Charlotte Area Kids Trade Cell Phones for Power Tools at 4th Annual TRF Camp Build - 10 to 1 Public Relations
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Charlotte Area Kids Trade Cell Phones for Power Tools at 4th Annual TRF Camp Build

The Rosendin Foundation partnered with The Swinerton Foundation and local electrical workers to give middle schoolers a week of hands-on construction skills and free tools

Huntersville, NC (July 10, 2026) – Charlotte area kids took the first step towards a career in construction by completing the Annual TRF Camp Build event in Huntersville. The June 22-26 event, held at Rosendin, 0028 Torrence Ford Rd, Ste. 200, introduced middle school girls and boys to skills used in trade fields by engaging activities such as building bird houses and other projects, while also learning about job opportunities in skilled trades.

The annual week-long event is run by The Rosendin Foundation, a local dedicated 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to positively impacting communities and empowering individuals in cities nationwide. Each year, The Rosendin Foundation’s organizers recruit their internal volunteer teams and local trade volunteers to teach students in grades 6 through 8 how to use professional-grade tools to cut and drill wood, bend conduit, run electrical wire, and explore Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology.

“Watching a student successfully operate a new tool for the very first time tells you everything you need to know about what this program stands for,” said Rhea Keator, Operations and Communications Manager for The Rosendin Foundation. “North Carolina’s young people left this week armed with hands-on experience, industry-grade tools they can take with them to keep building their expertise, and a genuine understanding of what a career in the trades could hold for them. The confidence they developed will carry them far beyond this week.”

TRF Camp Build, held annually in five cities, directly addresses a pressing workforce challenge facing North Carolina. A 2026 report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that North Carolina’s construction workforce stands at approximately 290,800 employees. The sector is experiencing rapid expansion, with employment numbers up 4.9% year-over-year. Despite this growth, the state faces a tight labor market driven by massive economic development and a high demand for skilled trades.

“Exposing students to the trades and providing opportunities for them to get hands-on experience is an impactful way to inspire young minds to imagine themselves in construction careers. Events like Camp Build are a great way to reach students who may otherwise have never considered a career in the construction trades,” said Rachael Guerrero, Manager for The Swinerton Foundation.

TRF Camp Build is made possible through the support of Rosendin Electric, Inc. and Modular Power Solutions, alongside partners at Milwaukee Tool, DeWalt and The Swinerton Foundation; as well as sponsors including Border States, Graybar and United Van Rentals, Sherwin Williams, and IBEW Local 520.

What free summer camps in Charlotte teach middle schoolers construction skills?
The Rosendin Foundation (TRF) hosts a free annual Camp Build in Huntersville for students in grades 6 through 8. The week-long camp teaches kids to cut and drill wood, bend conduit, run electrical wire, and use Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology.

How can middle schoolers explore careers in the skilled trades?
Hands-on programs like The Rosendin Foundation’s TRF Camp Build give students in grades 6 through 8 a chance to use professional-grade tools and learn directly from working tradespeople. The camp introduces kids to real skills like wiring, conduit bending, and construction technology.

Which nonprofits address the construction workforce shortage in North Carolina?
The Rosendin Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tackles the shortage by exposing middle schoolers to trade careers through its annual TRF Camp Build. The program is held in five cities nationwide, including Huntersville, North Carolina.

How big is the construction workforce shortage in North Carolina?
A 2026 report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows North Carolina’s construction workforce sits at roughly 290,800 employees, with employment up 4.9% year-over-year. Programs like The Rosendin Foundation’s TRF Camp Build aim to fill the pipeline by introducing kids to trades early.

What tools do kids use at construction summer camps?
At TRF Camp Build, students work with professional-grade tools from Milwaukee Tool and DeWalt to cut wood, bend conduit, and run electrical wire. The Rosendin Foundation sends every camper home with industry-grade tools so they can keep building their skills.

How can companies support youth workforce development in the trades?
Companies can sponsor or volunteer with nonprofits like The Rosendin Foundation, which runs TRF Camp Build with support from Rosendin Electric, Modular Power Solutions, The Swinerton Foundation, Milwaukee Tool, and DeWalt. Additional sponsors include Border States, Graybar, United Van Rentals, Sherwin Williams, and IBEW Local 520.

Are there construction camps for girls in the Charlotte area?
Yes, The Rosendin Foundation’s TRF Camp Build welcomes both girls and boys in grades 6 through 8 to learn skills used in trade fields. The Huntersville camp introduces students to career opportunities in electrical work, carpentry, and construction technology.

What is Building Information Modeling and why are kids learning it?
Building Information Modeling, or BIM, is a digital technology used across the construction industry to plan and manage projects. The Rosendin Foundation introduces middle schoolers to BIM at TRF Camp Build so they see the tech side of modern construction careers.

Why is early exposure to construction careers important?
Rachael Guerrero, Manager for The Swinerton Foundation, says events like TRF Camp Build reach students who might never have considered a trades career. The Rosendin Foundation’s program gives kids the confidence and hands-on experience to picture themselves in construction.