When faced with the challenge of how to increase enrolment of women in engineering programs across Canada—with women representing a mere 22 per cent of engineering undergraduates, according to Engineers Canada— a team of volunteers in Ontario brainstormed how to reach young girls, especially considering the fact that there is a significant drop in girls’ confidence come puberty. 

“We thought if we can [encourage] them in that grade five to grade eight range, while they still believe in themselves and they're still excited [in math and science], that maybe we could give them a unique experience [to] show them that STEM is fun,” said Karen Callery, director of logistics for Camp Engies, which officially launched in 2018. 

The not-for-profit organization is led by women in engineering and promotes careers and education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) for young girls in grades five to eight. By engaging young campers in STEM-related activities in an inclusive environment, the organization aspires to increase young girls’ confidence in their abilities, so that they will hopefully pursue a career in STEM in the future.  

Callery explained that some examples of activities offered include building flashlights and fans, while others also delve into important issues, such as sustainable mining. One activity in a previous camp required participants to dig through various layers of “soil,” which was constructed using food items such as Oreo cookies, pudding and rock candies. The campers were assigned the challenge of recovering lima beans from the “soil” without disturbing too much of the “land.”  

“They were encouraged to be very conscious about the land and not just rip everything apart to try and find these beans,” Callery said. Other activities provided campers a chance to learn about chemical engineering by producing their own face masks, lip balms, bath bombs and even toothpaste. To learn about physics, campers last year were offered the chance to participate in archery courses. Every year, new activities are introduced, as Callery has noticed that past campers tend to return. 

In addition to these activities, Camp Engies also invites influential women engineering speakers from academia and industry to share their experiences as women in STEM.  

Callery noted that there are also opportunities for post-secondary engineering students and engineers to get involved as volunteers. Girls in high school can also participate and gain credit towards mandatory volunteering if they live in a province that requires community service hours to graduate.  

Since Camp Engies first started, Callery has noticed a significant increase in participants. “Our very first camp, we had about 65 students,” she recalls. “And this year, when we opened up registration for the Ontario camp, we originally capped it at 200 students, and it filled up within hours.”

The Ontario camp ended up making space for 90 more students, namely those who are considered underrepresented in engineering, including girls from remote Indigenous communities and refugees.  

While there is a nominal fee charged to participate in the Ontario and B.C. camps, the organization offers some free spots for underrepresented students. The camps located in Yukon and Nunavut are offered at no charge. 

In addition to the in-person camps scattered across the country, Camp Engies also offers the unique option of a virtual camp, which takes place on Oct. 9. This virtual camp, which usually spans one day, is targeted towards students who may be in more isolated communities but still want to be part of the experience. This option was originally offered at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic but has persisted thanks to sustained interest from campers and volunteers. 

Last year, Camp Engies offered four camps, located in Ontario, B.C., Nunavut and in Yukon for the first time. The Yukon camp turned out to be a great success, inspiring the team to try and introduce two new camps in the Northwest Territories – one in Yellowknife, and the other in the community of Behchokǫ, pending volunteer help, resources and sponsorship. 

“It’s really important to show these kids that opportunities like this exist and to encourage girls and women to go into engineering,” Callery said.  

This year the Ontario camp will run from June 8 to 9, the Yukon camp from July 23 to 24, and the new Northwest Territories camps from July 26 to 29. Due to time constraints, the B.C. and Nunavut camp will not be open this year, though the organization has offered to fly some of their B.C. leaders-in-training to Ontario this summer to participate in the camp experience. Organizers say that the camps are filling up quickly.  

The camps are sponsored by a variety of companies, including Ausenco, Tetra Tech, Hatch and more. Emin Meka, Ausenco’s vice-president of western Canada, said that supporting young women interested in STEM professions is an important part of ensuring a future generation of industry leaders.  

“As a father of two young girls, I'm proud to support the outstanding work Camp Engies is doing to foster the curiosity and confidence of these young minds, and as a company this is something we will continue to prioritize,” Meka said in a written statement to CIM Magazine. “By supporting Camp Engies, we’re investing not only in girls' education, but in the progress of the next generation.” 

Those interested in participating as volunteers or sponsors are encouraged to visit the Camp Engies website.