This summer, 28 students in Fayetteville, North Carolina, spent a week learning how to fix drywall, wire outlets, replace faucets, and frame walls. Some had never held a power drill. By the end of the week, they were confidently building a permanent structure for a local farm.
Habitat for Humanity's Construction Camp is designed to give high school students hands-on exposure to the skilled trades—and this year, Lowe's played a key role in making that possible.
Every student who completed the camp walked away with a professional-grade toolkit, thanks to Lowe's support. "They think the tools are just for camp," said Brandon Price, who oversees the program. "Then we tell them on the last day, 'They're yours.' The looks on their faces—it's just pure excitement."
For many of these students, it's the first time they've had access to tools at home. "A lot of families don't have a full toolkit," Price said. "Some might have one screwdriver. Now these kids can go home and fix things. That means a lot."
Throughout the week, local experts volunteered to teach the basics of carpentry, plumbing and electrical work. Phones and smartwatches were off. Students worked in teams. Confidence grew.
Price recalls one student who quietly asked to take home a toilet lever after the plumbing module. "I said sure, no problem. But later it hit me—maybe they don't have one that works at home. That stuck with me."
The impact is already showing up in long-term ways. Last year's campers have gone on to pursue apprenticeships and trade programs. One student returned this summer as a volunteer, determined to become a carpenter after discovering his talent for the work.
Price, who grew up in a trailer without basic plumbing repairs, sees the program as a way to break cycles of housing insecurity. "If we can help students learn how to maintain a home, we keep more money in the household. That matters. And if we can inspire them to pursue a trade, even better."
The construction camp has also helped strengthen partnerships with local colleges and sparked new academic tracks in project management.
Lowe's investment in toolkits did more than support a one-week camp. It gave students the tools—and the belief—that they can build something for themselves.
