Rosie’s Girls Offers Pre-Teens a Chance to Explore Carpentry, Welding and Creative Expression

Summer vacation is just around the corner. The last day of school for SMMUSD students is Wednesday, June 22.  If you are still wondering what to do with your pre-teen daughter, let me suggest the City of Santa Monica’s award-winning program, Rosie’s Girls.  Donning hardhats and jumpsuits, each summer, more than sixty 11 to 13-year-old girls head into the City’s trades shops to learn how to operate saws, drills, welding torches and other tools of the trades. Over the three-week period, the girls will construct decorative chairs that reflect their perceptions, hopes and dreams. This isn’t your typical summer day camp.

This is Rosie’s Girls, which is specially designed for girls entering grades 6-8 in the coming school year to build self-esteem, physical confidence and leadership through an exploration of the trades and other non-traditional activities.   Girls go "behind the scenes" and experience what it takes to maintain a city as they learn and apply skills in carpentry, welding, plumbing, tree trimming, and fire-fighting for a one-of-a-kind summer experience! The curriculum also includes physical challenges, creative expression, development of leadership and critical thinking skills, a collaborative community service project, and more. 

The camp is located at the City Yards at 2500 Michigan Avenue. Pick up and drop off is at Stewart Park on 1850 Stewart Street, south of Olympic Blvd. Camp runs Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Each session is three-weeks, beginning July 5 – 22.  The second session is August 1 – 19.  The cost for residents is $1140 per session. Non-residents pay $1455. There is a $75 materials fee.  Extended care (7:00-8:30a.m. and 5:00-6:00p.m.) is available for an additional $35 per week.