Girls Inc. campers shift into gear with Lakes Region Community College

LACONIA — Girls Inc. is a national nonprofit with 75 affiliates across the United States and Canada, including one in New Hampshire. Through direct service and advocacy, Girls Inc. equips girls with the knowledge and skills to become leaders who change the world.

Girls Inc. of New Hampshire's Young Women in Leadership program is an eight-week summer camp for rising seventh through ninth graders that builds confidence, leadership skills and career awareness through hands-on experiences with professionals across industries. The Lakes Region Community College automotive team proudly participated in the event again this year under the leadership of the state’s only female post-secondary automotive instructor, Kim Stevenson.

The program kicked off at LRCC, where campers rotated through hands-on stations covering vehicle safety and basic maintenance — changing a spare tire and identifying parts under the hood, completing a seatbelt relay challenge with the New Hampshire State Police and even crafting wiring-repair bracelets. It was a chance for girls to try new skills and see career possibilities in the automotive field firsthand.

At McGovern Toyota of Nashua, YWL campers stepped into leadership roles, helping facilitate activity stations for younger Girls Inc. participants. Campers put their newly learned automotive skills to the test and built on their confidence and communication skills while mentoring the next generation.

At McGovern Toyota of Concord, campers explored the sales side of the industry, participating in a mock sales meeting and a simulated vehicle sale from start to finish. This introduced them to careers in sales, marketing, management, and customer relations.

The summer wrapped up with the annual Career Fair at Saint Anselm College, where campers connected with professionals, learned about career pathways and practiced mock interviews.

From hands-on automotive experiences to mentoring and career exploration, this year's YWL program helped girls dream bigger and lead with confidence. LRCC is proud to help girls discover their own potential — and develop the leadership skills they'll need to reach their goals.

For more information, visit girlsincnh.org.