Camp mentors and coaches, who are members of the architecture, engineering, and construction professions, are a critical part of success for the camps. These professionals work with students interested in pursuing engineering-related studies in college or a service academy and help them understand how to engage with clients to deliver sound installation and facilities-related products.
In June, students spent their camp week tackling hands-on construction and engineering projects devised by the volunteers. Divided into five groups, a healthy spirit of competition drove the kids through problem solving challenges and team building exercises.
Campers at Camp Lejeune test, shoot, build, design and construct engineering challenges!
The projects included designing and building a concrete beam that was tested under the wheel of a 7-ton truck. Each team also was challenged to build a trebuchet that could throw tennis balls the furthest. Another challenge was the design and construction of a cardboard boat called the AAV, or Amphibious Assault Vehicle by the Marines. The boat not only had to support a camper, but also had to race the other boats for two lengths of the pool!
Construction and trials of the AAV.
These and other challenges were led by mentors from engineering, architecture, and construction firms; military leaders; and U.S. Marine Corps engineers who all gave generously of their time.
As can be expected, a lot of preparation goes into running such a camp. Rising to the challenge, AFG Group Inc.’s DOD Director of Operations, and SAME Hampton Roads Post President-Elect, John Crossen, P.E., Esq., LEED AP proudly volunteered this year as a logistics manager for the camp.
What was it like? John gave us the inside scoop!
“My logistics team and I were tasked with making sure that all five squads of campers, their squad leaders, and their mentors all had everything they needed, when they needed it, and set up ready to go.
While we had one event under way, we had a team getting the next event ready and then another team ready to break down the last event. On top of all that, we made sure everyone had water, Gatorades, plenty of ice, and food when the time came. To welcome the gang into town on the first Sunday, I grilled/smoked five huge pork shoulders for hours for a real North Carolina cook out, and my partner in crime, Ms. Ruthie King, cooked a real N.C. Low Country Boil right next to me for their welcome to town dinner!
Typically, as is expected, the mentors really get to know the kids; however, those of us on our superb logistics team love making sure everything is ready to fire when they need it. We started early, 0645 each morning, before the campers got to Courthouse Bay from the Inns of the Corps, and we worked buttoning everything up and getting the next day ready, until well after they all finished dinner and went back to the Inn to hang out.
For the mentors and squad leaders, we try to make it easy. Our goal was always that they show up and everything is ready for them. Many of them stated to me at the end that they did not know which job they wanted before the camp started, but after watching us all week they said they now know which job they definitely do not want. Yes, to our logistics team and I, it is work, work, and more work from Saturday until Saturday in 90-degree heat and 100 percent humidity all week long, but we love it because when we see those kids having a great time, we know we did our jobs!”
Interested in getting involved with one of SAME’s Engineering & Construction Camps? Check out the Camps page on SAME’s website or read more about how to get involved as a mentor or camp staff. There’s no better way to make your mark on tomorrow’s leaders and STEM professionals!
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