TOPEKA, KS High school girls attending the MAGIC summer camp in Topeka, Kansas, this week are learning some new tricks about career opportunities in numerous construction and transportation fields.

MAGIC (Mentoring a Girl in Construction) introduces high school girls age 14 or older to trade skill occupations such as carpentry, safety, electrical and highway construction and gives them a chance to learn from women already succeeding in these jobs. The event is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

"It's important to show young women who will soon be entering the work force these job opportunities in previously non-traditional fields, said KDOT Civil Rights Administrator Doria Watson. "This camp gives students' self-confidence as they explore new career possibilities they may not have considered before."

Students will visit places such as Forbes Field, BNSF Railway, Topeka Metro, Home Depot, KDOT Materials and Research Center, Habitat for Humanity sites, and Victor L. Phillips Co. They will participate in hands-on training and basic construction as well as learn about various modes of transportation and safety.

"These activities help students build leadership and team-oriented skills as they discover occupational options they may not otherwise have had a chance to learn about," Watson said.

A total of 25 high school girls from Topeka and surrounding areas are taking part in the MAGIC camp. Contractors assisting with the camp include Bahm Demolition, GreenPoint Construction, BRB Contractors and Kendall Construction.