Russell’s Building Camp, a 501c3 organization, offers youths the chance to develop hands-on skills and creativity, leading to transformative experiences.
BY CHRISTINE PREUSLER
Adrian Russell’s journey to becoming a construction industry leader and champion for youth empowerment via Russell’s Building Camp underscores both his resilience and passion for practical learning.
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Russell grew up in a bustling household of 10, navigating the challenges of poverty with the support of his family. His early introduction to construction, working hands-on alongside his father and siblings on projects around the home, ignited a lifelong passion for building and problem-solving.
“I discovered an appreciation for using my own hands to solve real problems — out of necessity, really,” Russell said. “It was through great mentors at an early age that I found my love for the construction industry.”
Russell’s journey led him to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where he pursued a degree in construction management. This laid the foundation for a 15-year career managing commercial construction projects nationwide.
“I’ve met incredible people — mentors of which I still hold very dear — and had experiences I never imagined,” Russell, director of diversity at a prominent Indiana construction company, said. “Now, I want to share that passion with young people who may or may not have had early exposure to construction.”
Establishing the Camp
In 2020, Russell founded Russell’s Building Camp, a unique initiative designed to inspire children from all backgrounds to explore the world of construction. The camp welcomes participants as young as eight, fostering an inclusive environment where gender, age and background are irrelevant.
“Our goal is simple,” Russell said. “We create an environment where kids can experience the joy of problem-solving through building, using their hands and minds.”
The camp’s daily activities blend learning and fun. They start with a hearty breakfast, a Russell’s Building Camp T-shirt, and a motivating pep talk focused on the day’s building challenges. Participants then engage in workshops ranging from tool identification to practical construction skills, often culminating in friendly competitions.
For example, students have crafted their own Jenga games from two-by-fours while wearing complete personal protective equipment (PPE), mastering the use of a tape measure and circular saw for accurate cutting. They then assemble the pieces and enjoy playing Jenga on-site, all part of an effort to make construction both enjoyable and hands-on.
“More than anything, we want a judgment-free environment where every child leaves feeling empowered,” Russell said. “And our volunteers, from industry professionals to community members, play a crucial role in making that happen.”
Russell’s Building Camp operates as a pop-up initiative just outside downtown Indianapolis, right inside of his home church, Bethel Tabernacle, allowing flexibility in reaching new groups and communities. The term “pop-up” reflects the camp’s flexibility as a passion-driven project without employees.
“We can spontaneously launch a new workshop series at any point,” Russell said. “This approach keeps our audience engaged and introduces us to new communities. Additionally, we’ve tried to adopt programming that can be brought to various locations should that need arise in the future.”
Russell credits word-of-mouth for the camp’s rapid growth, with more than 200 participants to date.
“For our first workshop, we hosted a group of 11 boys, five through 10 years old, in December of 2020,” Russell said. “We started on a project at the church because it was the only jobsite we had access to at the time. But we saw our attendance multiplying with every workshop that we held. Since then, we’ve seen that same phenomenon continue to manifest, where word of mouth keeps folks reaching out, going to the website and messaging to see how they can sign their kids up.”
Russell said the camp constantly seeks individuals who can serve as in-person or digital mentors, particularly for the camp’s high school students.
“By high school, they’re more likely to envision themselves in the industry,” Russell said. Finding mentors strengthens our mission by offering teens crucial support, opening doors to work experiences, internships (paid or unpaid) and guidance as they plan for life after high school.”
To date, several camp participants have secured industry internships and jobs. Several are currently pursuing construction degrees in college, and others will soon begin trade school. Russell said he’s proud of many campers, including Tyren Petty, a regular attendee who joined the camp at age 16. He has since started a construction internship and will study building construction management at Alabama A&M University.
“I’ll never forget the first day I met him,” Russell said. “He was working with electricians from ERMCO, one of the top electrical outfits here in Indiana, and the speed at which he was able to assemble LED fixtures and put them into place was extraordinary. From that day, he’s done nothing but amaze me.’
Watching Petty and others thrive in the industry reinforces the mission of Russell’s Building Camp: to inspire and mentor young people, guiding them toward rewarding careers in construction.
Future Plans and Needs
But despite all of its successes, Russell acknowledges the building camp’s challenges, particularly in securing funding and adequate facilities.
“As we work with a diverse group of young people and our program continues to expand, we are grateful for our current facility,” Russell said. “However, managing the program within our spatial limitations presents a significant challenge for us. We are actively seeking additional space, ideally suited for what is commonly known today as a makerspace, to accommodate our growing programming needs. We are eager to explore opportunities for expansion and would welcome any discussions on how we can achieve this.”
One upcoming initiative, Blitz the Trades, aims to partner with trade professionals to showcase the industry’s diversity and opportunities to even more young people.
“We’ll be working with as many trade partners as we possibly can — from fire protection to mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) to structural steel erectors — and we’re going to present the very best of what those careers have to offer,” Russell said. “When we say ‘Blitz the Trades,’ we mean we want to aggressively recruit young people, get them in front of our contractors and partners at ground zero and expose them to what makes that particular profession or discipline amazing.”
The event, set to launch this fall, aims to eliminate obstacles for individuals unfamiliar with various construction trades, especially those without family connections in the industry. It will actively reach out to them and showcase the industry’s appeal and opportunities. “Most of them don’t know, but I’m looking forward to unclouding it,” Russell said.
As Russell’s Building Camp sets its sights further into the future, Russell envisions expanding beyond Indianapolis, bringing the camp’s transformative impact to new communities nationwide.
“We want to collaborate with likeminded organizations and individuals who share our passion, so if there’s anyone reading this who has an interest in discussing what that might look like, we would be eager to have that conversation,” Russell said.
Parents, vendors, contractors and neighbors, among other interested individuals, can reach out via Facebook at www.russellsbuildingcamp.com to express interest in joining or expanding the program as a volunteer. Russell’s Building Camp also welcomes donations;
visit russellsbuildingcamp.com/donate to learn more.