Tinkers Camp

“I want to instill mechanical curiosity!” That was the goal of Charles Holder, CEO of Hol-Mac Corporation on why he started Tinkers Camp this past summer. He went on, “The camp offered hands-on activities relating to the concepts of hydraulics, machines, electricity, welding, physics, math and drawing.”

Holder started the camp together with Jones County, MS Junior College. Twelve eighth and ninth graders from two local schools took part in the camp with each two students working together with an experienced mentor on real-world projects.

The camp was such a success that the MS Development Authority (MDA) is looking at how they roll it out throughout the state.

Who comes up with ideas like this?

Joy Foy from MDA filled me a bit on Mr. Holder, “His parents died when he was a teenager and he sent his younger sister to live with relatives but he stayed on the farm. He kept the cows milked and made a living for himself from that young age, going on to put himself through college. He has started his own business making heavy agricultural equipment and has made a very good living all these years and is a man of his word.”

We need more Charles Holders in this world!