.
Learning Construction Through Hands-On Experience
Each team received a limited budget and selected materials before construction began. As the challenge progressed, campers adjusted their plans, accounted for changing conditions, and made real-time decisions, giving them a firsthand look at the planning and flexibility required on every construction project.
The activity introduced key construction concepts such as estimating, budgeting, scheduling, and resource management in a fun and engaging way.
Building More Than Towers
While every tower looked different, one lesson remained the same: successful projects are built through collaboration.
"One of the best parts of the day was watching the campers work together. They weren't just building a tower—they were learning how to communicate, solve problems, and adapt when things didn't go as planned. Those are the same skills we rely on every day in construction."
- Caitlin Shirvinski
Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Construction
For the fifth consecutive year, Coakley & Williams Construction proudly participated in Camp NAWIC, supporting an organization dedicated to introducing young women to careers in construction and the skilled trades.
Programs like Camp NAWIC help students discover the wide variety of opportunities available within the construction industry while building confidence, leadership, and problem-solving skills that will benefit them long after camp ends.
Coakley & Williams Construction is proud to support initiatives that inspire the next generation of builders and strengthen the future of the construction industry.
