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Kansas City’s hands-on trades camp for high school students.
The Trades Camp That’s Heating Up Kansas City
The Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) in Kansas City is a four-day, hands-on trades camp where high school students explore careers in pipefitting, plumbing, sheet metal, and electrical. Everything is provided at no cost, including tools, gear, and meals.
Applications for the 2026 camp are now closed.
Not Every Great Career Starts in a Classroom
The skilled trades offer high-paying, flexible careers that make a real difference in people’s lives every single day. MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) tradespeople design and maintain the sustainable systems that keep every building safe and comfortable. For students who want to help others, build a legacy, and earn a great living doing it, the trades are not a backup plan. They are the plan.
HMSE-KC gives students a firsthand look at what a career in the MEP trades actually feels like before committing to any path after high school.
Try the Trades
Campers rotate through pipefitting, plumbing, sheet metal, and electrical, getting real hands-on experience in each trade before deciding which path excites them most.
Everything Provided
Tools, protective gear, meals, and take-home projects are all included at no cost thanks to our national and local sponsors. Campers leave with practical skills like isometric drawing and soldering and something they built themselves.
Taught by Tradespeople
Every HMSE-KC instructor is either an active tradesperson or a union training center instructor. Campers learn directly from the people who know this work best.
Our HMSE-KC Partners
This Is Why We Started HMSE-KC:
Ready to Get Started?
Apply
Applications for the 2027 camp will open in early 2027. Complete our interest form to be the first to know when they do.
Accept
Once accepted, you will receive everything you need to know, from the camp schedule to details on meals, equipment, and more. Accepted campers will be notified in spring 2027.
Attend
Show up for four full days of hands-on MEP training, skill-building, and instruction from real tradespeople. Camp will be held in summer 2027.
What Campers and Families Are Saying
“This experience was thoroughly engaging and rewarding for my son. He came into the week considering one trade and was open to others after the unique hands-on experience. Everything was top notch; I loved seeing the entire community of the trades rally alongside one another and around these kids. What a phenomenal experience!”
— 2025 Parent
“HMSE gave me a clear vision on what my career pathway will be, also relieved stress knowing I found what I want to do with my life.”
— 2025 Camper
“Our son has to work very hard at school and doesn’t particularly enjoy it, so it was heartwarming to see him in an environment each day in which he was thriving, felt successful, and mentored by successful professionals who see the tremendous value of a career in the trades.”
— 2024 Parent
Navigate the Journey to a Skilled Career
Our summer camp partners with parents like you, who want their children to build rewarding careers in the skilled trades. Your child needs a clear path to explore hands-on trades such as sheet metal, pipefitting, plumbing, and electrical. However, limited accessible opportunities leave you both feeling uncertain about the future.
We offer the Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) Kansas City, because every student deserves career options beyond college or a cubicle.
Apply today to express your interest, wait for acceptance, and then prepare your teen for camp! Stop worrying about missed opportunities and start watching your child thrive in a fulfilling career in the trades!
See Camp in Action
2025 HMSE
2024 HMSE
2023 HMSE
Heavy Metal Summer Camp Kansas City – FAQs
1. How many students are accepted and how are they selected?
HMSE-KC accepts 30 campers per year. Selection considers age (must be 15-19 years old), with priority given to students closer to graduation, as well as genuine interest in the MEP trades. Stronger applications clearly express why the student wants to be part of camp.
2. Is there a cost to attend?
No. HMSE-KC is completely free thanks to our generous national and local sponsors. Daily breakfast and lunch are provided, with consideration for dietary restrictions and allergies. All equipment and supplies needed for hands-on projects are included. Students are not expected or required to bring anything of their own.
3. How do you ensure safety during hands-on activities?
All campers receive free personal protective equipment (PPE) through our national HMSE sponsors, including a hi-vis vest, gloves, and safety glasses. Students should wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing they don’t mind getting dirty.
4. What are the camp hours and schedule?
The 2027 camp dates and hours will be announced when applications open in early 2027. A detailed schedule will be provided to accepted campers.
5. Where is camp held and is transportation provided?
Camp locations change daily as students visit multiple union training centers, contractor offices, and vendor facilities across the Kansas City area. Accepted campers will receive exact addresses and a detailed daily schedule upon acceptance. Transportation is not provided, but MCAKC will work with any family that needs it by partnering with Kansas City nonprofits. If your family needs transportation assistance, please note it in your application.
6. I have additional questions. Who can I contact?
Reach out to Outreach Manager Kathleen Livingston or call our office at 913-948-9200.