Popular high school career camp expands to the Eastern Shore
June 2024
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
With more women taking on roles in field work, attracting them to the responsibilities and teamwork of a line crew remains a challenge. These types of operational roles can and do often lead to a variety of leadership opportunities within an organization. A few years ago, the electric cooperatives of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware introduced a program called Girl Power, a one-day camp where female high school students are afforded hands-on experience with a variety of careers in the power industry.
For the past three years, the camp has been held at the electric cooperatives’ training facility in Palymra, Va. More than 80 students registered for last year’s event.
To better serve the Eastern Shore region, the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives is excited to add a second camp to the calendar this year. On Oct. 3, Girl Power will be offered at the Choptank Electric Cooperative district office in Salisbury, Md., as well as in Palmyra on Oct. 30.
The one-day energy career experience is intended for high school girls interested or curious about working on a line crew, as an electrical engineer, in a substation, as a drone operator, with advanced metering technology or as a fiber broadband technician. Instructors will lead students through various activities in the classroom and outdoors. Campers can expect to learn about safety on the job, including how to safely climb a utility pole, operate a bucket truck and pilot a drone.
For more information, visit vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers.
