Youth from Boys & Girls Clubs of the RRV construct bird feeders with building industry professionals

On July 11, Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation and the Building Industry Association of the Red River Valley partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley to organize a hands-on bird feeder construction activity for youth in the area to promote careers in construction.

Approximately 60 volunteers from BIA-RRV assisted 160 third through fifth graders to construct bird feeders provided by the generosity of Lowe’s. This activity was made possible by a grant from the National Association of Home Builders as well as the national partnership between NAHB and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. This was the second of four activities scheduled in 2024 between the two organizations on the local level.

Above: BIA-RRV volunteers and staff at Ed Clapp Elementary

Home Builders Care President Trevor Odden, Stone Ridge Builders says, “The kids were taught some basic safety tips before being turned loose to build their feeders. This involved them getting to nail together a few pieces and then decorate their feeders to make them unique. Both kids and volunteers had a great time, and we look forward to getting to do this with another group of kids in the near future. Our goal is to spark interest in the many fulfilling, lucrative careers the construction industry offers!”

The bird feeder construction activity encompassed four different Boys & Girls Clubs locations in the area, including Eagles Elementary, Centennial Elementary, Ed Clapp Elementary and Rose Creek Youth Center. Each location had two co-leaders who introduced the group of volunteers to the children. They also briefly

• touched on their construction-based career backgrounds,
• explained the agenda for the activity while describing the purpose of the visit,
• emphasized the importance of teamwork and creativity,
• presented a finished product of the bird feeder for the children to visualize, and
• led points of discussion throughout the duration of the activity.

Each volunteer assisted approximately four kids through a step-by-step process, demonstrating basic tool safety and skills with age-appropriate construction supplies.

Above: BIA-RRV volunteers and staff with the kids at Rose Creek Youth Center with their finished products

Sara Granger, resource & development director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley, says, “This was such a fun activity and a really great way to connect the kids in our Clubs with leaders in the community to learn more about the construction trades and build their own bird feeders to take home. It was an excellent way to help fulfill our mission to provide a safe, caring and fun environment for youth to learn, grow, and prepare for a great future. I’m not sure who had more fun, the kids or the volunteers!”

More information on other 2024 activities between Home Builders Care and Boys & Girls Clubs: 

• The first activity organized between the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley and Home Builders Care was June 6 at Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley.
• Teens toured the building site of the bathroom facility being constructed by students of the Herdina Construction Trades Camp as their service project for the Farm. Shortly after the tour, the teens split into four groups which were led by teams of industry professionals to construct produce stands for the Farm.
• Two more construction-related activities are currently being organized to continue this effort of showcasing construction trades careers to area youth.
• This month, Home Builders Care is planning tours of active construction sites with teens facilitated by the contractors themselves.
• This fall, another bird feeder day will be slated for an after-school activity with more third through fifth graders.

To visit NAHB's website, click here.

To learn more about Boys and Girls Clubs of America, click here.

For more information on Boys and Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley, click here.

To visit Lowe's website, click here.