Girl Power Camp Energizes High School Students on Delmarva

GREENWOOD, DE – Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) joined forces with A&N Electric Cooperative and Choptank Electric Cooperative for the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives’ (VMDAEC) second annual Girl Power Camp in Salisbury, Maryland on October 2, 2025. The event, held at Choptank Electric Cooperative’s Regional Service Center, was designed exclusively for high school girls interested in career opportunities in the electric utility industry. This year’s Girl Power Camp showed approximately 53 students, 60 volunteers and 7 chaperones the critical role women play in shaping the future of energy.

From climbing utility poles to using power tools, the young women had the chance to step into the shoes of energy professionals for the day. Participants rotated through hands-on stations that featured drilling, pole climbing, drone demonstrations, wire cutting and even a truck driving simulator. In addition, workshops on interview skills and career planning offered practical tools for life after graduation.

Among the DEC mentors was apprentice lineworker Megan Simmons, who demonstrated pole climbing techniques and encouraged students to give it a try themselves. “Trying something new is powerful,” Simmons shared. “You might discover an interest you didn’t know you had until you take that first step.”

Rob Book, DEC’s President & CEO, said the program reflects the Cooperative’s commitment to both innovation and education. “Girl Power Camp is more than a career exploration day, it’s a chance to inspire young women to see themselves as leaders in an industry that impacts every community. We hope this experience sparks curiosity and builds confidence that will stay with them for years to come.”

By engaging directly with students and offering hands-on experiences, DEC and its sister co-ops hope to build a strong pipeline of future energy leaders. The Girl Power Camp is part of the Cooperative’s mission to invest in education and community outreach.

For more details about Girl Power Camp, visit: www.vmdaec.com/girl-power-camp

Delaware Electric Cooperative is a member-owned utility serving more than 300,000 people in Kent and Sussex Counties. To learn more about DEC’s community programs and career opportunities, visit www.delaware.coop or follow DEC on social media.