The von Neil Herdina family, the architect of the late Fargo-Moorhead, who managed the Camp of the Herdina Construction Trades, has introduced a new non-residential fund of over $ 100,000 in order to offer the camp sustainably, long-term financial support and to expand the opportunities for participating students.
The camp, which takes place every summer in Moorhead, hires students between the ages of 15 and 20 in the construction industry. M State, the construction industry association of the Red River Valley and the house builders take care of the partner of the Fargo-Moorhead Foundation, to offer campers in practical experience and lessons in the classroom in carpentry, electrical work, sanitary, excavations and other building skills. This year's camp started on Monday and lasts until June 13th.
“This camp has a special place in many hearts due to its longevity in the community and the important role that plays it in the introduction of business to young people,” says Bryce Johnson, CEO of Building Industry Association of the Red River Valley. “The Bia is proud to be part of it from the start and to carry Neil's vision forward. It can still be felt strongly. It has laid a solid basis for the camp and we are very grateful for the support of his family.
The Herdina family was inspired to found the Herdina Family Fund after Neil's niece Hattie took part in the camp last summer. She worked side by side with contractors and other industry experts and discovered the value of the program first -hand.
“She loved the experience and at her final ceremony her grandfather Stan (Neil's father) and her mother Erin (Neil's sister) learned about the incredible commitment and hard work of the team that organizes this annual program,” the family wrote in a letter to the advisory committee of the camp. “Inspired by the stories that were shared at the event, they returned home and shared the experience with Neil's other sisters Nicole and Meaghan. As a family, we were deeply moved by the effects of the program and the challenges in securing funds and sponsorship.”
“We also couldn't help but think of Neil's mother Ann, who died in 2021,” they added. “It would have been proud to see how the camp continued to bring people together and inspire the next generation. In honor of Ann and Neil, we are obliged to ensure this important program for the coming years.”
Neil, a young architect who worked for the Roers Construction Company in Fargo, came up with the idea for the camp with Jim Roers in 1997 after noticing an emerging lack of students who entered the construction industry. In cooperation with industry specialists and the construction industry association (then Home Builders Association), they founded the Academy for Building Industry. In 1998 the first building camp was organized with great success. Neil died unexpectedly three years later at the age of 27. Since then, his colleagues, volunteer teachers and community sponsors kept the camp going and renamed it in honor of Neil in 2001.
“The Herdina Construction Trades Camp has been a practical, exploratory opportunity for young adults, worthwhile careers in the construction industry for over 20 years,” says Brooks Pederson, construction manager for construction management at M State. “As a Camp coordinator, I have the privilege of working closely with these students when they research new skills, build trust and recognize a possible future for themselves in the trades. The support of the Herdina family helps ensure that this mission can be continued in the coming years; we are really grateful at the camp.”
The Herdina Family Fund is a non-Endowment fund that was housed at the Minneapolis Foundation and was mainly created with dollars that would have been part of Neil's inheritance. The family committed at least 4,000 US dollars for the camp of this summer and asked the consulting committee and the camps of the camp to use brainstorming paths for additional funds. Your wish is the money to maintain and promote the growth of the program.
Further information on the Herdina Construction Trades Camp can be found at Minnesota.edu/academics/herdina-construal-camp.
More information about the Herdina Family Fund and a donation can be found at Herdinafamilyfund.org/.