FORT SMITH, Ark. — June 10, 2026 — The Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders (GFSAHB) is excited to welcome 50 area students to its annual Kids Construction Camp onWednesday, June 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Peak Innovation Center in Fort Smith. Designed for students in grades 4-6, the free camp introduces young people to the construction industry through hands-on learning, teamwork, and creativity. This year's campers will build their own cornhole boards while learning basic construction skills from local builders and industry professionals.
"The construction industry offers incredible career opportunities, and we want to expose students to those possibilities at an early age," said DeAnne Hankins, Executive Officer of the Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders. "This camp is a fun way for kids to experience building, problem-solving, and teamwork while interacting with professionals who work in the industry every day."
Throughout the day, campers will rotate through stations led by volunteer builders and industry representatives. The event will conclude with the "Builders' Bean Bag Challenge," a cornhole competition where campers can put their newly built projects to the test. The camp is made possible through the generous support of local businesses and community partners. Materials for the project were provided by Caperton Construction. Lunch is sponsored by Arvest Bank. Cornhole bags were donated by Godfrey & Black Fireplaces & More, and Peak Innovation Center is serving as the event host location.
Volunteer builders assisting with the camp include representatives from Cobblestone Homes, Justin Green Custom Homes, and Don Wise Construction, along with numerous industry volunteers who are donating their time to help inspire the next generation of builders.
For more information about the Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders and its workforce development programs, contact the HBA office at (479) 650-3009 or visit the association's website.
About the Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders
The Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to supporting the building industry through education, advocacy, workforce development, and community engagement. Programs such as Kids Construction Camp help introduce young people to the skilled trades and encourage interest in careers that are vital to the future of our communities.