What’s summer without camp?

South Central Indiana REMC and Henry County REMC host camps to create interest in electric cooperatives

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Posted on Aug 30 2024 in A Co-op Perspective, Bartholomew County REMC, Clark County REMC, Daviess-Martin County REMC, Decatur County REMC, Dubois REC, Harrison REMC, Henry County REMC, Jackson County REMC, Orange County REMC, Southeastern Indiana REMC, Southern Indiana Power, WIN Energy REMC
On the final day of camp at Henry County REMC, summer cooperative camp participants gather around the Milwaukee Tools demo tent.
On the final day of camp at Henry County REMC, summer cooperative camp participants gather around the Milwaukee Tools demo tent.

South Central Indiana REMC (SCI) hosted a one-day Energy Explorers Camp for students in grades four through six, while Henry County REMC hosted a full-week Summer Cooperative Camp for high school students.

While the camps are still coming of age, being in their third and sixth years, respectively, they are finding a way to raise awareness of and interest in electric cooperatives among a younger generation.

“This is not just five days of entertainment,” Henry County REMC Camp Co-Director Heather Ruggles said. “The skilled trades industry is growing, and our heart is in helping kids who are undecided on a direction. We want to reach them at high school age to say, ‘There is a way other than college. We’re here to show you the different things you can do.’ It’s a good start for them.”

That start included classroom sessions inside as well as plenty of hands-on work outside, such as tree-trimming and pole setting. To wrap up the week, there were an array of activities — trenching, pole climbing, knot tying, locating services, running fiber, and riding the bucket truck. Campers came from as far as three hours away to participate.

Participants at South Central Indiana REMC’s Energy Explorers Camp listen during a warehouse tour.
Participants at South Central Indiana REMC’s Energy Explorers Camp listen during a warehouse tour.

The experiences for the Energy Explorers at SCI were simpler and more condensed but no less valuable. Campers did a solar jar activity, watched a live-line demonstration featuring hot dogs, grapefruits, and balloons, learned what to do if the car they were riding in came in contact with downed power lines, and took a warehouse tour. Afternoon stations consisted of fiber, vegetation management, dispatch, a bucket truck, and drones.

“The kids had a great time. We made it so they barely had any downtime,” said SCI Member Services Communications Specialist Haley Jansen.

With a pizza lunch and a lineman relay in the afternoon to burn off some energy, the camp kept flowing from start to finish.

“Our team at SCI demonstrated exceptional teamwork and collaboration, ensuring everything came together,” Jansen said. “We are prepared to provide a fun and educational experience for the kids.”

Both camps had approximately 20 attendees and are looking forward to growing numbers in the future.