GRIT Camps

GRIT Camps bring together contractors, mentors, and community partners to create immersive, one-day workshops where students experience the trades up close. Guided by skilled tradespeople and grounded in the Socratic method, each camp invites students to ask questions, solve problems, and work with their hands.

It’s not about recruiting — it’s about sharing real skills, real tools, and real respect for the people who build and repair the world around us.

Contractors

Bring GRIT to your business or training center. Host a one-day camp that showcases your trade — from HVAC and Electrical to Plumbing, Carpentry, and more.

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Educators

GRIT Camps are powered by local contractors and skilled tradespeople who mentor students through hands-on learning. Educators can team up with a contractor in their community to bring a camp to life.

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Manufacturers

By funding GRIT Camps and sponsoring our initiatives, you help create hands-on experiences that connect students with the real people, real tools and real skills behind the trades.

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Why Host a GRIT Camp?

  1. Inspire the Next Generation

    Give students hands-on exposure to real tools and trades, helping them discover career paths they may have never considered.

  2. Collaborative Experience

    Participants use real tools, solve real problems, and experience the challenges and rewards of the trades firsthand. Each camp is engaging, educational, and fun—built through collaboration between mentors and students.

  3. Strengthen Your Community

    Lead by example and open your doors to the next generation. Show local youth the skill, purpose, and impact behind your trade.

How do I host a GRIT Camp?

Plan 10–16 weeks ahead for a one-day, hands-on GRIT Camp. Hosts recruit local students and skilled tradespeople as mentors, with GRIT supporting logistics, administration, and preparation. Camps serve up to 16 students, with no more than two students per assigned mentor, plus at least one floater and a separate Education Lead. Mentor numbers depend on enrollment. Dates may be confirmed before training is complete. Mentors must complete the approximately three-hour course, targeting six weeks before camp and finishing no later than three weeks before camp; the Host and Host Facilitator are encouraged to take it. If required training is incomplete at the deadline, postpone and notify students and parents. Begin student recruitment 6–8 weeks before camp and close registration two weeks before camp.

Past GRIT Camp Hosts

Camp resources

Everything you need to prepare for and run a GRIT Camp.

  • PDF For Hosts

    Host & Host Facilitator Quick Start Guide

    Start here for camp preparation, responsibilities, supplies, attendee support and practical day-of decisions. Revised September 17, 2026.

    View guide

  • PDF For Hosts

    Student Recruitment Guide

    A successful workshop starts with recruiting the right audience and sharing your registration materials consistently. Use this guide for tips and tricks on how to get the right audience at your workshop.

    View guide

  • PDF For Hosts

    Camp Day Operating Checklist

    One printable sheet for named responsibilities, final checks, transition times and day-of decisions. September 17, 2026.

    View checklist

  • PDF For Hosts

    GRIT Camp Host Timeline

    A planning checklist from the first conversation through camp follow-up, including training and enrollment timing. Revised September 17, 2026.

    View timeline

  • Chart For Hosts

    GRIT Camps vs Workshops

    A visual chart of what separates a GRIT Workshop from a GRIT Camp.

    View chart

  • PDF For Hosts

    GRIT Camp Guide

    The complete camp reference, with aligned roles, planning, materials, teaching flow and the current blueprint. Revised September 17, 2026.

    View guide

  • Flyer For Hosts

    GRIT Workshop Flyer

    An overview of the mission behind our workshops along with the different workshop sessions we offer.

    View flyer

  • PDF For Hosts

    Education Lead Guide

    Prepare Mentors, guide discovery and manage the camp’s teaching and transitions. Revised September 17, 2026.

    View guide

  • Deck For Hosts

    Workshop Host Guide Deck

    A presentation outlining what is expected of a workshop host.

    View deck

  • PDF For Mentors

    Mentor Quick Start Guide

    Prepare for camp, guide students through the project, and support safe participation and discovery. Revised September 17, 2026.

    View guide

  • PDF For Mentors

    GRIT Camp Safety Guide

    PPE, safety briefing, tool supervision and concise attendee-support guidance for Hosts and Mentors. Revised September 17, 2026.

    View guide

  • PDF For Mentors

    Soldering, Brazing & Aluminum Repair Guide

    Torch-system selection, matched supplies, adult oxy-acetylene ignition and step-by-step joining methods. Revised September 17, 2026.

    View guide

  • PDF For Mentors

    Torch Joining Field Guide

    A visual field reference for torch selection, setup and joining methods. Use alongside the Soldering, Brazing & Aluminum Repair Guide.

    View field guide

  • PDF For Hosts

    GRIT Camp Lunch Guide

    Plan food for every diner and select a few science activities within the 45–60-minute lunch block. Revised September 17, 2026.

    View guide

  • PDF For Students

    GRIT Camp Blueprint

    Current two-sided student blueprint with matching revision dates and clarified copper-joining and hole-fit notes. September 17, 2026.

    View blueprint

  • PDF For Hosts

    Luan Backer Cut Layout

    A printable 19-panel layout for a nominal 4 × 8 ft sheet, with saw-kerf allowance and an actual-frame fit check. September 17, 2026.

    View cut layout

  • PDF For Hosts

    Camp Recruitment & Participant Communication Guide

    Recruit Students, Mentors and Volunteers, and coordinate enrollment, reminders, attendee support and follow-up. Revised September 17, 2026.

    View guide

  • PDF For Hosts

    Camp Cost & Sponsorship Guide

    Plan the camp budget, confirm donated or borrowed supplies, and organize local sponsorships. Current guide set: September 17, 2026.

    View guide

  • PDF For Hosts

    Camp Community Outreach Guide

    Build community support, promote camp, capture photos and share the experience afterward. Current guide set: September 17, 2026.

    View guide

  • PDF For Hosts

    Camp Press Release Template

    A reusable local-media announcement template with formatting notes. Replace the placeholders with your camp’s confirmed details.

    View template

  • FAQ For Hosts

    GRIT Camp FAQs

    Answers to common hosting questions, including planning, staffing, training and camp preparation. Current guide set: September 17, 2026.

    View FAQs

  • FAQ For Students

    Parent FAQs

    What families can expect, who camp is for, supervision, what to bring and how to prepare. Current guide set: September 17, 2026.

    View parent FAQs

See camps and workshops in action

Photos and videos from every GRIT event, on our social channels.

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