U.P. students learn trades at annual summer camp

What's happening: The Upper Peninsula Construction Council has completed its fourth Building Trades Summer Camp, a six-week program designed to introduce students to careers in the skilled trades. Campers worked with union tradespeople on a wide range of tasks, including concrete work, masonry, electrical wiring, heavy equipment operation, plumbing, HVAC, welding, structural steel assembly, and industrial machinery installation and repair and more. Held in Gladstone, the camp also taught students about local labor history and collective bargaining, offering participants perspective on the impact of unions on wages, benefits, and workplace safety.  The program’s goal is to provide both practical experience and broader context, giving students technical skills and a clearer understanding of the construction industry as they consider future career paths.

Practical learning: Students were able to complete two major community service projects as part of their camp learning experience. The first was building a new foundation for a shed to be used by the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District and the second was replacing concrete at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. Multiple union members were there to provide their expertise during the projects, allowing the students to safely complete the work.
Additional time was spent on field trips, as the campers were able to visit multiple active job sites in various utilities, construction and manufacturing fields. 

What they're saying: “This experience has helped you explore what the world needs, what you’re good at, what you love and what you can be paid for,” said Trent Bellingar, director of the DSISD Career and Technical Education Center. “You’ve started filling your toolbox of skills needed for a successful future and taken one more step toward being a positive contributor to society.”

What's next: The camp location rotates throughout the U.P. each summer to help serve students from different regions. Registration for camp in 2026 will open in April.