Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC), in partnership with Scene of the Crash Car Club, welcomed 30 local youth to its annual Youth Welding Camp today on the Sioux City campus.
Now in its fourth year, the free camp introduces students ages 10 to 16 to the fundamentals of welding through safe, hands-on projects designed for beginners. Campers work alongside experienced WITCC instructors to learn basic welding techniques, practice proper shop safety, and create projects they can take home.
The four-day camp runs July 20 through 23. Students ages 10 to 13 attend from 8 to 10 a.m., while students ages 14 to 16 participate from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This year's camp is full, with 15 participants in each age group. "One of the best parts of this camp is watching students discover they can build something with their own hands," said Kevin Woockman, Director of Building Trades and Apprenticeship at WITCC. "Many have never welded before, while others return each year because they enjoy it so much. By the end of the week, they've learned new skills, gained confidence, and created projects they're proud to take home. We're grateful to Scene of the Crash for making this opportunity available at no cost to families."
The camp is made possible through the generosity of Scene of the Crash Car Club, which funds the program through proceeds from its annual car show. The partnership helps introduce young people to skilled trades while encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and career exploration.
By offering experiences like Youth Welding Camp, WITCC continues to connect students with hands-on learning opportunities that spark interests and introduce potential career pathways in the skilled trades.