By Lookout Staff

February 22, 2012 -- It was women symbolized by Rosie the Riveter who welded together the airplanes built at the Douglas plant in Santa Monica to fight World War II.

Some 70 years later, young girls can follow in their pioneering footsteps by welding and hammering their way as part of the Rosie’s Girls Santa Monica's Spring Challenge 2012.

The unique camp pairs Rosie’s Girls alumnae with 5th grade girls to work side-by-side on fun, hands-on projects in carpentry and welding, creative expression, physical challenges and leadership development.

The Spring Challenge will be taking place April 9-13 at the City Maintenance Yards located at 2500 Michigan Avenue. This year each girl will be building their own “It’s time to…CLOCK” trades project.

The camp is open to 5th grade girls who "are interested in challenging activities and finding out how much they can achieve and returning alumnae who have participated in Rosie’s Girls at least one summer who are interested in leading and being role models for incoming Rosie’s Girls," organizers said.

Rosie’s Girls will also offer two three-week sessions in the summer: from June 25 to July 13 and from July 23 to August 10, 2012 for girls entering grades 6 through 8 in the coming school year 2012-13. Generous financial assistance is available to qualifying families. Payment plans are available upon request.

Rosie’s Girls Santa Monica is the current recipient of the League of California Cities’ Helen Putnam Award for Excellence for engaging youth in city government.

"It is designed especially for girls entering middle school to develop self-esteem, leadership and physical confidence through an exploration of the trades and other non-traditional activities," organizers said.

For more information about Rosie’s Girls, including fees and hours, visit www.rosiesgirls.smgov.net or call (310) 458-8688.