Sheridan hosts Women in Trades Retreat at Camp Ak-O-Mak

Last month, Sheridan hosted its inaugural Women in Trades Leadership Retreat in Camp Ak-O-Mak – Canada’s oldest competitive sports camp for girls.

The event brought together Sheridan instructors along with peers and fellow tradespeople from Fanshawe College, Lambton College, Northern College and Mohawk College. Together, the group helped prepare the camp for its grand opening. Attendees worked on various projects, including welding a Camp Ak-O-Mak sign, building and positioning new docks in the lake, building a backstop fence for the baseball diamond, and other general tasks to prepare the space for summer campgoers.

“Camp Ak-O-Mak has been a second home to me since I was a little girl,” says Dr. Janet Morrison, President and Vice Chancellor of Sheridan College. “The environment fosters a sense of community, belonging and sisterhood. It is an absolute honour to be here as we work together to support the camp so it’s available for generations of girls and women to come.”

Alongside the work done to prepare the camp, attendees had the opportunity to network and chat about their professional experiences working in the skilled trades. Over the course of the weekend, attendees shared their stories of inspiration and perseverance.

“I want to congratulate Sheridan College and their peers at Fanshawe, Lambton, Northern and Mohawk Colleges on this empowering program. It was an honour to share my story with bright young women who are interested in the skilled trades,” said Melissa Young, CEO and Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario. “Skilled Trades Ontario remains committed to driving change for the next generation, by creating an inclusive environment where women and underrepresented groups feel welcomed and have access to the many opportunities that exist in the skilled trades.”

Lindsay Engel, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, also took part in the retreat. “The atmosphere at Camp Ak-O-Mak is warm, inclusive, and supportive, creating a safe space for us to share our experiences, challenges, and successes,” she said. “The retreat fostered a sense of camaraderie and solidarity among the attendees.”

Learn more about studying in the skilled trades at Sheridan.

Photos courtesy of Dominique Rivera, Digital Content Specialist, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology