Girls Can Too Summer 2020
Girls Can Too (GCT) is a program designed to introduce and prepare young women for careers in the trades and environmental sector.
While completing valuable projects that contribute to the ecological well-being and sustainability of the community, participants learn a range of hands-on skills, meet with and learn from successful female professionals in a variety of environmental-focused roles, and network with environmental organizations in the region.
Earn experience, gain confidence and build your resume with Girls Can Too this summer!
This program also offers participants a chance to earn up to 35 community service hours.
ELIGIBILITY:
- Females in grades 7 to 12
- Able to commit to volunteering for five full days (Monday to Friday)
- Interested in the outdoors and environmental conservation
- Comfortable working in a team environment
- Punctual and reliable
TRCA is committed to creating an accessible and LGBTQ2+ inclusive environment. If you have any questions about registration or require an accommodation, please contact girlscantoo@trca.ca.
PROGRAM WEEKS:
Upcoming Fall Events:
Please Note: TRCA is currently accepting applications for future programs. Pending guidelines from Federal and Provincial Government, and Municipal Health Authorities as it relates to the COVID-19 situation, we look forward to offering safe and fun experiences soon. We will update all applicants as additional information becomes available.
ABOUT GIRLS CAN TOO
“Girls aren’t generally encouraged to enter skilled trades. This program provides an opportunity to learn those skills in a fun and safe environment.” – Nadia Zanardi, Program Lead, Girls Can Too
The Girls Can Too program provides young women with hands-on learning experiences in construction and ecology. The program is spearheaded and delivered by three female university students, and includes mentorship and training opportunities with females from a variety of professions.
Upon completion of the program, participants receive a certificate verifying their hours of community service to the Bolton Camp, which can be used towards their high school diploma.
In 2018 we worked on several projects that will help contribute to the revitalization of Bolton Camp and improve the ecosystems that are vital to the health of the Humber River watershed, including: tree planting, trail restoration, building habitat structures, restoring a ravine, and building a trail kiosk.
All projects contain construction and ecology aspects that will enable participants to gain hands-on skills, learn about the natural environment and sustainability. Female mentors will provide practical instruction, positive leadership, host workshops and share first-hand experiences during Lunch N’ Learn sessions.
Questions about Girls Can Too?
Please email girlscantoo@trca.on.ca.
OUR PROJECTS
Trail Restoration
Participants will restore one kilometer of hiking trail, which will benefit the ecological heritage of the landscape, and provide the community with access to additional recreational space.
Woodland and Riparian Restoration
Participants will plant trees and shrubs to restore woodland habitat impacted by the Emerald Ash Borer, and restore habitat along a ravine to improve biodiversity and prevent erosion.
Trail Kiosk
Participants will build a trail kiosk, in addition to completing various workshops and training sessions related to the project, such as design and construction. The work will connect sustainable design and ecology by building an artistic kiosk that provides interpretive signage communicating the importance of habitat for native wildlife, while cultivating connections for visitors to the site’s trails and natural ecology.
Creating Habitat
Participants will build and install several habitat structures repurposed from abated ash trees that will provide shelter and nesting sites for local wildlife. These habitat features will include nest boxes and habitat piles. During this project, participants will learn how to use a variety of power tools and obtain the technical skills required by the trade industry.
Lunch and Learn
On each Friday, professional woman will join us for an hour over a Lunch and Learn session, and inspire the participants with their stories about how they achieved a non traditional career. This is an engaging discussion where questions and conversation are encouraged. Lunch we be provided in kind by a local business in Bolton.
Workshops
Throughout the week, participants will be introduced to a variety of educational topics including wildlife identification, forestry, invasive species management, nature inspired art, microplastics, and more!
We would like to extend a big thank you to all organizations, and community members for their support of this initiative with time, mentorship, financial and in-kind donations. The success of this program would not be possible without your generosity and guidance.
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