Framing the Future: Investing in the Next Generation of Builders

There is something different about learning construction with a hammer in your hand. You can study drawings, read about building materials, and watch someone frame a wall. But there is no substitute for getting out on a jobsite, working alongside experienced tradespeople, and seeing how the pieces come together.

That is the idea behind the Spokane Home Builders Association's Construction Camp, an annual event that introduces local high school students to the construction trades through hands-on experience. Camco Construction's Leif Challender was among the industry professionals who participated in the 2026 event, helping students gain firsthand experience in the kind of work that goes into building the homes and structures we use every day.

Learning by Doing

The event brought together high school juniors and seniors from Career and Technical Education programs throughout the Spokane area. At the Spokane Humane Society, students rotated through hands-on building stations, working alongside construction professionals on framing, trusses, decks, and walls.

Instead of simply learning about construction in a classroom, they had the opportunity to use tools, work with building materials, and see how individual construction tasks contribute to a finished structure. By the end of the day, the students had worked together to complete two 12-by-18-foot storage sheds for the Spokane Humane Society. Their work provided a tangible example of how construction skills can be used to make a difference in the community.

Passing on the Skills That Build Our Community

For Leif, participating in an event like Construction Camp is an opportunity to share practical knowledge with young people who may be considering a future in the trades. Construction offers many different career paths, from carpentry and equipment operation to estimating, project management, and business ownership.

Events like Construction Camp give students a chance to experience some of those possibilities firsthand while learning from people who work in the industry every day. They also provide an opportunity for experienced builders to share the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their careers.

Building Something That Lasts

Camco has been part of Spokane's construction community since 1976. Today, Leif and Amy Challender continue that family-owned tradition. The construction industry depends on people who are willing to learn, work hard, develop their skills, and take pride in what they build. Supporting opportunities for young people to explore the trades helps keep those skills alive for future generations.

We are glad Leif had the opportunity to participate in Construction Camp and be part of an event that brought together students, local construction professionals, and the Spokane Humane Society. Sometimes building for the future means helping someone else learn how to build.