BSCI Construction Camps Provide Long-Lasting Benefits

BSCI’s week-long camps include the Construction Management Summer Academy for Young Women and Building Construction Camp.

Associate Professor Lauren Redden founded and leads the Construction Management Summer Academy for Young Women, geared toward rising high school juniors and seniors interested in learning about the diverse career opportunities available in construction management. Redden not only directs the camp but also encourages participants to explore the industry through sessions such as career mapping in the built environment, professional and personal development and materials and methods.

Camp participants explore and experiment with many different hands-on construction activities and take a field trip to an active, large-scale commercial construction site. Industry professionals from camp sponsors, as well as other BSCI faculty members, also engage with campers throughout the week in various ways.

“The impact of this camp is truly groundbreaking,” Redden said. “Each year, campers develop confidence and a strong sense of what it means to choose a career in construction. They leave with new skills and memories that will shape their futures.

“In their feedback, the students overwhelmingly share that they will recommend the program to others because of the elevated academic and campus experiences the camp offers,” she added. “Beyond just having fun, it fosters an environment where young people can discover their career passions, challenge themselves and grow in a supportive setting.”

Two of Redden’s former camp participants include Audrey Cecil and Kathryn McEniry, both current BSCI sophomores.

“My experience with the Construction Management Camp was overwhelmingly positive,” Cecil shared. “It boosted my confidence to pursue a career in the construction industry and when I arrived at school, I already knew several peers from camp. That made my transition to college much smoother.”

McEniry agreed, stating, “The summer academy was my most prominent introduction to construction management, both Auburn’s program and the industry as a whole.” Prior to attending the camp, McEniry was not familiar with Auburn’s program but emphasizes how that week opened the door to a whole new field.

“The camp showcased the excellence of the McWhorter School of Building Science and played a large role in my ultimate decision to become a Building Science student,” she continued. “I also really appreciated the space it created for women in the field. Overall, I’m grateful I got to attend because it familiarized me with Building Science at Auburn in a positive and effective way.”

The second BSCI camp is the Building Construction Camp, led by Jonathan Tucker, Field Lab Manager and Senior Lecturer. The primary focus of this camp is the hands-on construction of an 8×10 storage shed, donated afterward to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Over the course of the camp, students have to explain their estimate, sketch up a model and present the completed product.

Students also attend presentations on various aspects of construction led by various BSCI faculty members. These included contracting business, estimating, scheduling, the CIT model, safety and quality control.

“The camp showcased the excellence of the McWhorter School of Building Science and played a large role in my ultimate decision to become a Building Science student,” she continued. “I also really appreciated the space it created for women in the field. Overall, I’m grateful I got to attend because it familiarized me with Building Science at Auburn in a positive and effective way.”

The second BSCI camp is the Building Construction Camp, led by Jonathan Tucker, Field Lab Manager and Senior Lecturer. The primary focus of this camp is the hands-on construction of an 8×10 storage shed, donated afterward to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Over the course of the camp, students have to explain their estimate, sketch up a model and present the completed product.

Students also attend presentations on various aspects of construction led by various BSCI faculty members. These included contracting business, estimating, scheduling, the CIT model, safety and quality control.

“Auburn’s Building Construction Camp gives high school students a chance to learn more about the many different roles and opportunities within the construction industry and to truly see if this is a major they want to pursue,” Tucker said of the camp’s mission.  “In addition, the camp also offers the opportunity to learn basic carpentry skills and tool safety practices as we build a Habitat for Humanity storage shed together as a team.”

BSCI sophomore Ryan Pfeiffer attended Tucker’s Building Construction Camp in 2022 to explore his interest in the construction field and determine if a career in construction was the right fit for him.

My camp experience showed me that this major and career would connect me with those with similar goals, and I would be able to see the tangible results of my work,” Pfeiffer shared. “I am currently a sophomore in the pre-Building Science program and am thrilled that I took the initiative to participate in this camp. I would recommend it to anyone who is planning to join the Auburn family.”

Tatum Benefield, a current senior in BSCI, highlights how his experience at Building Construction camp greatly impacted his decision to attend Auburn.

“The knowledge I gained cemented my decision to pursue Building Science as a major,” Benefield stated. “The faculty was also enormously helpful and provided much guidance. I would highly recommend Building Construction Camp to prospective students who are curious as to whether they should pursue construction as a career.”